WK 10.1 Social structure - Hanane Ben Abdeslam

Social structure refers to the enduring relationships or bonds between individuals or groups of individuals. The notion of social structure as relationships between different entities or groups or as enduring and relatively stable patterns emphasizes the idea that society is grouped into structurally related groups or sets of roles, with different functions, meanings or purposes. Moreover, social norms influence social structure through relations between the majority and the minority. Because those who join the majority are considered normal, while those who align with the minority are considered abnormal, majority-minority relationships create a hierarchical stratification within social structures that promotes majority in all aspects of society. Social structure can also be divided into microsociology/microstructure and macrosociology/macrostructure. Microstructure is the pattern of relations between most basic elements of social life, that cannot be further divided and have no social structure of their own. Macrostructure is thus a kind of a second level structure, a pattern of relations between objects that have their own structure. According to the reading, some believe that social structure is naturally developed. It may be caused by larger system needs, such as the need for labor, management, professional and military classes, or by conflicts between groups. Others believe that his structuring is not a result of natural processes, but is socially constructed. It may be created by the power of elites who seek to retain their power, or by economic systems that place emphasis upon competition or cooperation. 

What is new to me is that social structure can relate to individuals, groups, and institutions. Relationships are determined by the social position and the social role. With each role, a certain behavior is expected according to certain social conventions. Compliance with this is reinforced by social control and internalization, the process by which people master certain social rules, so that these rules are no longer, in time, regardless as regulations imposed from the outside, but as guidelines chosen by themselves. 

As I mentioned before, some believe that social structure is caused naturally, and others believe that it is socially constructed. Which one do you believe is more likely to be true?

Hanane Ben Abdeslam

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