unit 6 ,Social organization

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📝 Teaching Note

UNIT 06 – Social Organization and Disorganization

Topic: Meaning, Elements and Types of Social Organization

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I. Introduction

Human beings live together in society and constantly interact with one another. These interactions are organized through roles, statuses, norms, and institutions, forming what is called social organization. A well-organized society maintains balance, harmony, and social order, while failure of this balance leads to social disorganization.

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II. Meaning of Social Organization

Social Organization refers to the state of order and harmony in society, where institutions function according to their recognized or implied purposes.

Definition:
Social organization is a condition in which individual behavior is regulated in accordance with social values, norms, and expectations, ensuring social equilibrium.

• It is based on social relationships
• Society is a web of relationships
• Deviation from expected behavior causes disequilibrium
• Balance is maintained through social control mechanisms

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III. Importance of Social Organization

• Maintains social order and stability
• Regulates individual behavior
• Ensures coordination among institutions
• Promotes societal health and harmony

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IV. Characteristics of Social Organization

1. Unanimity among Members

• Agreement on values, norms, and institutions
• Absence of unanimity leads to conflict and disorder
  Example:
  Ancient caste system was stable as long as it was unanimously accepted

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2. Acceptance of Status and Roles

• Individuals differ by age, sex, ability, and status
• Roles are assigned based on social status
• Smooth functioning depends on role acceptance
  Analogy:
  Like organs in a body performing specific functions

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3. Social Control

• Society regulates behavior through:
  • Customs
  • Traditions
  • Folkways
  • Mores
  • Laws
  • Institutions
• Loss of control leads to social disorganization

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V. Basic Elements of Social Organization

1. Society

• Composed of interdependent individuals
• Dynamic and constantly changing
• Social control maintains equilibrium
• Failure of control → social disorganization
• Formal control measures are effective

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2. Culture

• Includes beliefs, values, customs, traditions
• Acts as an informal agency of social control
• Cultural practices vary across groups
• Conflict arises when culture clashes with law
  Example:
  Child marriage (culturally accepted but legally prohibited)

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3. Personality

• Total character of an individual
• Formed through social interaction
• Well-adjusted personalities promote social order
• Personality problems may lead to disorganization

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VI. Types of Social Organization

1. Family

• Oldest and most universal institution
• Basic unit of society
• Members united by marriage or blood
• Performs:
  • Biological
  • Emotional
  • Economic
  • Educational
  • Cultural functions

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2. Clan

• Group of people descended from a common ancestor
• Common surname and traditions
• Associated with a totem (symbol like animal or plant)
• Practice exogamy (marriage outside clan)

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3. Tribe

• Larger than clan
• Members share:
  • Common dialect
  • Common culture
  • Common political organization
• Headed by a tribal chief
• Strong sense of unity and solidarity

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4. Community

• Total organization of social life in a defined area
• Self-sufficient group
• Area may be local, regional, national, or global

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5. Association

• Organized group formed for specific interests
• Defined by MacIver
• Types:
  • Religious
  • Cultural
  • Political
  • Recreational
  • Professional
• Example: Government, political parties, NGOs

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VII. Conclusion

Social organization is essential for maintaining social order, harmony, and stability. It depends on effective interaction between society, culture, and personality. Breakdown in any of these elements leads to social disorganization, affecting societal well-being.

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📝 TEACHING NOTES

UNIT – 6 : SOCIAL ORGANIZATION & DISORGANIZATION

Topics Covered

1. Voluntary Association
2. Voluntary Health Agencies
3. Social System
4. Role and Status as Structural Elements of Social System

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I. VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATION

Meaning

The term Voluntarism is derived from the Latin word “Voluntas”, meaning will or freedom.
Voluntary associations are organizations formed freely by individuals to achieve common goals without government control.

• Recognized under Article 19(1) of the Indian Constitution
• Also called:
  • NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations)
  • Voluntary Agencies
  • Action Groups

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Definitions

• Prof. M.R. Inamdar:
  A voluntary organization requires strong community desire, economic viability, committed leadership, and resources.

• Michael Banton:
  “A voluntary organization is a group organized for the pursuit of one or more common interests.”

• David L. Sills:
  A voluntary organization is formed on voluntary membership without state control for common interests.

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Characteristics of Voluntary Associations

1. Registered under:
   • Societies Registration Act, 1980
   • Indian Trusts Act, 1882
   • Cooperative Societies Act, 1904
2. Definite aims, objectives, and programmes
3. Own administrative structure
4. Democratic management by members
5. Funds collected through:
   • Membership fees
   • Donations (local and foreign)

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Functions of Voluntary Associations

1. Promote social, cultural, recreational, and professional activities
2. Act as a buffer between individual and State
3. Encourage citizen participation and democracy
4. Strengthen national unity and solidarity
5. Mobilize local resources
6. Supplement government work
7. Expand development activities
8. Utilize talents and service spirit of individuals
9. Promote non-political national integration
10. Educate public on rights, duties, and welfare schemes
11. Serve special groups – aged, women, children, disabled

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II. VOLUNTARY HEALTH AGENCIES

Meaning

Voluntary health agencies play a vital role in community health programmes by providing health services, education, research, and legislative support.

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Functions of Voluntary Health Agencies

1. Supplement Government Work

   • Provide funds, manpower, and services where government resources are limited

2. Pioneering Role

   • Introduce new ideas and programmes
   • Example: Family Planning in India

3. Health Education

   • Create awareness on health and hygiene

4. Guarding Government Work

   • Guide and evaluate government health services

5. Advancing Health Legislation

   • Mobilize public opinion for health laws

6. Demonstration Projects

   • Example: Bore-hole latrines by Rockefeller Foundation

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III. SOCIAL SYSTEM

Meaning

A social system is an organized pattern of meaningful social interactions among individuals governed by norms and values.

Definition (Loomis)

Social system is the interaction of individuals whose relations are guided by shared symbols and expectations.

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Features of Social System

1. Based on social interaction
2. Interactions must be meaningful
3. Integrated parts
4. Functional relationships among parts
5. Closely related to culture
6. Dynamic and changing
7. Exists within a specific environment

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Basic Elements of Social System (Loomis)

1. Beliefs and Knowledge
2. Sentiments
3. Goals and Objectives
4. Norms
5. Status and Role
6. Rank
7. Power
8. Sanctions (Rewards & Punishments)
9. Facilities

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Types of Social Systems

1. Morgan’s Classification

• Savagery
• Barbarism
• Civilization
  Based on livelihood:
• Hunting
• Pastoral
• Agricultural
• Industrial

2. Sorokin’s Classification

• Sensate (material happiness)
• Ideational (spiritual happiness)
• Idealistic (both material & spiritual)

3. Durkheim’s Classification

• Mechanical Social System (ancient societies)
• Organic Social System (modern societies)

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IV. ROLE AND STATUS

ROLE

Meaning

Role is the expected behavior of an individual based on his position in society.

Definitions

• Lundberg: Pattern of behavior expected in a group
• Ogburn & Nimkoff: Set of duties and privileges linked to position

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Types of Roles

1. Achievement role
2. Recruitment role
3. Occupational role
4. Leadership role
5. Expressive role
6. Distributive role
7. Dependent role
8. Independent role

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STATUS

Meaning

Status refers to the position or rank of an individual in society.

Types of Status

1. Ascribed Status – by birth
2. Achieved Status – by effort

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Factors Determining Ascribed Status

• Age
• Sex
• Physical characteristics
• Family & kinship
• Caste
• Race

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Determinants of Achieved Status

• Education
• Occupation
• Wealth
• Political authority
• Marriage
• Personal achievements

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Social Significance of Status

• Provides respect and prestige
• Promotes responsibility and stability
• Rigid status system causes stress
• Flexible status system supports social health

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V. COMPARISON BETWEEN ROLE AND STATUS

Role	Status
Expected behavior	Position in society
Dynamic	Relatively stable
Varies among individuals	Ranks individuals
Leads to status	Gives prestige
Performance-based	Value-based

👉 Role and status are two sides of the same coin.

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Conclusion

Voluntary associations, social systems, roles, and statuses are essential for social organization. Proper functioning of these elements ensures social harmony, stability, and development, while their failure leads to social disorganization.

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