Social Institutions

Social Institutions
a compilation from various sources by Ms. Theresa L. Jabines, JD

01 Definition and
Characteristics
c ontents
02 Family
03 Education
04 Economy
05 Religion
06 Politics
01 What does the concept of social
institutions mean?
Social Institutions
The term is widely used to describe social practices that
are regularly and continuously repeated, are sanctioned
and maintained by social norms, and have a major
significance in the social structure.
Like role, the term refers to established patterns of

behaviour, but institution is regarded as a higher-order,
more general unit that incorporates a plurality of roles.
Source: Penguin Dictionary of Sociology

Social Institutions
Other definitions:
A social institution is an interrelated

system of social roles and social norms,
organized around the satisfaction of an
important social need or social function.
Social Institutions are organized patterns

of beliefs and behaviour that are centered
on basic social needs.
Characteristics of Social Institutions
• Social institutions are universal.

They may vary from time to time and across cultures, in terms of
complexity, specialization, scope, formality and organization. But their basic
nature and purpose are similar everywhere.
Example: Family - There are a lot of differences in cultures when it comes to

the creation of a family and the dynamics of the relationships between family
members. However, it is universal that the family is the most basic unit of
society. It is where the children (society’s newest members) are first taught,
molded and nourished.
• Social institutions are resistant to change; they tend to persist.
• Each institution performs two types of social function:
(a) primary functions, which are also called manifest, explicit, or

direct functions;
(b) secondary functions, which are also called indirect, hidden, or
latent functions. Through these functions, social institutions fulfill
important needs in the society
• Institutions are the controlling mechanisms

Institutions like religion, morality, state, government, law, legislation etc.
control the behaviour of men. These preserve the social order and give
stability to it.
• Institutions are interrelated

Institutions, though diverse, are interrelated and interdependent. These
are connected through statuses and roles of the individuals.
• Social institutions use symbols and possess material objects
Institutions have cultural symbols. The symbols may be either material or

non-material. A country has a flag, an emblem, a national anthem as its
symbol. A school may have its own flag, uniform dress etc.
The institutions have resources and material objects. The buildings, furniture,
books and other objects are part of social life are a part of institutions.
Therefore institutions are the great conservers and transmitters of cultural

heritage.
FAMILY
EDUCATION RELIGION
4 2 1 3 5
ECONOMY POLITICS
5 Basic Social Institutions

FAMILY
l The family is generally regarded as a primary social
institution.
l The institution of family is a basic unit in the society,
and the multifaceted functions performed by it
makes it a much-needed institution in a society.
l It is one of the oldest social institution on the earth.
Although families differ widely around the world,
they also share certain common concerns in their
everyday lives.
EDUCATION
l The educational institution is responsible for the
systematic transmission of knowledge, skills and
cultural values within a formally organized structure.
l It is one of the most influential institutions in
contemporary societies. Every nation in the world is
equipped with some form of education system,
though those systems vary greatly
ECONOMY
• Economy is the social institution that ensures
maintenance of society through the production,
distribution and consumption of goods and
services.
l Economy is the social institution that organizes a
society’s production, distribution and consumption
of goods and services.
l The economy system is the complex of interrelated
institutions through which the economic activity of
man is expressed.
RELIGION
• Religion is a social institution composed of a
unified system of beliefs, symbols, and rituals—
based on some sacred or supernatural realm—that
guides human behavior, gives meaning to life, and
unites believers into a community. Formany people,
religious beliefs provide the answers for seemingly
unanswerable questions about the meaning of life
and death.
• Religion is a system of faith and worship.
POLITICS
• Political institution is the distribution system of
power and authority which is used to maintain
social order.
• Politics is the social institution through which
power is acquired and exercised by some people
and groups.
Do you have questions or clarifications?
You may ask them on the google classroom “question”

that I will be posting regarding this topic. You may also
request for a consultation on topics that you may want more
elaboration. The platform to be used will depend on what is
convenient for both the student and the teacher. :)

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Social Institutions

a compilation from various sources by Ms. Theresa L. Jabines, JD

Like role, the term refers to established patterns of

Source: Penguin Dictionary of Sociology

A social institution is an interrelated

Social Institutions are organized patterns

• Social institutions are universal.

Example: Family - There are a lot of differences in cultures when it comes to

• Social institutions are resistant to change; they tend to persist.

• Each institution performs two types of social function:

(a) primary functions, which are also called manifest, explicit, or

• Institutions are the controlling mechanisms

• Institutions are interrelated

Institutions have cultural symbols. The symbols may be either material or

Therefore institutions are the great conservers and transmitters of cultural

5 Basic Social Institutions

You may ask them on the google classroom “question”

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