1. Social Institutions The Three Theories And Institutions
An Organized and Established Social System That Meets One Or More Of a Society’s Basic Needs
Social Institutions
The Three Theories And Institutions
What Society Needs To Survive
Functions Of Six Major Institutions
Family • Education • Religion
Politics • Economy • Media

2. Structural-Functionalism
Every system needs to achieve a state of homeostasis via organic solidarity.
Family
Education
Economy
Law
Media
Religion
Polity
Structural-Functionalism

3. The Role Of Institutions
Conflict Theory
The Role Of Institutions
Legitimate & Perpetuate The Status Quo
Generate & Teach Norms That Maintain The Status Quo
Divert People’s Attention From Inequity
The Laws
The Family
The Economy
The Government
The Schools
The Church
The Media
Non
Elites
Elites

4. Symbolic Interaction CONTEXTS INTERACTIONS ROLES IDENTITIES
Family Economy Polity Schools Church Media Laws
Define, Refine, and Confine Symbolic Meaning
Symbols – which are given meaning by social interaction – are key to our sense of self and society.
These symbols define and shape us.
CONTEXTS
Situations and Definitions Of Situations
INTERACTIONS
Socialization and Impression Management
ROLES
Specific and Generalized Others
Role Strain and Role Conflict
IDENTITIES
Salience and Commitment
Symbolic Interaction

5. What Societies Need To Survive
• Replace Its Members:
Groups do this through procreation, conversion, or immigration
• Teach New Recruits:
Groups do this through education, indoctrination, or informal interaction.
• Produce/Distribute Goods:
Groups must satisfy members’ needs or face discontent and disorder.
• Preserve Order:
Groups protect their members from both internal and external threats.
• Provide A Sense Of Purpose:
Groups help members understand their value to the society, providing motivation for them to continue as members of it..
What Societies Need To Survive

6. Function Of Major Institutions
• Family:
Replaces the members of a society through procreation, socializes children, and legitimizes sexual activity between adults.
• Education:
Helps to socialize children, transmits knowledge, and provides information and training for jobs and other work-related activities.
• Religion:
Encompasses beliefs and practices that offer a sense of meaning and purpose in life.
Function Of Major Institutions

7. Function Of Major Institutions
• Politics:
Maintains law and order, passes legislation, and forms military groups for internal/external defense.
• The Economy:
Organizes a society’s development, production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.
• Media:
Enables and influences communication between individuals and group, socializes members and enforces social norms, promotes consumption of goods and services
Function Of Major Institutions