Each society has a certain structure, which represents stable patterns of human interaction. In particular, the social structure is determined by what positions people occupy in society, what roles they perform, and how their relations are formed. The basis for building a social structure is social interaction, which describes what actions people perform in relation to each other. There are different forms of interaction, which depend on the situation and have certain patterns. Social interaction is always the mutual influence of one member of society on another.
People tend to control the impression they make in society, which has led to the development of ideas about public and private behavior. Thus, people construct their social identity, which is an external representation of a person’s inner expectations about oneself. For example, fashion is a vehicle for claiming membership in a group or expressing one’s views. Social identity also influences what actions people perform in order to meet their expectations. Interaction consists in assessing the situation, defining roles, and supporting each other’s social identities.
Another important aspect of social structures is social relations, which are determined by a person’s position in society or status. A certain status is associated with a set of roles assigned to it and determines the expectations of society. A person’s inability to fulfill a certain role or too high demands can lead to strain or conflict. Roles define human activities that are the basis for social relationships involving exchange, conflict, cooperation, or competition. On the basis of such relationships, networks, groups or formal organizations arise, which together form the structure of society.
These processes allow society to have stable social institutions that determine roles, statuses, groups, and organizations. In particular, such structures determine the values of society, as well as behavior in social life. The five basic institutions include family, education, religion, economics, and politics, which are interconnected. Social institutions make it possible to establish certain rules of behavior in society, which ensure the optimal joint functioning of people in one culture. Moreover, they make it possible to establish the connection between the past, present, and future of society, then ensure its continuity. In general, social structure, interactions, relationships, and institutions enable society to be endowed with certain traits that describe its members as a whole. Additionally, these aspects regulate the behavior of people in society, creating stable functioning.
