Social structure: elements of the social structure. The main elements of the social structure of society

Approaching the study of the social structure and its elements, one should remember about 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 character of the individual parts of the whole and the nature of the relations between them. At the same time, we inevitably lose sight of the nature of the relationship of a given 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 the connections 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 connections 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 notion of "social structure".

Elements of the social structure and the nature of the links between them

The structure of the object is characterized by the composition of the elements, the order of their location, the nature of the dependence on each other. The links between them can be positive, negative, and also neutral. In the first case, it is about improving the level of organization of the structure through these links, in the second there is a decline in organization, in the third - links 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.

Biological essence of the individual

A person regarded as a single natural being, a representative of the species Homo sapiens, is defined as an individual.

B.G. Ananiev distinguishes two groups of properties that characterize the individual - primary and secondary.

Primary properties imply the presence of:

• Age characteristics (corresponding to a specific age);
• Sexual dimorphism (gender);
• Individually typical characteristics (neurodynamic properties of the brain, specificity of the functional geometry of the hemispheres, constitutional features).

In aggregate, the primary properties of an individual determine its secondary properties:

• Dynamics of psychophysiological functions;
• Structure of organic needs.

Thus, speech in this case is about the biological essence of the individual.

The social essence of the individual. The concept of personality

In other cases, the concept of the individual is used to represent him as a social being - a representative of human society. However, its biological essence is not excluded.

Nevertheless, when it is necessary to emphasize the social essence of man, the concept of the individual is more 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 property of an individual formed in joint activity and communication.

There are many definitions that treat the concept of personality from one side or the other, but in all of them the key is the social characteristic of a person who acts as an element of the social structure of society. Whether in this case the biological essence of the individual is less significant than the public one, the question is ambiguous, requiring consideration considering the specifics of the specific situation.

The 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:

• Statistical;
• Real.

In the first case it is a question of nominal groups used as social categories, in the second - about really functioning in a society. In turn, real social communities can be of 3 kinds:

• Massive;
• Group (small / large social groups).

So, data on 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 refer to mass social communities formally not connected with each other people, but united in a certain set on the basis of some behavioral characteristics.

Classification of social groups

It is customary to refer to social groups a set of people interacting with each other, perceiving their interconnection 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 (sex-age characteristics);
• Social-territorial (living for a long time in the same territory, having a relatively similar lifestyle in relation to each other);
• Social classes / strata (strata) of society (general social functions relative to the social division of labor, general social characteristics).

The division of society according to the class principle is based on the criterion of the group's relationship to ownership of the means of production, as well as the nature of the appropriation of goods. Classes are characterized by general socio-economic and psychological characteristics, value orientations, their own "code" of behavior.

Classification by strata (social strata) is carried out proceeding from the peculiarities of the way of life and work of members of society. Strata are intermediate (transitional) social groups that do not have a distinct specific relationship to the means of production (in contrast to the class).

Primary and secondary social groups

To primary social groups it is customary to include small in number populations of people entering into direct interaction with each other, in accordance with the individual characteristics of the participants in this communication. This element of the social structure is primarily a family. Also here you can include clubs on interests, sports teams, etc. Relations within such groups, as a rule, are informal, to some extent intimate. Primary groups act as a link between a person and a society, the relationship between which is determined by the social structure.

Elements of the social structure, secondary social groups are much larger than the primary ones, and a more formal, impersonal interaction between the participants. Priority in these groups is the ability of the participants in the group to perform certain public functions and achieve the corresponding goals. As for the individual characteristics of the participants, they are relegated to the background. To such groups it is possible to carry, for example, a working collective.

Social Institutions

Another important element of the social structure of society is the social institution. To this community are considered stable, historically established forms of organization of joint activities of individuals. These can include, in fact, the institution of the state, education, family, etc. The task of any social institution is the realization of a particular social need of society. In the case when this need becomes irrelevant, the institution ceases to function or remains as a tradition. For example, during the Soviet period of rule in Russia, the religious institution underwent significant changes and practically ceased to function as a full-fledged social institution. At the present time, it has regained its status to the full and operates freely, along with other social institutions.

The following types of social institutions stand out:

• 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, the social institution and social group as the main elements of the social structure are not identical concepts, although they can describe the same social community of people. The social institution is aimed at forming 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. At the same time, the activity of each social institution is directed at a multitude of different social groups that determine the appropriate institutional behavior in society.

Thus, the social structure, elements of the social structure are determined by a complex system of connections, beginning with the level of individual individuals and ending with large social groups. An important role is played not only by impersonal social ties, but also informal, characteristic for reference groups.