Sign up to access the complete lesson and track your progress!
Unlock This CourseHave you ever wondered why people behave the way they do in groups? Or why different societies have different rules and expectations? Sociology helps us understand these questions by studying how humans organise themselves into societies and create patterns of behaviour that shape our lives.
Key Definitions:
Society isn't just a collection of individuals living near each other. It's a complex system where people develop shared ways of living, thinking and behaving. Societies have boundaries (though these can change), shared cultures and organised social relationships. Think of society as a bit like a football team - everyone has different positions and roles, but they work together following shared rules.
Social structures are like the skeleton of society - they provide the framework that shapes how we interact. They include things like social institutions, status positions and roles. Without these structures, society would be chaotic! They help us know what to expect from others and what others expect from us. For example, when you go to school, you know what role teachers play and what's expected of you as a student.
Social structures come in many forms, but they all help organise society and shape our experiences. Let's explore the main types:
Social institutions are established, organised systems that meet basic social needs. They provide structure and stability to society. Each institution has its own set of norms, values and expected behaviours.
The family is where we first learn social norms and values. It provides emotional support, economic cooperation and socialisation of children. Family structures vary across cultures - from nuclear families (parents and children) to extended families (including grandparents, aunts, uncles).
Schools don't just teach academic subjects - they also transmit cultural values, prepare young people for work and help maintain social order. Education can both reduce inequality (by providing opportunities) and reinforce it (through things like streaming and unequal resources).
The economic institution organises the production and distribution of goods and services. It includes businesses, markets and work relationships. The type of economic system (capitalism, socialism, etc.) greatly affects other aspects of society, including inequality and power relationships.
Social stratification refers to the way society is divided into layers or strata, with some groups having more resources, power and status than others. This creates structured inequality that can persist across generations.
Social class is based primarily on economic position and includes factors like income, wealth, occupation and education. In the UK, sociologists often identify working class, middle class and upper class, though the boundaries can be blurry. Class affects everything from health outcomes to educational achievement and life chances.
Gender stratification refers to the unequal distribution of wealth, power and privilege between men and women. Despite progress toward equality, gender differences persist in areas like pay (the gender pay gap), household responsibilities and representation in leadership positions.
Ethnic stratification involves inequality based on cultural differences, national origin, or race. Ethnic minorities often experience discrimination in employment, housing and other areas. Sociologists study how ethnic inequalities are maintained through both individual prejudice and institutional discrimination.
Age stratification divides society based on age groups, with different expectations, rights and access to resources for children, adults and the elderly. Ageism (prejudice based on age) can affect both young and old people, though in different ways.
The digital divide refers to the gap between those who have ready access to computers and the internet and those who don't. This modern form of social stratification has significant consequences.
In the UK, about 7% of households have no internet access (ONS, 2020). During the COVID-19 pandemic, this became particularly problematic when education moved online. Children from lower-income families often lacked the devices or internet connection needed for remote learning, potentially widening educational inequalities.
The digital divide shows how new forms of stratification can emerge alongside technological changes and how existing inequalities (like social class) can be reinforced through new mechanisms.
Within social structures, people occupy different positions and play different roles. These help maintain order and predictability in social interactions.
Status refers to a person's position in the social hierarchy. We have multiple statuses simultaneously - you might be a student, a daughter, a football player and a part-time worker all at once! Some statuses are ascribed (assigned at birth, like gender or ethnicity) while others are achieved (earned through effort, like occupation or educational qualifications).
Roles are the behaviours, obligations and expectations attached to a particular status. For example, the 'teacher' status comes with roles like instructing students, marking work and maintaining classroom discipline. Role conflict occurs when the demands of different roles clash - like when work responsibilities conflict with family obligations.
Social structures aren't fixed - they evolve over time due to various factors including technology, cultural shifts and social movements.
New technologies transform social structures. The internet has changed how we work, learn and form relationships. Social media has created new forms of community and communication, while automation is changing the nature of work and employment.
The increased interconnectedness of societies worldwide has led to cultural exchange, economic integration and new power relationships. Global corporations now sometimes have more influence than national governments, creating new forms of social structure.
Organised efforts to promote or resist change can transform social structures. Movements like feminism, civil rights and environmentalism have challenged existing norms and institutions, leading to significant social changes.
The family as a social institution has undergone dramatic changes in the UK over recent decades:
These changes reflect broader shifts in values, gender roles and economic conditions. They show how social institutions adapt to changing circumstances while continuing to fulfil essential functions.
Sociologists use different theoretical approaches to understand social structures. Each offers valuable insights but emphasises different aspects of society.
Functionalists see society as a system of interconnected parts working together to maintain stability. They focus on how social structures contribute to social order. For example, they might examine how education prepares young people for future work roles, thus supporting the economy.
Marxists emphasise conflict between social classes. They view social structures as mechanisms that maintain the power of the ruling class. For instance, they might argue that education reproduces class inequality by preparing working-class children for working-class jobs.
Interactionists focus on how people create and maintain social structures through everyday interactions. They're interested in how we interpret and give meaning to social roles and relationships, rather than looking at society as a whole.
Understanding social structures helps us see beyond individual experiences to recognise patterns and systems that shape our lives. It reveals how our personal troubles connect to public issues and how society influences our opportunities and constraints. With this knowledge, we can better understand social problems and work toward creating more just and equitable social arrangements.