3 theories of social institutions

8/10/2019 3 Theories of Social Institutions

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Theories of

SocialInstitutionsApplication of Sociological

Schools of Thought


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We often think of the physicalmanifestations of an institution

Place or building where some organized

activity is carried out

Institutions have theoretical components

Can be organized and

predictable ways

societies develop tomeet their basic needs

Institutions


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FamilyPhysical Structure: Home

Purpose: Regulate reproduction and

socialize children

Examples of Institutions


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ReligionPhysical Structure: Church, Mosque,

Synagogue, etc

Purpose: Help meet universal spiritualneeds



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MedicinePhysical Structure: Hospital, Clinic

Purpose: Prevent disease, heal the sick



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EducationPhysical Structure: School, University

Purpose: Transmit knowledge, skills and

socialization to the next generation ofcitizens



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For an institution to function effectively,it must assign roles to its members

Roles: Predictable behavior expected of

an individual within a social institution

Role Expectations


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Insist that the spiritual leader (priest,imam, rabbi, etc.) instructs the believers

in the values and norms of the religion as

well as offering spiritual advice/guidance

Roles: Religious Institutions


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Insist that a doctors role is to heal thesick to the very best of their ability

Role expectation is based upon the

supreme medical value, which is the

sanctity of human life

Roles: Health Institutions


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Behaviour changes as they enter a differentsocial institution and assume a new role

Ex. Starting school, you assume a new role

of student instead of son/daughter

Status: position a person has within a social

institution, depending on their role

Expected role expected depends on that

individuals status in the institution

Each person interacts with others within

the institution in a certain way depending

on their respective status

Behaviours in Institutions


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Sociology Schools of Thought

Structural-FunctionalismBelieves society provides its members

with stable patterns of social

structure and fulfills their basic needs

Conflict Theory

Believes society is always changing

and is in constant conflict between

the powerful, whom social institutionsbenefit, and the powerless, whom

social institutions disadvantage


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Sociology Schools of Thought

Symbolic InteractionismAs unique individuals with complex

brain structures, human beings are

active members in creating their

social circumstances instead of justreacting to them

Feminism

Some groups, primarily women andminorities have been disadvantaged

by society and its social institutions,

which have historically favoured men


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Structural Functionalism and

Symbolic Interactionism Similarities:

Positive view of society and the institutions

Differences:S-F sees social institutions as main actors

and individuals as responding to and

following social patterns and structures

S-I views individuals as active members in

creating social patterns and manipulating

social structures to serve their purpose


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Conflict Theory & Feminism

Similarities:Negative view of society and institutions

See conflict between various groups

Differences:

Conflict Theory: based on economics:

struggle between rich and poor; Institutions

benefitted the rich, who have powerFeminism: based on gender and race:

struggle between men and women OR

dominant group and minorities; Institutions

have benefitted white males


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Please form your own groups of 4 Select which Sociological School of

Thought each group member will become

an expert in:

Structural-Functionalism

Symbolic-Interactionism

Conflict Theory

Feminisim

Jigsaw Activity


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In your School of Thought groups, discuss and

complete the organizer

Discuss how individuals who fulfill certainroles are expected to act and behave

Create three rules, and discuss their purpose

Discuss the purpose of Structured Timetables

and Class Schedules; Curriculum/Subject

Matter; and Grades and Ability Streaming

Discuss the overall purpose of school and how

it acts as an agent of socialization from theperspective of your school of thought

Does this school of thought reflect your own

beliefs and perceptions of schooling?

3 theories of social institutions

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