Sociology

Study of Human Society

 Basic Features of Society
• Society is an association that is more intricate
than an aggregation.
• It is a network of mutual stimulus and
responses.
• Building blocks (humans) themselves are
necessary, but cannot indicate everything
about society.
 Societal Needs
• Irrespective of numerous types, all societies
possess certain needs.
– Need for population (nutrition, nourishment,
protection)
– Need for specialization
– Need for solidarity
– Need for perpetuation
 1. Society
• Society is a complex of individuals united by
certain relations or mode of behavior which
mark them off from others.
 Characteristics of Society
• Society consists of people
• Mutual interaction and Mutual awareness
• Society depends on certain Likeness
• Society depends on certain Differences
• Cooperation and division of work
• Society implies interdependence
• Society is Dynamic
• Society has control
• Society depends upon gregarious nature of man
 2. Community
• Community is a social group with degree of
“we-feeling” and living in a given area.

It is the smallest territorial group that can

embrace all aspects of social life.
 Elements of Community
• The main bases of community can be
– Locality
– Sentiments
• The other aspects are
– Stability
– Naturalness
– Size of community
– Regulations, relations, customs, traditions, morals,
practices.
Differences between Society & Community

• Society is a web of social relationships.

&
• Community consists of group of individuals,
living in a particular area with some degree of
‘we-feeling’
Differences between Society & Community

• Society has no limitation of a definite

geographical area.
&
• Community always denotes a definite locality
Differences between Society & Community

• Society is abstract.
&
• Community is concrete
Differences between Society & Community

• Society may not be dependent over common

sentiments.
&
• Community sentiment is essential element of
it.
Differences between Society & Community

• Society has extensive and varied objective

&
• Community has comparatively less extensive
and varied objectives
Differences between Society & Community

• Society involves likeness as well as differences.

Common interests as well as diverse interests
are present in society.
&
• Likeness has more importance than
differences in community. Common interest
and objectives are involved in community.
 3. Association
• An organization that is formed deliberately for
collective quest for some interest, which its
members share.

Examples are:
Political associations, religious associations,
students association etc.
 Characteristics of Association
• Human group
• Organization
• Common interest
• Cooperative spirit
• Regulation of relations
• Association as agency
• Durability issues
 Difference between Association &
Community
• Membership of association is voluntary and
individuals have liberty to join or leave it.

• Community has compulsory membership,

which starts with birth of human.
 Difference between Association &
Community
• Association has specific interest.

• Community has general interest.

 Difference between Association &
Community
• Spatial aspect is not mandatory in association.

• Community is primarily identified by locality

or area.
 Difference between Association &
Community
• Association derive rules to state relationships,
roles and status.

• Community regulates relationships, roles and

status derived by customs, traditions, culture.
It has no written rule.
 Difference between Association &
Community
• Associations has generally legal status while
community doesn’t.
• Associations are stable somewhat but
community is more stable than it.
• Association is partial and is regarded as part of
community; while community is integral and
has several associations in it.
 4. Institution
• Institutions are habitual ways of living
together which have been sanctioned,
systematized, and established by the authority
of communities.
 Characteristics of Institution
• Social in nature
It is formed for collective activities.

• Universality
It is ubiquitous; present in all societies
(generally).
 Characteristics of Institution
• Institutions are standardized norms
It has prescribed ways of doing things.
Eg. Family, Religion

• Institutions are means of satisfying needs

It tells humans how to preserve, perpetuate
and express themselves.
Eg. Marriage, War
 Characteristics of Institution
• Institutions are Controlling mechanism
It has prescribed ways of doing things.
Eg. State, Religion, Courts

• Relatively Permanent
Changes come slowly and gradually. Many
institutions are rigid and enduring.
Eg. Caste, Religion.
 Characteristics of Institution
• Institutions are abstract in nature
Institutions are not external, or tangible in
nature. They neither can be stored nor can be
quantified.

• Oral or Written traditions

Institutes are primarily oral, specially in case
of primitive society. Some times they are
written too.
 Characteristics of Institution
• Synthesizing Symbols
Institutions have synthesizing symbols, material
or non-material. As a religion may have a
crescent symbol, a school may have a distinct
anthem.

• Interrelation
Institutes can’t be understood as a single entity.
For analyzing one institute, we may need to
study another institute.
 Functions of Institution
• Institution caters need satisfaction
• It controls human behavior
• It assigns roles and statuses
• It simplifies actions for individuals
• It contributes to unity and uniformity
 Association Vs Institution
• Purpose
– Association is organized group of people, fulfilling
a need
– Institution is organized way of doing things with
prescribed procedures.
 Association Vs Institution
• Association denotes membership

While Institution signifies belongingness.

 Association Vs Institution
• Association denotes membership

While Institution signifies belongingness.

 Association Vs Institution
• Individuals are building blocks in Association

Laws, rules & regulations are building blocks

of an institution.
 Association Vs Institution
• Association are established

Institutions are evolved.

 Association Vs Institution
• Association can be temporary or permanent

Institutions are relatively permanent.