Institution
The concept of
institution is one of the most important in the entire field of sociology.
Institutions are the organs of whole society.
We make a clear about
the institution by the following definition.
Definition
•
“Institution may be described as recognized and establish usages
governing the relations between individual and groups.” -Gingsberg
•
“Institution may be defined as the established form or conditions of the
procedure characteristics of group activity.” -MacIver
and Page
•
Institution can be defined as a set of interwoven folkways, mores and
laws built around one or more function. -Kingsley Davis
•
Institution represent “the social structure and the machinery through
which human society organizes, directs and executes the multifarious activates
required to satisfy human needs.” -
H.E. Barnes
From
the above definition we should be clear that the social institutions are a kind
of established rule which is followed by the member automatically. It is an
abstract form. It is a circle or a boundary of different assumptions and social
values and norms etc.
Characteristics of Institution
Social in nature
Institutions come into
being due to the collective activities of the people. They are essentially
social in nature. After all, institutions are the products of the secular and
repetitive forms of social relationship of the individuals.
Universality
Social institutions are
universal. They exist in all the societies and existed at all the stages of
social development. The basic institutions like family, religion, property and
some kind of political institutions are observed even in the tribal or
primitive societies.
Standard of
norms
An institution must be
understood as standardized procedures and norms. They prescribe the way of
doing things. They also prescribe rules and regulations that are to be
followed. Marriage, as an association, for example, governs the relations
between the husband and wife. Similarly, the schools and college has its own
rules and procedures.
Means of
satisfying needs
Institutions are
established by men themselves. They cater to the satisfaction of some basic and
vital needs of man. These basic needs are:-
-
The
needs for self-preservation
-
The
needs for self-perpetuation
-
The
needs for self-expression
Control
mechanism
Institution like
religion, morality, state, government, law, legislation etc., control the
behavior of men. These mechanisms preserve the social order and give stability
to it. Institutions are like wheels on which human society marches on to-wards
the also undergo change.
Ø Relatively permanent.
Ø Abstract by nature
Ø Oral and written traditions
Ø Synthesizing symbols
Ø Institution are interrelated etc.