Social structure is defined as the stable interrelationships and patterns of organization among human beings in a society. It consists of institutions that establish roles and statuses for individuals. A social structure includes a normative system that defines values and behaviors, a position system that assigns roles, and a sanction system that enforces norms. A social structure is dynamic and can change over time as it works to integrate individuals and anticipate future roles through a system of cultural patterns, subgroups, and both formal and informal relationships.

1. Social structure, definition and meaning
• When men relate themselves to each other
• They establish a structure, form
• Every society has pattern of organization
composed of structures
• Associations of men with each other
Johnson
• Structure- stable inter relationships among
the parts.

2. • Social structure- inter related acts of members.
Rad cliff Brown:
• Components of structure- human beings
• Structure- arrangement of persons in
relationship.
• Institutionality defined, regulated.

3. • Talcott parsons:
• Arrangement of inter related institutions,
agencies social patterns statuses and roles.
• Features or nature of elements of social
structure:
• Normative system:
• Ideas ,values
• Individuals perform roles according to norms

4. • Position system:
• Statuses, roles of individuals
• Individuals fulfill desires if roles assigned
according to capacities.
• Sanction system
• for enforcement of norms
• Integration of parts depends on conformity.
• Sanction system helps stability

5. • System of anticipated responses:
• Anticipatory preparation for future roles
• Gives him good training
• He learns to fulfill the duties
• Action system:
• Members to be prepared to accept a role and
act accordingly.
• Goals to be arrived at by social structure

6. • Nature:
• An abstract phenomena
• Associations ,institutions are units
• Associations ,institutions- inter related
• Social structure –external aspect of society
• Social structure maintained for a time and changes.
• No structure permanent, stable.
• Structure dynamic.
• Understood by functional approach
• Social structure- differentiation of
individuals,classes,roles

7. • Social structure- network of relations
• Social structure-cultural patterns of
knowledge,beliefs.
• It includes subgroups,norms,values.
• Formal and informal social structure:
• Formal structure - legality of authority
- hierarchy in office
- reward and communication
- large organisations
-administrative ,political
economic etc.

8. • Informal structure:
• Not in regular order
• They lack objectiveness
• Authority rest on primary group
• Informal relations among position leaders.