Social Structure of the Society

?MINISTERY OF EDUCATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS Belarus State Economic University REFERAT hearty STRUCTURE OF THE SOCIETY Minsk 2008 What is affable anatomical structure of the parliamentary procedure? whatsoever exceptt has its structure. As the noun structure is rendered as , , , structure is defined as in operation(p) interdependence of elements constituting the system of an object. The club has kindly structure. The design of cordial structure was pi whizzered by G. Simmel, then developed by K. Marx, E.Durkheim unless became near known due to T. Parsons who created structural functionalism. in that location ar assorted approaches to examine affable structure of the nightclub simply they didnt avoid curve of structural functionalism in both sort. Due to the functionalist perspective, cordial structure is the carcass of a tender wholly ( nine or its part) the elements of which argon invariable in while, interdependent of all(prenominal) former(a) and amplely determine the functioning of the whole in ordinary and its members in feature.The focus is made on both(prenominal)(prenominal)(prenominal) interdependence its like a ho apply contemplate virtu al 1y brick off the w all in all and the whole building may ruin, and function take a log it raise be burnt to get partial(p) or used as construction real to build a house. In other words, structural functionalism analyzes parts of the sight of magnitude in cost of their purpose within the whole. Its clear that friendly structures of ancient and contemporary societies differ from each(prenominal) other.This difference is caused by diachronic changes taking plant in the gild although the structure presents a stock-still carcass, it is lasting or invariable only for a definite period of magazine, and historically it changes. societal structure is qualitative authoritativety of the association which doer that change in structure leads to radical, qualitat ive change in the lodge. Structure ensures stability infallible for the functioning of associated kindly elements which accumulate quantitative changes up till the jiffy when they turn to quality, and a need for structural changes in the accessible object rises.For instance, development of the bourgeoisie and p government agencytariat as classes and stageation of innovative traffic of intersection lead to a bourgeoisie revolution and change of the socio-economic system. societal structure is characterized by the foldepressioning master(prenominal) attri plainlyes hierarchy vertical and plane arrangement of structural elements which is based on their unequal access to authority, income, societal p stay onige etceteratera interconnection of structural elements which is realized through substitute of resources, information, sharing value etc. divers(prenominal)iation into the smallest elements and their integration into the whole flexibility, potentiality to chan ge so it is an important part of the management. Traditionally, theorists identify the following shells of mixer structure socio-demographic, socio-class, socio-ethnic, socio-professional, socio-confessional etc. No doubt, either complaisant object has its structure.For instance, at analyzing a labour collective we may consider employees within the socio-professional structure those who got stakeary, vocational and blue uper education, scientific qualifications, representatives of various professions, specializations, their levels of qualification. The socio-demographic structure suggests analysis of employees consort to the age and gender the young up to 30, middle-aged, those of pre-pension and pension age, males and females. There ar different fibres of loving structure. A famous Russian theorist M. N. Rutkevich identifies trio assholeonic fibres.The first bingle characterizes the process of historical development of mankind, i. e. a global structure of pitying society consisting of nations, evinces and their various associations. The second type comprises relations between various celestial beas or subsystems of societal brio. The third type comprises relations between well-disposed sorts and other communities of mint. The last both types think over nigh pin downtled approaches to consider loving structure. In mixer structures of the second type their elements atomic act 18 perspectiveed as comparatively independent subsystems or spheres of friendly emotional state (politics, saving etc).Their flesh is a point for debate. For instance, G. Hegel and F. Engels spoke of politics, economy and family modern theorists recognize four spheres culture, politics, legislation and economy although they dont deny that other spheres potbelly to a fault be seen in religion, attainment or in family. Any route, less debated is a sighting of the Russian detective A. I. Kravchenko who divides the society into economic, political , social and spiritual spheres. Economic sphere entangles four types of activities production, distribution, commute and con shopping centerption. It provides eans for increasing the material welf be of the society autographprises, banks, commercializes, gold flows and the like that enables the society to use available resources (land, labour, capital and management) in order to produce the get of goods and services sufficient enough to live up to muckles all-important(a) needs in food, shelter and empty. About 50% of the economically combat-ready population take part in the economic sphere as the young, old, disabled do non produce material wealth. But indirectly 100% of the population participate in the economic sphere as consumers of created goods and services.Political sphere includes the head of the terra firma and the state bodies much(prenominal)(prenominal) as government and parliament, local bodies of power, the army, the police, taxation and customs bodies w hich unneurotic constitute the state and political parties which atomic snatch 18 not part of the state. Its nonsubjective is to realize the goals of the society to ensure the social order, definetle conflicts arisen between partners (employers, employees and trade unions), defend the state frontiers and sovereignty, impose new laws, collect taxes etc.But its important objective is to juralize ship bottomal of struggle for power and defend the power finded by a busy class or concourse. The objective of political parties is to licitly defend the diversified political interests of different, really often opposite, assortings of the population. Spiritual sphere includes culture, scholarship, religion and education and their artifacts much(prenominal) as monuments and establishments of culture, pieces of arts, explore and learning basiss, temples and cathedrals, mint candy media etc.If science is aimed at discovering new knowledge in various spheres, education sho uld translate this knowledge to the future generations in a virtually effective right smart, for schools and universities ar built, new programs and teaching methods atomic number 18 worked out, dependent teachers argon trained. Culture is designed to create values of arts, exhibit them in museums, galleries, libraries etc. Culture overly comprises religion which is considered the pivot of spiritual culture in any society as it gives sentiency to human life and determines basic moral norms.sociable sphere emb racecourses classes, social layers, nations associated by their relations and interactions. The stipulation sphere of the society is understood as narrow and wide-eyed. In its wide meaning the social sphere is a nitty-gritty of schemes and establishments that argon in charge of the populations wealth they argon shops, transport content, common and consumer services, establishments of catering, medicine, communication, leisure and recreation. Thus, as such the soci al sphere covers almost all classes and layers the rich, the poor and the middle class.In its narrow meaning the social sphere is designed for the members of the society who argon regarded as socially unprotected (pensi adeptrs, lazy, with low incomes or with many children etc) and the establishments that provide their service, namely, the bodies of social security (including social insurance) of both local and national subordination. In this case, the social sphere is designed for the poorer layers of the population. There atomic number 18 other approaches as to the number of parts or spheres of the society but they atomic number 18 all united by a view that social subsystems cannot exist as isolated.They are arranged in a mannikin of relationships that, in concert, make the system. The social naturally penetrates into the productive and managerial spheres since sight of different nationalities, ages, sexes and confessions can work together at an effort, on the one hand. On the other hand, if the countrys economy doesnt come its main objective to satisfy the population with the sufficient amount of goods and services, the number of jobs doesnt increase, at that side may arise negative consequences in the society.For instance, the money is short to pay wages and pensions, unemployment appears, the living standards of the socially unprotected layers are decreasing, crimes are increasing etc. In other words, success or recession in one sphere has a great figure out on prosperity in the other one. The third type of social structure is best developed by structural functionalists who assert that structure arises out of face-to-face interactions of slew. Interactions make up patterns which are independent of the cross individualist, because patterns are determined by social norms and values of the stipulation society. For instance, soul needs money.He can earn it, but if in some society plunkbery or burglary is not disapproved of, he may rob someone to reach the purpose. So patterns exert a force which shapes demeanour and identity. Thats why T. Parsons and his supporters define social structure as the route in which the society is organized into inevitable relationships, or invariable patterns of social interaction called designs. social structure does not concern itself with the stack forming the society or their social organizations, neither does it study who are the people or organizations forming it, or what is the ultimate goal of their relations. friendly structure deals rather with the very(prenominal) structure of their relations how they are organized in a pattern of relationships, or presentation. So due to structural functionlism, structural elements of the society are social institutions and social classifyings structural units are social norms and values. Social conclaveings and communities Social sortings are social sorts, social classes and layers, communities, social organizations, social posture es and consumptions. A sort out is a number of people or things which we class together, so that they form a whole. In our minds we could gathering any pastiche of people together.For instance, you could theme together Phillip Kirkorov, your nearest relative, the individual who sat opposite you last time you were on a bus, Santa Clause and a shop-assistant from the Hippo bell ringeret in Serebryanka. But a social congregation, however, promoter more(prenominal) than just an assortment of people. There must be something to hold them together as a whole. To be a social group, people must interact with one another, perceive themselves as a group. Social group is an assortment of people associated by a socially authoritative distinction, people who interact together in an orderly way and perceive themselves or perceived by others as a group.Any social group is characterized by a number of attributes interaction within a group is realized on the basis of shared norms, values a nd expectations about one anothers behaviour groups develop their own internal structure kernel and periphery, norms, value, spotes and roles they can be rigid and white-tie or loose and flexible thither is a sense of lasting, individuals identify with the group outsiders are distinguish from members and tempered differently groups are formed for a purpose specific or diffuse eople in a group tend to be similar, and the more they participate, the more similar they amaze. There are a lot of classifications of social groups. The first one embraces statistical and real groups. A statistical group is an assortment of people secern by a definite distinction that can be measured. For instance, citizens are people living in glob get uptlements called cities. A real group possesses a number of characteristics describing its immanent essence.So, citizens are people living in cities, who live an urban way of life with highly diversified labour (mainly industrial and information kin ds) and leisure activities, with high professional and social mobility, high frequency of human contacts in imposing communication etc. According to this definition, only a part of the statistical group of citizens comply with the criterion of organism urbanites, or not everyone who lives in metropolis can belong to the real group of citizens. Another type is a denotation group as any group we use to evaluate ourselves, but it doesnt necessarily mean we must belong to it.It is like a target group in the food market a target group of black BMW cars is composed of people with high income, of a certain age, males etc. David is a somebody with such characteristics but he doesnt like BMWs. He prefers Volvos. The normative function of the reference group is to set and enforce standards of conduct and belief. Its comparison function is viewed as a standard by which people can measure themselves or others. For instance, we study confessional groups to examine some features, lets say, Je ws and Protestants, and find out that Jews viewing 20% greater tolerance.So if you are a Jew, youre perceived by others as a more tolerant someone. Social groups can also be classified check to their surface, character of organization, worked up depth, unadulterated objective etc. According to size, groups can be small, middle-sized and large ones. teentsy social groups, normally small in number, are characterized by human interactions in the form of direct contacts like in families. The smallest groups are inactive and more constraining, but offer more intimacy and individuality. As size increases, freedom increases, but intimacy declines and the emerging group structure tends to place individuality.Contacts are frequent and intensive members take each other into billhook as they group together on the basis of shared norms, values and expectations about one anothers behaviour. As more people are added to the group (up to 20), complexity increases, subdivisions appear. Midd le-sized social groups are relatively stable communities of people working at the same enterprise or organization, members of a social association or those sharing one contain but large enough territory, for example, people living in one district, city or region. The first type is called labour-organizational groups, the second one territorial groups. quite a slender are united into labour-organizational groups to accomplish a certain purpose or objective that determines its com personate, structure and type of activities, inter face-to-face interaction and relations. Large social groups are stable numerous collections of people, who act together in socially significant situations in the context of the country or state, or their unions. They are classes, social layers, professional groups, ethnic groupings (nationalities, nations and races), demographic groupings (the young, the old, males and females) etc. With regard to all of them, a social group is a patrimonial, collective c oncept. wads affiliation to a large group is determined by a number of socially significant distinctions such as class affiliation, demographic factors, form and character of social activities etc. In large social groups, interaction bears both direct and indirect character. According to the character of organization, groups are distinguished as formal and cosy ones. Formal groups are collections of people whose activities are regulated by formal documents such as legislative norms, charters, instruction manual, registered rules, bans or permissions sanctioned by the society, organization etc.At playacting some activities members of the formal group are in terms of subordination, or hierarchically structured submission. Such groups are academic groups, labour organizations, soldiers units etc. Informal groups dont receive formally registered rationality for their existence. They are formed on the basis of common interests or values, respect, personal mettle etc. which cohere individuals into more or less stable entities such as a group of friends, a musical band, net profit chatters etc. Behaviour of their members is regulated by special non-written laws and rules.In such groups membership is voluntary, and members may resign at any time. Due to emotional depth of interrelations within the group, primitive and collateral groups are separate. A primary group is, as a rule, a small social group whose members share personal and enduring emotional relations which are naturalized on the basis of direct contacts reflecting the members personal characteristics. The examples are a family, a group of friends, a research group etc. A secondary group is a large and impersonal social group whose members lock a special interest or activity.In such a group peoples ability to perform particular functions, not their personal qualities, is highlighted. This is the way that social organizations with their departments and job hierarchy are set up and function. The p ersonality of any of its member is of very little consequence for the organization. As roles in the secondary group are strictly flash-frozen (John is a student, Mr. Brown is the doyen), very often its members know too little about each other. anyway, in the social organization of an enterprise, both roles and ways of communication are fixed.If a student is in trouble, he cant apply straight to the University rector but first to the tutor, dean or prorector, then to the rector. While studying human society sociologists are interested in larger groups of people at the meso and macro-levels, or those ones called social communities. There are a lot of definitions of such a phenomenon but theorists agree that members of the community should possess a similar quality such as age, gender, job, nationality etc. and consider similarity as one of the main distinctions of the community.Examples are natural-historical communities like tribes, families, nationalities, nations and races mass groups like crowds, TV audience etc. A more important distinction of the social community is social interaction between its members. Interactions may be more enduring that determines a long-term existence of communities such as nations, races, and less enduring that is ordinary for everyday communities such as crowds, lines, passengers etc. But even occasional community with weak ties has its patrimonial and specific distinctions, regulating collective behaviour.Besides similarity and social interaction, a social community also suggests that the actions undertaken by its members are oriented by expectations of behaviour of other individuals in the community. It encourages peoples deeper solidarity that forms a cohered group a basic element of the society. sound judgment by it, a social community may be defined as natural or social grouping of people characterized by a common feature, more or less enduring social relations, goal attainment, common patterns of behaviour and specu lation. A social class is also considered as a structural element of the society.Although approaches differ, in general the concept of a class is connected with peoples relation to the means of production and character of acquiring wealth under a market economy. The known examples of a class are the nobility, bourgeoisie and proletariat. In each class society there are heavy and non-fundamental classes. Fundamental classes are distinguished by a dominating way to produce material wealth within the socio-economic system (feudal, capitalist etc), for instance, under capitalism its fundamental classes are the bourgeoisie and proletariat.Non-fundamental classes are available because the rests of the previous relations of production are still kept in the society or new ones are emerging. A social layer is an assortment of people who are distinguished by their social stipulation and who perceive themselves cohered by this community. A social status is ones position (place) in the social structure of the society connected with other positions by the system of well(p)s and obligations. The status of a teacher has its meaning only with regard to a student, not to a passer-by or doctor.The teacher should translate knowledge to the student, fracture up how knowledge is learnt and assess it etc. The student should regularly give ear lectures, prepare for seminars, pass credits and examinations in time etc. In other words, the teacher and the student enter into social relationships as representatives of 2 large social groups, as bearers of social statuses. Social status is often considered as the standing, the honour or prestige attached to ones position in the society.In modern societies, occupation is normally thought of as the main dimension of status, but even in modern societies other memberships or affiliations (such as ethnic groups, religion, gender, voluntary associations, hobby) can have an influence. For instance, a doctor will have a high status than a factory worker but in some societies a white Anglo-Saxon Protestant doctor will have a higher status than an immigrant doctor of minority religion. Every person can have several social positions, or statuses called by R. Merton a status set.Among them there must be the main status it is a status used by the individual to identify himself or by other people to indentify a definite person. For males it is their occupation (a lawyer, banker, worker), for females it is a place of living (a housewife) but there exist other variants. It means that the main status is of relative character as it is not directly associated with gender, race or occupation. The main status is one that determines the persons way and style of life, patterns of behaviour, friends etc.Sociologists differentiate between social and personal statuses social status identifies the persons position in the society which he occupies as a representative of a large social group (occupation, class, nationality, gender, age o r religion) personal status is the persons position in a small group identified by how the members of the group estimate and percieve him due to his personal qualities. Being a leader or outsider, winner or loser means to occupy a certain position in the system of interpersonal, not social relations. placementes are also distinguished as ascribed and achieved ones. Ascribed status is a social status a person is given from birth or assumes involuntarily later in life. For example, a person born into a wealthy family has a high ascribed status. Achieved status is a sociological term denoting a social position that a person assumes voluntarily which reflects personal skills, abilities, and efforts. Examples of achieved status are existence an Olympic athelete, a criminal, or a teacher. Achieved statuses are distinguished from ascribed statuses by virtue of being earned.Most positions are a mixture of movement and ascribment for instance, a person who has achieved the status of being a doctor or lawyer in Western societies is more likely to have the ascribed status of being born into a wealthy family. The mentioned statuses are considered basic statuses which include affinity, demographic, economic, political and occupational statuses. There are also a number of non-basic statuses such as those of a passer-by, driver, reader, TV-watcher, witness of a road fortuity etc.They are temporal positions and their rights and obligations are not registered as they are hardly fixed. No doubt, the status of a professor determines much in life of a certain person as for his status of a patient, it does not. If a social status identifies a particular position of an individual in a given social system, a social role represents the way that he is expected to behave in a particular social situation. Each individual plays many roles in the society in one situation he is a boss, in another a friend, in the third father etc. All roles that a person plays are called a role set. a ffairs are identified as ascribed if we are forced to play and as achieved if we choose to play them. The first is a role of a son or daughter in relations with a parent, the second a subordinate with a boss. Roles have two further dimensions the prescribed aspect of a role, or role expectations, and role performance. The prescribed element in any role provides a norm-based manikin governing the way people are generally supposed to interact. People expect one conduct from a banker and quite another from an unemployed person. Role performance is what a person eally performs within this framework. Each time a person who performs a certain role builds his behaviour according to the expectations of the social milieu. If his actual behaviour differs from what is expected, it means that conformity to culturally get roles and socially supported norms is not created. Behaviour, which doesnt correspond to the status, is not considered an give up role. For instance, if somebody came int o the classroom, introduced himself as a teacher but then started film the wall or washing the windows, his behaviour is a role but not that of a teacher.In the society various social delay mechanisms exist to restore conformity or to segregate the nonconforming individuals from the rest of society. These social control mechanisms range from sanctions imposed informally for example, sneering and small talk to the activities of certain formal organizations, like schools, prisons, and mental institutions. Social institutions Another structural element of the society is social institutions. These are not buildings, but organizations, or mechanisms of social structure, governing the behaviour of two or more people.Institutions are identified with a social purpose and permanence, transcending individual human lives and intentions. For example, the institution of the family and join, of religion etc. American sociologist Erving Goffman (1922-1982) asserts that an institution is a pl ace, like a building, in which activity of a particular kind regularly goes on. He uses this term for somewhere that embraces everything that its inhabitants do where they live, work, play, sleep, day in day out. Members of the society have a similar mental concept of right and wrong, order and relationships, and patterns of good (positive values).As the broadest organizers of individuals beliefs, drives and behaviours, social institutions evolved to address separate needs of the society, for instance, the legions institution evolved out of the need for defense. Each society has a number of needs but those of fundamental character are only five. Consequently, there are five fundamental social institutions ensuring social needs in procreation of the population (that of the family and mating) social order and defense (the state, political institutions) acquire means for existence (the production, economic institutions) translating knowledge, socialization of the growing-up enerati ons, training personnel (education in its broad meaning including science and culture) solving spiritual problems, looking for sense of life (religion). So social institutions can be defined as organized patterns of beliefs and behaviours centered on basic social needs, adapting to specific element of the society in question. American sociologist T. Veblen is the founding father of institutionalization as he was a first to give a detailed description of social institutions in his book, The opening of the Leisure Class (1899).He headed that evolution of the society is a process of natural selection of social institutions which by their nature present habitual ways to react to stimuli created by external changes. archaeozoic mankind is known for promiscuity or non-regulated sex relations that could impression in genetic degeneration. Gradually such relations began to be limited by bans. The first ban was that of incest, forbidding sex between kinship relatives, such as mother an d son, brother and sister etc. The given ban is the first social norm, considered the most important in history.Later, other norms regulating sex relations appeared. People learnt to survive and adapt to life by organizing their relations with norms. Norms of family and marriage behaviour translated from generation to generation became collective habits, customs, traditions that regulated peoples way of life and their thinking. Those who broke such traditions (deviants) were punished (sanctioned). This is the way how the most ancient social institution of the family and marriage might have emerged.And this is the way why norms and values have become structural units of the society. There are three terms to be differentiated in the related area such as institute, institution and institutionalization. To institute something is to bring it into use, set it up, or establish it by practice. A father might speak of instituting some changes in his family, perhaps forcing the children to be respectful, and not giggle at his words. An institute may be something that has been set up, for example, an association of women calls itself the Womens Institute.If institution is spoken about, it is meant a totality of customs or practices that was open up by the members of a particular society, by God, or just an set up and respected practice (with no reference to its origin). Institutions are used about parts of the society, not the whole. As a society is created by the interaction of people, they establish ways of interacting that are agreeable or unacceptable. When a way of behaviour is both emotionally material and leads to rewards from others, it becomes institutionalized.The way by which behaviour, custom or practice is institutionalized, is called institutionalization. For instance, institutionalization of any science means working out various standards, laws, setting up research institutes, laboratories, faculties, departments at universities, also publishing textbo oks, monographs and journals, training specialists in the area etc. Thus, the concept of a social institution defines an aggregate of people whose activities in a certain area are regulated with inflexible systems of social, legal or other controls by organizations originally created for beneficial purposes and intents.As any structure, it is presented by its structural elements although some sociologists argue against, defining them as attributes. geomorphological elements of the societys fundamental institutions Institutions Fundamental roles Physical features Symbolic features Family and marriage Mother Father Child House Plot of land piece of furniture Rings Engagement Marriage ceremony Economy Employer Employee Seller purchaser Enterprise Office Shop Bank Money Securities Trade mark Marketing Politics Head of the state Member of parliament Law-maker heart-to-heart of law Public buildings and places Flag Constitution Hymn Law theology Priest Parishioner Bishop CathedralChur ch Chapel Christ Bible cheque Education Teacher Student Professor School University Textbook efficiency Diploma Degree At the same time fundamental institutions are divided into smaller units called non-fundamental institutions. For instance, economy cant operate without such practices as production, distribution, market, management, accounting, etc. the institution of the family and marriage includes such practices as martenity, blood feud, give tongue to brotherhood etc. So non-fundamental institutions are social practices or customs, for example, vendetta or celibacy can be identified either as a tradition or settled practice.Both are right as the fundamental institution includes both traditions and practices. If the purpose of fundamental institutions is to satisfy the basic needs of the society, non-fundamental institutions perform specialized objectives, serve particular traditions or satisfy non-fundamental needs. For instance, a higher school as a social institution mee ts the social need in training highly competent specialists. By its character of organization, institutions are subdivided into formal and informal ones. The activities of formal institutions are regulated by strictly settled directions such as law, charter, instructions etc.Formal institutions are often bureaucracies in which the functions of bureaucrats are impersonal, i. e. that their functions are performed independently of their personal qualities. In informal institutions playing a very important role in interpersonal interaction, their aims, methods, means to achieve objectives are not settled formally and not fixed in the charter. For instance, organizing their leisure time, teenagers follow their rules of game, or norms which allow them to solve conflicts. But these norms are fixed in public opinion, traditions or customs, in other words, in informal sanctions.Very often public opinion or custom is a more efficient means to control an individuals behaviour than legislative laws or other formal sanctions. For instance, people prefer being punished by their formal leaders than being blamed by colleagues or friends. Both formal and informal institutions have functions. To function means to bring benefit. So, the function of a social institution is the benefit that it contributes to the society. In other words, the outcomes or end-products of the system, institution and the like are referred to as its function.If withal benefit there is damage or harm, such actions are referred to as dysfunction. For instance, the function of a higher education is to train highly qualified specialists. If the institution functions badly due to some circumstances (lack of personnel, poor teaching, or methodical and material basis), the society will not get specialists of the undeniable level. It means that the institution dysfunctions. Functions and dysfunctions can be plain if they are formally declared, perceived by everybody and obvious, and latent which are hidden, or not declared.To manifest functions of a secondary school those of getting literacy, enough knowledge to enter university, vocational training, learning basic values of the society may be referred to. Its latent functions are getting a definite social status which enables to become ranked higher than those who are illiterate, making stable friends etc. Functions and dysfunctions are of relative, not of absolute character. Each of them can have two forms manifest and latent. In one and the same time both a function and dysfunction may be manifest for some members of the society and latent for the other ones.For instance, some people consider important to obtain fundamental knowledge at university, others to establish necessary links and relations. potential functions differ from dysfunctions by that they dont bring harm. They only show that the benefit from any institution (system etc) can be larger than it is declared. To sum it up, each of the institutions reflects a differe nt aspect of the society. Each of them performs a different role in the society fostering spiritual, social, or educational development. On a larger scale, these organizations exemplify the links that bind a society together.BASIC CONCEPTS Achieved status a social position that a person assumes voluntarily which reflects personal skills, abilities, and efforts. Ascribed status a social position a person is given from birth or assumes involuntarily later in life. Class an assortment of people united by their relations to the means of production and character of acquiring wealth under a market economy. Dysfunction bring harm. Flexibility a capacity to change. Formal group a collection of people whose activities are regulated by formal documents such as legislative norms, charters, instructions, egistered rules, bans or permissions sanctioned by the society, organization etc. Function bring benefit. Informal group a group formed on the basis of common interests or values, respe ct, personal affection etc. which cohere individuals into more or less stable entity. Institutionalization the way by which behaviour, custom or practice is institutionalized. Large social group a stable numerous collection of people who act together in socially significant situations in the context of the country or state, or their unions. Latent function a function if it is not formally declared, perceived by people or obvious.Main status a status used by an individual to identify himself or by other people to indentify a definite person. Manifest function a function if it is formally declared, perceived by everybody and obvious. Middle-sized group a relatively stable community of people who work at the same enterprise or organization, members of a social association or those sharing one limited but large enough territory. Personal status a persons position in a small group identified by how the members of the group estimate and percieve him due to his personal qualities. c onvinced(p) element (role expectation) what provides a norm-based framework governing the way people are generally supposed to interact. Primary group a small social group whose members share personal and enduring emotional relationships which are naturalized on the basis of direct contacts reflecting the members personal characteristics Real group any group of people possessing a number of characteristics describing its immanent essence. Reference group any group one can use to evaluate oneself, but it doesnt necessarily mean one must belong to it.Role performance what a person really performs within the norm-based framework. Role set all roles that a person plays. Secondary group a large and impersonal social group whose members pursue a special interest or activity. Social community a natural or social grouping of people characterized by a common feature, more or less enduring social relationships, goal attainment, common patterns of behaviour and speculation. handsome group a group normally small in number, characterized by human interactions in the form of direct contacts like in families.Social group an assortment of people cohered by a socially significant distinction, people who interact together in an orderly way and perceive themselves or perceived by others as a group. Social institution organized patterns of beliefs and behaviours centered on basic social needs, adapting to specific instalment of the society an organization, or mechanism of social structure, governing the behaviour of two or more individuals a totality of customs or practices that was established by the members of a particular society, by God, or just an established and respected practice.Social layer an assortment of people who are distinguished by their status and who perceive themselves cohered by this community. Social role the way that a person is expected to behave in a particular social situation. Social status a persons position in the society which he occup ies as a representative of a large social group.Social structure the carcass of a social whole (society or its part) the elements of which are invariable in time, interdependent of each other and largely determine the functioning of the whole in general and its members in particular (functionalist perspective) the way in which the society is organized into predictable relationships, patterns of social interaction. Statistical group a group of people differentiated by a definite characteristic that can be measured. Status set the number of statuses which a person has or acquired. Structure functional interdependence of elements constituting the carcass of an object.Additional literature 1. Blau P. Exchange and Power in Social Life. (3rd edition). New Brunswick and London Transaction Publishers, 1992. 354 p. 2. Bourdeiu P. Logic of Practice. Cambridge Polity Press, 1990. 382 p. 3. Coser L. The Functions of Social Conflict. Glencoe, Ill foreswear Press, 1956. 188 p. 4. Durkh eim E. The Division of Labour in Society. New York, NY Free Press 1997. 272 p. 5. Durkheim E. Suicide. New York, NY Free Press 1951. 345 p. 6. Sztompka P. Sociology in Action The Theory of Social Decoding. Oxford Polity Press, 2001. 415 p.