Social Institutions: Definition

Social Institutions

The term ‘institution’ has been given various interpretations. An institution is an established way of behaving or an established form of procedure. It consists of all the structural components of a society through which the main concerns and activities are organized and social needs are fulfilled.

Definition of Social Institution

1. According to Ginsberg, institutions “may be described as, recognized and established usages governing the relations between individual and groups.”

2. According to MacIver and Page, institutions may be defined as the “established forms or conditions of procedure characteristic of group activity.”

3. Arnold Green has defined an institution as the “organization of several folkways and mores into a unit which serves a number of social functions.”

(Any one definition)

From the above definitions, it can be observed that an institution means some rules, regulations, folkways and mores which are gradually developed and obeyed by society.

The features of social institutions are:

1. Social in nature: 

Institutions are generally social in nature. They are established within a society, and affect different aspects of social life. It is the individuals and the society that are responsible for establishing institutions within any society.

2. Universality: 

Social institutions are universal. They exist in all the societies and have been found at all the stages of social development.

3. Oral and written traditions: 

Institutions may persist in the form of oral or written traditions. In primitive societies, they may be largely oral. But in modern complex societies they may be observed in written as well as unwritten forms.

4. Interrelation with other institutions: 

Institutions, though diverse, are interrelated. Understanding of one institution requires the understanding of the other related institutions. The religious, moral, educational, political, economic and other types of institutions are essentially interlinked.

5. Relatively permanent: 

Institutions normally do not undergo sudden or rapid changes. Changes take place slowly and gradually in them. Many institutions are rigid and enduring. They, in course of time, become the conservative elements in society. For example - caste, religion etc. But under the pressure or circumstances they also undergo changes.

6. Institutions as controlling mechanisms: 

Institutions like religion, morality, state, government law, legislation, etc., control the behaviour of men. These mechanisms preserve the social order and give stability to it. Institutions are like wheels on which human society marches on towards the desired destination.

7. Institutions as a means of satisfying needs: 

Institutions are basic and vital for the continued existence of society. These basic needs include the need for self-preservation, self-perpetuation and self-expression.

8. Abstract in nature: 

Institutions are abstract in nature. They are neither visible nor tangible. For example, marriage cannot be kept on a museum, religion not be rated, nor war be weighed.

9. Synthesizing symbols: 

The symbols may be either material or non-material. A country has a flag, an emblem and a national anthem as its symbol. A school may have its own flag, uniform dress etc.

Hence, societies have their existence on the basis of social institutions and complete the needs of individuals which organize the life and create continuity.