The document defines social structure and its key components. Social structure refers to the pattern and arrangement of institutions, organizations, statuses, and roles that make up a society. It establishes expectations for behavior and interaction. Statuses define positions in society, while roles are the behaviors associated with each status. Social structure includes primary groups with close ties and secondary groups for more impersonal interactions. It provides stability and order across generations in a society.

1. Concept, characteristics
and components of
social structure

2. • Structure helps us know what is expected of us
• Ensures stability from one generation to the
next even though the actual society changes
• Social structure: network of interrelated statuses
and roles.

3. • Social structure is a framework consisting of social
institutions (political, educational and religion), social
practices (roles and statues) and social groups (primary
and secondary).
• Social interaction is the process by which people act
toward or respond to other people and is the
foundation for all relationships and groups in society.
• It establishes a society and applies limits on behavior.
• It refers as the way in which a society is organized.
• It is a collection of people and relations in a specific
geographical area.

4. • The concept of social structure has been defined in
different ways by different thinkers and sociologists.
• According to Moris Ginsberg social structure is
concerned with the principal form of social
organization, i.e. types of groups, associations and
institutions and the complex of these which constitute
societies. Social structure thus refers to the pattern and
arrangement of institutional agencies and
organizations.

5. • Herbert Spencer was the first thinker who wrote
about structure of a society. He came up with
biological analogies (organic structure and
evolution) to define the social structure.
• According to Radcliff-Brown social structure is a
part of the social structure of all social relations of
person to person. In the study of social structure the
concrete reality with which we are concerned is the
set of actually existing relations at a given moment
of time that link together certain human beings.

6. Characteristics
of social
structures

7. • The structure of a society
refers to the way society in
organized.
• Society is organized into:
 Institutions
 Social groups
 Status
 Roles

9. Social Institutions
• Social institution is a set of organized belief and rules
that establishes how a society will attempt to meet its
basic social needs. A institution is an established and
enduring pattern of social relationship. The five
traditional institutions are:

10. • Formal organizations- a highly structured group
formed for the purpose of completing certain
takes or achieving specific goals. For examples:
United Methodist church
Bank of America
Goodwill
CNN
Pfizer
Department of labor

11. It is groups of people in which they interactions
and relationships. Or, it may be defined as two or
more people who interact with one another, share
similar characteristics and collectively have a sense
of unity.

13. • Primary groups are characterized by intimate and
informal interaction. It is the most fundamental
unit of human society. A long-lasting group,
characterized by strong ties of love and
affection. Do’s and don’ts of behavior learned
here.
Examples: Families, Gangs, Cliques, Play Groups,
Friendship Groups

14. • Secondary groups are task oriented and characterized
by impersonal and formal interaction. Groups with
which the individual comes in contact later in life.
characterized by impersonal, business-like, contractual,
formal and casual relationship. usually large in size,
not very enduring and limited relationship. People
needed other people for the satisfaction of their
complex needs.
 Examples: Industrial worker, business associates,
faculty staff, company employees.

15. Primary group
• Generally small
• Relatively long period of
interaction
• Intimate, face-to-face
association
• Some emotional depth to
relationships
• Cooperative friendly
Secondary group
• Usually large
• Relatively short duration,
often temporary
• Little social intimacy or
mutual understanding
• Relationships generally
superficial
• More formal and impersonal

17. • A status is socially defined position in society
characterized by certain expectation, rights, and
duties.
• Social status, also called status, the relative rank
that an individual holds, with attendant rights,
duties, and lifestyle, in a social hierarchy based
upon honor or prestige.

19.  Ascribed status: is a social position conferred at birth
or received involuntarily later in life, based on
attributes over which the individual has little or no
control.
 Achieved status: is a social position a person assumes
voluntarily as a result of personal choice, merit, or
direct effort.

21.  Statuses are social categories but roles bring
statuses to life.
 You occupy a status- you play a role.
 The set of rights, obligations, and expectations
associated with a status.
 Roles guide our behavior and allow us to
predict the behavior of others.

22. Reciprocal Roles: define interaction with other. Can’t
fulfilled alone. Example: you can’t perform the role of
husband without a wife.
Examples of reciprocal roles:
 Doctor-Patient Athlete-Coach
 Employee-Boss Friend-Friend
 Role Expectation: a group or society’s
definition of the way a specific role ought to be
played. Example: doctors treat their patients with
skill

23. Role Performance: how a person actually plays a role.
Role conflict: conflict between statuses. Example:
working fulltime and having young children at home.
Role strain: difficulty meeting the role of a single
status. Example: Boss trying to motivate employees
while having to lower their salaries.

24. • Social structure: network of
interrelated statuses and
roles.
• Status: defines where you fit
in society.
• Ascribed status: assigned
• Achieved status: role you
achieve through your own
efforts.
• Master status: one rank that
determines your social
identity.
• Role: you play-bring
statuses of life.
• Reciprocal roles: define
interaction with others.
• Role Expectation: socially
determined expected
behaviors.
• Role conflict: conflict
between statuses.
• Role strain: difficulty
meeting the role of a single
status.