1. Social Institutions

2. Social Institutions Social Institutions:
The organized, usual, or standard ways by which society meets its basic needs.
Examples: Family, Religion, Education, Economics, Medicine, Politics, Law, Science, Military, Mass Media

3. Significance of Social Institutions
Help shape our thoughts and influence our behavior
Much of the influence of social institutions is beyond our ordinary awareness
Ex: Economic Institution – 8 hour work day

4. Example: The Mass Media
Basic Need Met:
Disseminating Information, Molding Public Opinion, and Reporting Events
Groups or Organizations:
TV Networks, Radio Stations, Publishers, Bloggers
Statuses
Journalists, Newscasters, Authors, Editors, Publisher
Values
Timelines, Accuracy, Freedom of the Press
Norms
Be accurate, fair, timely, and profitable

5. Functionalist Perspective
Social institutions perform such vital functions for human survival that no society is without them
Five Functional Requisites for Survival
Replacing Members
Socializing New Members
Producing and Distributing Goods and Services
Preserving Order
Providing a Sense of Purpose

6. Conflict Perspective
Do not view social institutions working harmoniously for the common good.
Powerful groups control society’s institutions
Manipulate them to maintain wealth and power
Ex: Nation’s Wealthy Elite
Top 1% control 34% of privately owned wealth in US
Sit on boards of corporations and universities
Make donations to political candidates

7. Changes in Social Structure
As culture changes, then so does social structure
Responds to changing values, technology, contact with other cultures
Economy is affected by globalization

8. Functional vs. Conflict
Debate

9. The Debate You will be divided into two groups
One group will represent the Functionalist Theory and one group will represent the Conflict Theory
You goal is to argue why your theory best explains education as a social institution of American society

10. The Debate
9 group members will speak during the debate, the remaining group members will be the “head researchers” that turn in the notes from your group’s research prior to the debate.
The debate format can be found on the Wiki.