All sociological schools, considering society as a unit, note that the integrity of this system does not mean one-relationship. On the contrary, the set of interrelations of elements of different level, that is social structure acts as one of the main signs of society.
Instruction
1. The term "social structure" was for the first time mentioned in the book by Herbert Spencer "The principles of sociology". This concept designates steady interrelations between a social organism and its bodies. "Structure", in turn, is understood as the term an order, arrangement or set of elements, functionally connected among themselves. It is one of key features of society, any other natural system does not differ in similar variety of associations.
2. The modern sociology has no uniform idea of social structure, however there is a set of various approaches. One of the most popular is the theory of social community. According to it, all society consists of the real-life, empirically fixed individuals differing in relative integrity and acting as independent subjects of social interactions.
3. Social communities among themselves differ with a variety of situationally caused and historical types and forms. The main distinctive criteria are: - density of communications between members (from united collectives to nominal associations); - existence duration (from short-term to long-term); - quantity of the elements entering into community (from two indefinitely).
4. On set of a set of signs the social communities can be divided into two categories: group and mass. Under the first concept, as a rule, consider groups of people who are characterized by close interaction and clear tasks. Mass social communities are sets of individuals with indistinct segregation of duties and spontaneous behavior.
5. One more approach to determination of essence of social structure is that all society can be subdivided into separate social groups which form a uniform system. At the same time understand set of the people having uniform socially important sign and also the general values and standards of behavior as social group.
6. Social groups, as a rule, classify only by unity and scale. Big groups are a circle of the people having spatial dissociation and common interests. As a rule, carry social groups, classes and ethnic groups to them. Small groups are the small associations which are in direct communication. Examples: family, class, working collective.
7. Also social groups are primary and secondary. People who are in continuous contact enter into primary groups (families, brotherhoods, etc.). Secondary groups unite the people interacting indirectly (study at one institute, but personally do not communicate).