When approaching the study of the social structure and its elements, one should be aware of a certain limitation of this knowledge. So, according to B. Russell, the study of the structure of an object is insufficient for its complete knowledge. Even with a complete analysis of the structure, we are dealing only with the nature of the individual parts of a single whole and the nature of the relationship between them. At the same time, we inevitably lose sight of the nature of the relationship of this object with other objects that are not constituent elements of its structure. Social structure, elements of social structure - these categories are not finite, self-closing functional units. On the contrary, their full functioning is determined by connections with other structures of human existence.
Basic concepts
The concept of structure in the broadest sense of the word means a set of functionally dependent elements and connections between them that form the internal structure of an object.
In turn, the social structure is formed by an ordered set of interacting, interconnected social groups, institutions and relations between them, the internal structure of society (social group). Thus, society is the main semantic center that defines the concept of "social structure".
Elements of the social structure and the nature of the links between them
The structure of an object is characterized by the composition of elements, the order in which they are located, and the nature of their dependence on each other. Relationships between them can be positive, negative, and also neutral. In the first case, we are talking about an increase in the level of organization of the structure due to these connections, in the second, there is a decrease in organization, in the third, connections do not affect the level of organization in the structure.
The main elements of the social structure of society can be divided into three large groups:
- individuals;
- social communities;
- social institutions.
The biological essence of the individual
A person, considered as a single natural being, a representative of the species Homo sapiens, is defined as an individual.
B. G. Ananiev distinguishes two groups of properties,characterizing the individual - primary and secondary.
Primary properties imply:
- age features (corresponding to a specific age);
- sexual dimorphism (gender);
- individually typical characteristics (neurodynamic properties of the brain, the specificity of the functional geometry of the cerebral hemispheres, constitutional features).
In the aggregate, the primary properties of an individual determine its secondary properties:
- dynamics of psychophysiological functions;
- organic needs structure.
Thus, in this case we are talking about the biological essence of the individual.
The social essence of the individual. The concept of personality
In other cases, the concept of an individual is used to represent him as a social being - a representative of human society. At the same time, its biological essence is also not excluded.
Nevertheless, when it is necessary to emphasize the social essence of a person, the concept of an individual is more often replaced by the concept of "personality". Personality characterizes the subject of social relations and conscious activity. In other interpretations, this concept is used to denote the system property of an individual, which is formed in joint activities and communication.
There are many definitions that interpret the concept of personality from one side or another, but in all of them the key point is the social characteristics of a person acting as an elementsocial structure of society. Whether in this case the biological essence of the individual is less significant than the social one is an ambiguous question, requiring consideration taking into account the specifics of a particular situation.
The concept of social community
This concept is a relatively stable set of people who are characterized by relatively similar conditions and lifestyles, as well as interests.
There are two main types of social communities:
- statistical;
- real.
In the first case, we are talking about nominal groups used as social categories, in the second - about really functioning in society. In turn, real social communities can be of 3 types:
- bulk;
- group (small/large social groups).
Thus, registration information, demographic data provided by residents of a particular city, is an example of a statistical social community. On the other hand, if we are talking about the conditions for the existence of a particular category of citizens in reality, we can talk about a real social community.
It is customary to refer to mass social communities formally not related to each other people, but united in a certain population based on some behavioral characteristics.
Classification of social groups
It is customary to refer to social groups as a set of interacting people who feel their relationship andperceived by others as a particular community.
Group social communities include large and small groups. Examples of the former are:
- ethnic communities (peoples, tribes, nations, races);
- socio-demographic (gender and age characteristics);
- socio-territorial (living for a long time in the same territory, having a relatively similar lifestyle in relation to each other);
- social classes / strata (strata) of society (general social functions in relation to the social division of labor, general social characteristics).
The division of society along class lines is based on the criterion of the group's attitude to ownership of the means of production, as well as the nature of the appropriation of goods. Classes differ in common socio-economic and psychological characteristics, value orientations, their own "code" of behavior.
Classification by strata (social strata) is based on the characteristics of the way of life and work of members of society. Strata are intermediate (transitional) social groups that do not differ in a pronounced specific relationship to the means of production (as opposed to a class).
Primary and secondary social groups
It is customary to refer to primary social groups as small populations of people who interact directly with each other, in accordance with the individual characteristics of the participantsthis communication. This element of the social structure is primarily a family. Interest clubs, sports teams, etc. can also be included here. Relations within such groups are usually informal, intimate to a certain extent. Primary groups act as a link between the individual and society, the relationship between which is determined by the social structure.
Elements of the social structure, secondary social groups are distinguished by a larger volume than primary ones, and by more formal, impersonal interaction between participants. The priority in these groups is the ability of group members to perform certain social functions and achieve appropriate goals. As for the individual characteristics of the participants, they are relegated to the background. Such groups include, for example, a work team.
Social institutions
Another significant element of the social structure of society is a social institution. This community includes stable, historically established forms of organization of joint activities of individuals. These may include, in fact, the institution of the state, education, family, etc. The task of any social institution is the realization of a certain social need of society. In the case when this need becomes irrelevant, the institution ceases to function or remains as a tradition. So, for example, during the Soviet period of rule in Russia, the religious institution underwent significant changes and practically ceased to function as a full-fledged religious institution.social institution. At present, it has restored its status to the full and functions freely, along with other social institutions.
The following types of social institutions are distinguished:
- political;
- economic;
- educational;
- religious;
- family.
All social institutions as elements of the social structure of society have their own ideology, a system of norms and rules, as well as a system of social control over the implementation of these rules.
Despite a certain similarity, a social institution and a social group as the main elements of the social structure are not identical concepts, although they can describe the same social community of people. A social institution is aimed at the formation of a certain type of relationship between people at the expense of institutional norms. With the help of these norms, individuals, in turn, form social groups. At the same time, the activity of each social institution is aimed at many different social groups that determine the appropriate institutional behavior in society.
Thus, the social structure, the elements of the social structure are determined by a complex system of connections, starting from the level of individuals and ending with large social groups. At the same time, not only impersonal public relations play an important role, but also informal ones, characteristic of reference groups.
