INSTITUTION
Meaning of Institution
Durkheim says sociology is a science of social institutions. This shows the importance of institutions in sociology. However, the institution is one of the important basic concepts used in sociology. But the term is very much associated with the term association. Because both associations and institutions are formed to satisfy the various needs of human beings. A man is born to live and grow in a group, but he acts through institutions. Without institutions, no association can regulate its members. For example, the state is an association, and the government is its institution. Family is an association, and marriage is its institution. Temple has its rituals. Accordingly, institutions are the characteristic agencies of any human association.
Sometimes both term is used as a synonym for each other. At some other time, a particular thing may be considered as both association and institution, for example, college. But both the term differs from each other. When we consider something to be an organized group with a definite purpose, it is an association. Still, if we consider it some rules and regulations or a form of procedure, it is an institution.
In the course of his living, men create rules, regulations, and procedures to regulate the behaviour of members of society and the smooth running of society. These rules, regulations, and forms of procedures are called institutions. Sometimes it also refers to a long-established tradition. Some other times it refers to the rules governing complex social relationships such as family. Sociologists understood the term in this sense. Institutions are modes of way. Institutions refer to some durable and accepted forms of the procedure governing the relations of members in society. It is the functioning ways by which society performs its functions. Institutions are necessary for the functioning of society and associations.
Definitions of Institution
Different sociologists define the term in different ways, which are mentioned below:
Maclver defined the institution as the “established forms or conditions of procedure characteristic of group activity.
According to Sumner, “An institution consists of a concept (idea, notion, doctrine or interest) and a structure.
According to Woodward, folkways, mores and laws which enter in some function or functions.
According to Green, “An institution is the organization of several folkways and mores into a unit which serves a number of social functions.”
According to Gillin and Gillin, “A social institution is a functional configuration of culture pattern (including actions, ideas, attitudes and cultural equipment) which possesses a certain permanence and which is intended to satisfy felt social needs.”
According to Ginsberg, institutions are definite and sanctioned forms or modes of relationship between social beings in respect to one another or to some external object.
According to Horton and Hunt, “An institution is an organized system of relationships which embodies certain common rules and procedures and meets certain basic needs of the society.”
H.T. Majumdar defines an institution as the collective mode of response or behaviour which has outlasted a generation, which prescribes a well-defined way of doing things and which binds the members of the group together into an association by means of rituals, symbols, procedures and officers possessed of regulatory power or Danda.
According to Bogardus, “A social institution is a structure of society that is organized to meet the needs of people chiefly through well established procedures.”
According to Young, “an institution is a set of folkways and mores integrated round a principal function of the society.”
According to Cooley, “An institution is a complete organization of collective behaviour established in the social heritage and meeting some persistent need or want.”
H. E. Barnes holds that “Social institutions are the social structures and machinery through which human society organizes, directs and executes the multifarious activities required for human need.”
Thus, institutions are forms of procedure. Every organization is dependent upon a certain recognized and established set of rules, traditions and usages. These usages and rules may be given the name of institutions. They are the forms of procedure recognized and accepted by society and govern the relations between individuals and groups. Thus marriage, education, property and religion are the main institutions.
Features or Characteristics of Institution
The institution has the following characteristics:
Forms of procedure:
Institutions are forms of procedure. It refers to a set of rules, traditions and usages. These forms of procedure are recognized and accepted by society and govern the relations between individuals and groups.
Fulfills specific needs:
Institutions are formed to fulfill specific primary needs of human beings. Society recognizes these needs. For example, the family fulfills the specific needs of its members like reproductive needs, socialization needs, security needs, and others.
Institutions are social in Nature:
Institutions are social because it is created by the collective activities of men to fulfill different social needs of the members of society.
Definite aims and objectives:
Institutions are formed to satisfy the specific needs of individuals in society. Hence, they have one or more definite aims and objectives. It works towards the fulfillment of these aims and objectives. For example, Marriage as an institution aims to satisfy sex needs.
Controlling Agencies:
Institutions are the means of controlling individuals. It acts as a controlling mechanism in society. It regulates the behaviour of members of society.
The institution is abstract:
Institutions are abstract. It does not have a concrete existence. We can’t touch it or see it, but we can feel it. They are not external.
Relatively stable:
Institutions are relatively stable or permanent. They do not undergo rapid changes. Changes occur very slowly. It is because many institutions are rigid. They are more stable than other means of social control. That is the main reason for this continuity for generations together.
Symbol:
Each and every institution has a symbol by which it identifies itself. This symbol may be material or non-material. An institution may have one or more symbols. For example, Swastik and Crescent moon and star are a symbol of Hindu and Muslim religion, respectively. A college may have its uniform dress or flag.
Universality:
Institutions are universal in nature. It is found in almost all societies and at all stages of development. Family, religion, property, etc. are found to exist since the beginning of human civilization.
Prescribes Rules and Procedures:
Institutions prescribe rules and procedures to be followed by society members. Each and every institution has definite procedures which are formed based on customs, traditions. These procedures are the ways of doing things. For example, marriage as an institution governs the relations of couples in society, individuals must obey it.
An embodiment of values:
Institutions are the embodiment of values that are shared by the members. It represents the values of society or its members. For example, Monogamy and the joint family system are the value of Indian social institutions like marriage and family.
Institutions are part of the cultural system:
Man learns different institutions like morality, folkways, and mores from society. As a part of the cultural system, institutions transmit from one generation to another.
The distinction between Community and Institution
There are the following points of difference between institution and community:
The institution is an organization of rules, traditions, and usages, while the community is a group of people.
The institution is a social structure to fulfill some specific needs, while the community is a group of people living in a particular locality and possessing community sentiment.
The institution is abstract, whereas the community is concrete.
Individuals are the members of the community and not of the institution.
Every institution is concerned with one particular aspect of life, while the community is concerned with social life.
The institution is based upon the collective activities of human beings, while the community is based on mutual relationships.
Lastly, institutions are born in a community while a community grows itself.
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