When approaching the study of the social structure and its elements, one should remember the certain limitations of this knowledge. So, according to B. Russell, the study of the structure of the object is insufficient for its full knowledge. Even with a complete analysis of the structure, we are dealing only with the nature of the individual parts of the 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 relations with other structures of human existence.
Basic concepts
The concept of structure in the broad sense of the word means a set of functionally dependent elements and the relationships between them that form the internal structure of the 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 social structure and the nature of the relationship between them
The structure of the object is characterized by the composition of the elements, the order of their location, the nature of dependence on each other. The connections between them can be positive, negative, as well as neutral. In the first case, we are talking about increasing the level of organization of the structure due to these connections, in the second there is a decrease in organization, in the third - the 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 nature 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. Ananyev identifies two groups of properties that characterize the individual - primary and secondary.
Primary properties imply the presence of:
- age features (corresponding to a specific age);
- sexual dimorphism (gender);
- individually typical characteristics (neurodynamic properties of the brain, specificity of the functional geometry of the cerebral hemispheres, constitutional features).
Together, the primary properties of an individual determine his secondary properties:
- dynamics of psychophysiological functions;
- structure of organic needs.
Thus, in this case we are talking about the biological nature of the individual.
The social nature of the individual. 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. However, 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 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 systemic properties of an individual, which is formed in joint activity and communication.
There are many definitions that interpret the concept of personality from one side or another, however, in all of them, the key point is the social characteristic of a person acting as an element of the social structure of society. Whether the biological nature of an individual is less significant than the social one in this case is a controversial issue that requires consideration taking into account the specifics of a particular situation.
Concept of social community
This concept is a relatively stable set of people who are characterized by relatively similar conditions and lifestyle, as well as interests.
There are two main types of social communities:
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:
- mass;
- group (small / large social groups).
So, information about registration, demographic data provided by residents of a certain city are 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 classify mass social communities as formally unrelated people, but united in a certain aggregate on the basis of certain behavioral characteristics.
Classification of social groups
It is customary to relate to social groups the totality of people interacting with each other, feeling their relationship and perceived by others as a certain community.
Group social communities include large and small groups. Examples of the first are:
- ethnic communities (nationalities, tribes, nations, races);
- socio-demographic (age and sex characteristics);
- socio-territorial (living for a long time in the same territory, having a relatively similar lifestyle in relation to each other);
- social classes / layers (strata) of society (general social functions regarding the social division of labor, general social features).
The division of society according to the class basis is based on the criterion of the group's relation to ownership of the means of production, as well as the nature of the appropriation of goods. Classes differ in general socio-economic and psychological characteristics, value orientations, their own "code" of behavior.
Classification by strata (social strata) is carried out based on the characteristics of the lifestyle and labor of members of society. Strata are intermediate (transitional) social groups that do not differ in a pronounced specific relation to the means of production (in contrast to the class).
Primary and secondary social groups
Primary social groups are usually classified as small in number of people who enter into direct interaction with each other, in accordance with the individual characteristics of the participants in this communication. Such an element of social structure is primarily the family. It also includes interest clubs, sports teams, etc. Relations within such groups are usually informal, to some extent intimate. 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, and by more formal, impersonal interaction between participants. Priority in these groups is the ability of group members to perform certain social functions and achieve relevant goals. As for the individual characteristics of the participants, they are relegated to the background. Such groups include, for example, a working 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 the joint activities of individuals. These may include, in fact, the institution of the state, education, family, etc. The task of any social institution is to realize 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, in the Soviet period of government in Russia, a religious institution underwent significant changes and almost ceased to function as a full-fledged social institution. At present, he has restored his status to the full extent 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 a 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 relations of a certain kind between people at the expense of institutional norms. With the help of these norms, individuals, in turn, form social groups. Moreover, the activities of each social institution are aimed at many different social groups that determine the corresponding institutional behavior in society.
Thus, the social structure, elements of the social structure are determined by a complex system of ties, starting from the level of individual individuals and ending with large social groups. An important role is played not only by anonymous public relations, but also by informal ones characteristic of reference groups.