Basic Concepts in Sociology
Society
Meaning and definition
1. The term society refers to the sum total of the relationships existing among
individuals.
2. It is an intangible entity and mental construct.
3. It can be realized in everyday life but we cannot see it.
4. The term society is derived from Latin word socieus/Socius which means
companionship or friendly relationship.
5. Etymologically society is the sum total of social relationships.
6. Giddings, “Society is the union itself, the organization, the sum total of
formal relations in which associating individuals are bound together”.
7. MacIver, “Society is the web of social relations”.
8. A.W.Green,” A Society is the largest group of individual belongs which
made up of a population, organization, time, place and interest.”
9. Thus, society is a network of social relationships.
10.Individuals are bounded by different types of bonds such as religion, class,
caste/ ethnicity, friendship, marriage etc. and this create a pattern of
relationship which is called society.
Characteristics of Society
1. Society is consists of individuals: -Without individuals there can be no
society, no social relationship and no social life at all.
2. Likeness and differences: - No society can come into existence unless its
members feel that they are like one another. However individuals of society
are differ from each other in terms of caste, class, occupation, gender,
education etc. But differences are subordinated to similarities in society.
, 3. Cooperation and division of labor: - Society is based on cooperation.
Division of labor assigns different tasks to each groups and units. This
allocation of tasks creates cooperation in society.
4. Interdependency: - The members of society depend on one another for its
smooth functioning.
5. Society is dynamic entity: - Society is ever changing entity, It is always in
flux. Old members die and new members are born. New associations,
institutions and groups may come.
6. Conflict: - It is another attribute of society. Groups can enter in conflicting
relation if their interest is opposed to each other.
7. Social control: - It is another attribute of society. Society has its own way of
controlling the behavior of individuals. Society controls individuals by using
informal means of control: custom, tradition, norms, values etc. and formal
means of control: law, constitution, court, police, army etc.
8. Culture: - It is another attribute of society. Culture and society go together.
It is not found at the level of animal.
Types of society
1. Hunting and gathering society: -Hunting and gathering society is primary
stage of development of human society. In this society, economic activities
of people are related with hunting of animals and collection of fruits and
roots. In this society life of individuals is of nomadic type. People wander
here and there in search of resources.
2. Pastoral Society:-Pastoral society is that type of society in which
subsistence is based on animal husbandry. It is a semi-nomadic society.
Economy of society is based on animals and animal products.
Society
Meaning and definition
1. The term society refers to the sum total of the relationships existing among
individuals.
2. It is an intangible entity and mental construct.
3. It can be realized in everyday life but we cannot see it.
4. The term society is derived from Latin word socieus/Socius which means
companionship or friendly relationship.
5. Etymologically society is the sum total of social relationships.
6. Giddings, “Society is the union itself, the organization, the sum total of
formal relations in which associating individuals are bound together”.
7. MacIver, “Society is the web of social relations”.
8. A.W.Green,” A Society is the largest group of individual belongs which
made up of a population, organization, time, place and interest.”
9. Thus, society is a network of social relationships.
10.Individuals are bounded by different types of bonds such as religion, class,
caste/ ethnicity, friendship, marriage etc. and this create a pattern of
relationship which is called society.
Characteristics of Society
1. Society is consists of individuals: -Without individuals there can be no
society, no social relationship and no social life at all.
2. Likeness and differences: - No society can come into existence unless its
members feel that they are like one another. However individuals of society
are differ from each other in terms of caste, class, occupation, gender,
education etc. But differences are subordinated to similarities in society.
, 3. Cooperation and division of labor: - Society is based on cooperation.
Division of labor assigns different tasks to each groups and units. This
allocation of tasks creates cooperation in society.
4. Interdependency: - The members of society depend on one another for its
smooth functioning.
5. Society is dynamic entity: - Society is ever changing entity, It is always in
flux. Old members die and new members are born. New associations,
institutions and groups may come.
6. Conflict: - It is another attribute of society. Groups can enter in conflicting
relation if their interest is opposed to each other.
7. Social control: - It is another attribute of society. Society has its own way of
controlling the behavior of individuals. Society controls individuals by using
informal means of control: custom, tradition, norms, values etc. and formal
means of control: law, constitution, court, police, army etc.
8. Culture: - It is another attribute of society. Culture and society go together.
It is not found at the level of animal.
Types of society
1. Hunting and gathering society: -Hunting and gathering society is primary
stage of development of human society. In this society, economic activities
of people are related with hunting of animals and collection of fruits and
roots. In this society life of individuals is of nomadic type. People wander
here and there in search of resources.
2. Pastoral Society:-Pastoral society is that type of society in which
subsistence is based on animal husbandry. It is a semi-nomadic society.
Economy of society is based on animals and animal products.
