Summary ss
.unit 2, summary
🧩 SOCIAL STRUCTURE – 5 MARK QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
1. Basic Concepts: Society, Community, Association & Institution
Society
Society is a group of people living together with shared culture, norms, values, and social relationships. It is the broadest social organization.
📘 Society – Meaning, Nature, and Characteristics
Society is not merely a gathering of individuals but a complex system of social relationships, shared norms, and mutual expectations that guide human behavior.
I. Core Definitions of Society
1. Network View
- Society is a network of social relationships and interactions.
- It emphasizes interaction rather than mere physical presence.
- People are connected through roles, status, and social ties.
2. Structural View (MacIver & Page)
- Society is a system of customs, procedures, and laws.
- These regulate human behavior and maintain order.
- Social institutions play a major role in structure and stability.
3. Organic View (C.H. Cooley)
- Society is a living and growing organism.
- All parts are interconnected.
- Change in one part affects the entire society.
II. Essential Nature of Society
Society functions through opposing yet complementary forces:
1. Likeness and Difference
- Likeness: Common needs, emotions, and goals unite people.
- Difference: Variations in skills and interests create division of labor.
2. Cooperation and Conflict
- Cooperation: People work together for common goals.
- Conflict: Differences in opinion and resources bring change and progress.
3. Static and Dynamic Elements
- Static: Traditions, customs, and cultural roots.
- Dynamic: Continuous change due to technology, education, and economy.
III. Key Characteristics of Society
-
Population
- A group of people living in a defined geographical area.
-
Interdependence
- Individuals depend on one another for survival and development.
-
Social Control
- Mechanisms such as laws, customs, religion, and morals that regulate behavior.
-
Culture
- Shared values, beliefs, traditions, and material objects.
-
Psychological Unity
- A sense of belonging or “we-feeling” among members.
IV. Key Vocabulary (Exam-Oriented)
| Term | Simple Meaning |
|---|---|
| Social Interaction | Action and reaction between individuals in society |
| Division of Labor | Distribution of work based on skills and roles |
| Social Control | Ways society enforces rules and order |
| Dynamic | Constantly changing and evolving |
| Interdependence | Mutual dependence among individuals or groups |
| Social Norms | Accepted rules and standards of behavior |
V. Conclusion
Society is a dynamic, organized system of relationships that balances cooperation and conflict, likeness and difference, and stability and change. Individuals and society are mutually dependent, shaping and influencing each other continuously.
Community
A community is a group of people living in a specific geographical area, sharing common interests and culture.
Association
An association is a voluntary group formed to achieve a specific goal (e.g., nurses association).
Institution
An institution is an established system of norms and values that fulfills basic needs of society (family, education, religion).
2. Nature of Society
The nature of society explains how society exists and functions.
- Society is abstract, not physical.
- It is based on social relationships.
- It is dynamic, always changing.
- Society is universal.
- It exists for mutual benefit of members.
3. Characteristics of Society
- Likeness and differences among members
- Interdependence
- Cooperation and conflict
- Social control through norms
- Continuous interaction
4. Community
A community is a local social group sharing a common area, culture, and lifestyle.
Characteristics
- Definite locality
- Common culture
- Sense of belonging
- Social interaction
Example: Urban community, rural community
5. Association
An association is a voluntary organization formed for a specific purpose.
Features
- Formed deliberately
- Has specific objectives
- Membership is voluntary
- Organized structure
Example: Indian Nursing Council
6. Institution
An institution is a stable system of norms and values that governs important social activities.
Examples
- Family
- Marriage
- Education
- Religion
- State
7. Characteristics of Institution
- Universal
- Stable and permanent
- Governed by norms and rules
- Satisfy basic social needs
- Socially approved
8. Functions of Institution
- Maintains social order
- Regulates human behaviour
- Transmits culture
- Fulfills basic needs
- Provides stability to society
9. Individual and Society
Individual and society are interdependent.
- Society shapes personality
- Individual contributes to social development
- No individual can live without society
- Socialization links individual to society
10. Personal Disorganization
Personal disorganization refers to failure of an individual to adjust with social norms.
Causes
- Mental illness
- Stress and frustration
- Family problems
Effects
- Deviant behaviour
- Poor social relationships
11. Social Group
A social group is a collection of people with common identity and interaction.
Types
- Primary group
- Secondary group
- Formal and informal groups
12. In-Group and Out-Group
In-Group
- Group to which a person belongs
- Feeling of “we”
Out-Group
- Group to which a person does not belong
- Feeling of “they”
13. Ethnocentrism and In-Group
Ethnocentrism is the belief that one’s own culture is superior.
- Strong in-group loyalty
- Leads to prejudice and discrimination
- Causes conflict between groups
14. Unorganized Social Groups
These are temporary and unstable groups with no fixed structure.
a) Mob
A mob is a violent, emotional crowd acting without rules.
Characteristics
- Emotional behaviour
- Lack of control
- Short-lived
b) Public
A public is a group discussing a common issue.
Features
- Rational thinking
- Spread over large area
- Connected by communication
c) Audience
An audience is a group gathered for a specific purpose (lecture, movie).
Features
- Temporary
- Passive interaction
15. Permanent Social Groups
Groups with stable membership and long duration.
a) Clan or Sib
A clan is a group of families claiming common ancestry.
Features
- Blood relationship
- Common traditions
- Found in tribal societies
b) Reference Group
A reference group is one that an individual uses as a standard for behaviour.
Example: Teachers, professionals, role models
16. Social Process
Social processes are patterns of interaction through which society functions.
Examples
- Cooperation
- Conflict
- Competition
- Accommodation
17. Conflict
Conflict is a process in which individuals or groups oppose each other.
Causes
- Competition for resources
- Differences in values
- Power inequality
Effects
- Social change
- Disorganization
18. Isolation
Isolation refers to separation of individuals from social interaction.
Types
- Physical isolation
- Social isolation
Effects
- Mental stress
- Poor adjustment
19. Socialisation
Socialisation is the process by which individuals learn social norms and values.
Characteristics
- Lifelong process
- Continuous
- Helps personality development
Process
- Learning norms
- Role learning
- Internalization
Agencies
- Family
- School
- Peer group
- Media
- Religion
20. Role of Nurse as Change Agent
Nurses act as educators and promoters of social change.
Roles
- Health education
- Behaviour modification
- Advocacy
- Community mobilization
- Cultural sensitivity
21. Urban Community
An urban community is a population living in cities and towns.
Characteristics
- Heterogeneous population
- High mobility
- Formal relationships
- Better facilities
22. Tribe
A tribe is a social group with common culture, language, and territory.
Features
- Simple lifestyle
- Strong kinship
- Traditional customs
23. Major Health Problems in Urban Areas
- Pollution-related diseases
- Lifestyle diseases (diabetes, hypertension)
- Mental stress
- Communicable diseases
- Substance abuse
🔑 SOCIAL STRUCTURE – KEY WORDS (Topic-wise)
1. Society
- Social relationships
- Shared culture
- Norms & values
- Cooperation
- Interdependence
2. Community
- Locality
- Common culture
- Sense of belonging
- Social interaction
- Common interests
3. Association
- Voluntary
- Specific purpose
- Organized structure
- Formal membership
- Goal-oriented
4. Institution
- Norms & values
- Socially approved
- Basic needs
- Stability
- Permanence
5. Nature of Society
- Abstract
- Dynamic
- Universal
- Relationship-based
- Mutual benefit
6. Characteristics of Society
- Likeness & differences
- Interdependence
- Cooperation & conflict
- Social control
- Interaction
7. Characteristics of Institution
- Universal
- Stable
- Norm-governed
- Need-fulfilling
- Regulative
8. Functions of Institution
- Social order
- Behaviour regulation
- Cultural transmission
- Stability
- Need satisfaction
9. Individual and Society
- Interdependence
- Socialization
- Personality development
- Mutual influence
- Social control
10. Personal Disorganization
- Maladjustment
- Stress
- Mental illness
- Deviant behaviour
- Poor social relations
11. Social Group
- Interaction
- Common identity
- Shared goals
- Membership
- Group consciousness
12. In-Group
- “We” feeling
- Belongingness
- Loyalty
- Cooperation
- Group identity
13. Out-Group
- “They” feeling
- Differences
- Competition
- Distance
- Conflict
14. Ethnocentrism
- Cultural superiority
- In-group bias
- Prejudice
- Discrimination
- Intolerance
15. Unorganized Social Groups
- Temporary
- Unstable
- No structure
- Emotional behaviour
- Short-lived
a) Mob
- Emotional
- Violent
- Impulsive
- Lack of control
- Temporary
b) Public
- Common issue
- Rational thinking
- Communication
- Opinion-based
- Dispersed group
c) Audience
- Purpose-oriented
- Passive
- Temporary
- Limited interaction
- Event-based
16. Permanent Social Groups
- Stable
- Long-term
- Organized
- Continuity
- Social bonds
a) Clan / Sib
- Common ancestry
- Blood relationship
- Kinship
- Tradition
- Tribal society
b) Reference Group
- Role model
- Behaviour standard
- Comparison
- Aspiration
- Guidance
17. Social Process
- Interaction
- Adjustment
- Change
- Relationship patterns
- Social continuity
18. Conflict
- Opposition
- Power struggle
- Competition
- Disagreement
- Social change
19. Isolation
- Separation
- Loneliness
- Lack of interaction
- Psychological stress
- Maladjustment
20. Socialisation
- Learning process
- Norms & values
- Role learning
- Personality formation
- Lifelong process
Agencies of Socialisation
- Family
- School
- Peer group
- Media
- Religion
21. Role of Nurse as Change Agent
- Health education
- Advocacy
- Behaviour change
- Community participation
- Cultural sensitivity
22. Urban Community
- Heterogeneity
- High mobility
- Formal relations
- Industrialization
- Urban lifestyle
23. Tribe
- Common culture
- Territory
- Kinship
- Tradition
- Simple life
24. Major Health Problems in Urban Areas
- Pollution
- Lifestyle diseases
- Mental stress
- Communicable diseases
- Substance abuse
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