Unit 2 social organization

USEFUL VOCABULARY

Make sure you know the following words. Use the dictionary to check their meanings.

accomplish (v)

acquire (v)

cause (v)

charity (n)

concern (n)

emerge (v)

ensure (v)

goal (n)

governance (n)

hierarchy (n)

hierarchical (a)

ladder (n)

legally (adv)

outcome (n)

personnel (n)

prerequisite (n)

prioritize (v)

rank (v)

strive (for) (v)

subordinate (n)

survive (v)

Reading

Text 1

1. Read the text and find the information to answer the questions that follow.

Social structure

Social structure refers to the way in which a society is organized into predictable relationships. These concepts are central to sociological study because they focus on how different aspects of human behaviour are related to one another.

In sociology, a group is any number of people with similar norms, values and expectations, who regularly and consciously interact. Every society is composed of many groups in which daily social interaction takes place. We seek out groups to establish friendships, to accomplish certain goals, and to fulfill social roles that we have acquired. Groups play a vital part in a society’s social structure; they are an intermediate link between the individual and the larger society and much of social interaction and behaviour is influenced by the norms and sanctions established by groups.

Social institutions are organized patterns of beliefs and behaviour which are centred on basic social needs and which perform functions necessary for a society’s survival.

Sociologists have identified five major tasks, or functional prerequisites that a society must accomplish if it is to survive. They are shown in the table below.

Functional Prerequisites	Social Institutions
1. Replacing personnel	Family Government
2. Teaching new recruits	Family (basic skills) Economy (occupations) Education (schools) Religion (sacred teachings)
3. Producing and distributing goods and services	Family (food preparation) Economy Government (regulates regarding commerce) Health care system
4. Preserving order	Family (child rearing, regulation of sexuality) Government Religion (morals)
5. Providing and maintaining a sense of purpose	Government (patriotism) Religion

Other sociologists evaluate the social institutions from a conflict perspective and suggest that the present organization of social institutions is no accident and the outcome of this organization is not necessarily efficient and desirable. Moreover, they say that major institutions, such as education, help to maintain the privileges of the most powerful individuals and groups within a society, while contributing to the powerlessness of others.

From a conflict view all institutions have a basic paradox: they are absolutely necessary, yet they are a source of social problems. It has become fashionable to attack social institutions, such as the family and the government, in recent years. But we should not forget that people depend on institutions for stability and guarantees from chaos.

Social institutions affect our daily lives. Whether we are driving down the street or standing in a long shopping line, our everyday behaviour is governed by social institutions. Viewed from an interactionist perspective, our social behaviour is conditioned by the roles and statuses which we accept, by the groups to which we belong, and by the institutions within which we function. And the roles, statuses, groups and institutions are, in their turn, influenced by the overall social structure of the modern society.

2. Answer the following questions.

1) What elements make up the social structure of a society?

2) Why do we seek out social groups?

3) What social institutions are described in the text?

4) How do the social institutions contribute to a society’s survival?

5) Why has it become fashionable to attack the social institutions in recent years?

3. Find in the text the English equivalents for the following:

cвязаны друг с другом; прогнозируемые отношения; сосредотачиваться на; взаимодействовать сознательно; важная часть; промежуточное связующее звено; организованная структура; функциональные предпосылки; сохранность порядка; поддерживать целеустремленность; пополнение кадров.

4. Do you think the following statements are true or false? Discuss your answers in pairs.

1. Social institutions are a source of social problems. 2. People’s behaviour depends on social institutions. 3. The present organization of social institutions is no accident.

5. Match the two halves of the sentences.

1) Groups are an intermediate link between … . 2) Some sociologists say that major institutions help to maintain … . 3) It has become fashionable … . 4) The society must accomplish five major tasks if … 5) Social structures refer to the way in which … 6) A group is a number of people who … 7) Any society is composed of many groups in which … 8) Much of social interaction and behaviour is influenced by … 9) Every social organization is characterized by … 10) The social structure influences …

1. … the established norms and sanctions.

2. … social interaction takes place.

3. … it is to survive.

4. … regularly and consciously interact.

5. … a number of social qualities.

6. … the individual and the larger society.

7. …the roles, statuses, groups and institutions in modern society.

8. … the privileges of the most powerful individuals and groups within a society.

9. … to attack social institutions.

j) … a society is organized.

6. Define the following key terms and memorize the definitions.

Social structure, social group, social institutions

Text 2

1. Read the text and find the information to answer the following questions.

1) How are interrelated groups of the organization constructed?

2) How can social organizations be classified according to their purposes?

3) What examples of for-profit and nonprofit organizations can you give?