What is the meaning of institution?

 An institution is a configuration or combination of behavior patterns shared by a plurality and

focused upon the satisfaction of some basic group needs.

Characteristics of Institutions:

1. Institutions are purposive

2. They are relatively permanent in their content
3. Then institution is structured
4. Each institution is a unified structure
5. The institution is necessarily value-laden

Functions of an institution:

 Do the functions of an institution differ from those of a group?

1. The objectives, goals, or purposes of an institution are the same as those of a group.
2. The functions of the group are the conceptual and external activities performed in patterned
ways by the people.
3. Besides having the specific objectives and the patterned activities of the group.

 What then are the functions of institutions?

1. Institution simplifies social behavior for the individual person.
2. Institutions, therefore, provide ready-made forms of social relations and social roles for the
individual.
3. Institutions also act as agencies of coordination and stability for the total culture.
4. Institution tends to control behavior.

There are functions of institutions which are certainly negative in their nature.

1. The major negative function of institution is the way in which they sometimes obstruct social
progress. This conversation function is two-fold:
a. The institutions sometimes conserve patterns of behavior even when the values
represented by this behavior have become outmoded.
b. They sometimes conserve social values that are quite inconsistent with the external
behavior of the majority of the people.
2. Institutions sometimes serve to frustrate the social personality of individuals.
3. Another negative function is the diffusion of social responsibility.