Week 10-1 Introduction to Sociology / social structure

10-1

1. Summary
Social structure means an institutionalized person or group that has a clear relationship within a social system and continuously interacts. Family, religious, legal, economic and social classes are examples of social structures. Through social structure, people form groups according to function and purpose in society. Individuals are treated differently depending on their structure. There are various opinions about the origin of social structure. First of all, there is an opinion that the social structure was formed naturally. On the contrary, there is an opinion that the social structure was formed by competition and conflict among groups. Historically, many scholars have proposed theories about social structure. Among them, Marx, who gave the first and most comprehensive explanation of social structure, argued that infrastructure (economy) determines the superstructure (political, social, and cultural). In contrast, Emile Durkheim, a representative of functional theory, explained that social structure and social institutions play an important role in organically integrating society. On the other hand, Levi Strauss emphasizes the logical order to understand the cultural structure. Meanwhile, Simmel described the social structure based on the pattern of relationships. As such, the concept of social structure has been explained in terms of a structuralist perspective, a functionalist perspective, or various analytical perspectives. In addition, sociology classifies social structures into normative structures, ideal structures, interest structures, and interaction structures.

2. Interesting
-I was able to understand the opinions of various scholars explaining the social structure.
-Classifying social structures into normative structures, ideal structures, interest structures, and interaction structures, respectively, is the first time I have encountered the notion.

3. Discussion
-Understand your own social structure and explain what social structure you prefer.
-There are various scholars' opinions on the social structure. What do you think is the most convincing opinion?

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