Functions of social institutions and their violations

A social institution is a system of social norms, links, rules of behavior, a set of roles and social values that satisfy basic social needs and fulfill the role of regulators of public life.

The main ones are the institutes: families and production, state and religion, education and culture. These are the main functions of social institutions.

Reproduction function

For the existence of society, this function is one of the most important. It is obvious that without a constant replenishment of the population, society will soon cease to exist. The code of rules for the institution of the family assumes that the members of the society must unite into small groups, the so-called cells, or families. It is thanks to this function of social institutions that the population is reproduced. Otherwise, we could all continue to live in a social order. Or they were alone. Institutes (mainly families, states, religions) regulate the processes of creating married couples, dissolving marriages, setting the values of the birth of children.

Communicative functions

The information produced by institutions should be disseminated, first of all, among individuals within the same institution, as well as between different social institutions. So there are communications, when in different situations, social institutions and their functions act as information distributors, then in the role of its consumers.

Broadcasting function

This function is to transfer the accumulated social experience. It can also be said that this is a function of socialization - the process of assimilation by an individual of social norms, values, rules of behavior.

Regulatory function

Due to the set standards, people adopt the patterns of behavior encouraged in society and play the expected roles. The greatest importance in the performance of this function of social institutions is the family, education, religion.

Integrative function .

Since the activities of social institutions are directly related to the formation of norms and values of society, in the end they provide for mutual responsibility and interdependence of members of society. That, in turn, increases the level of its cohesion and integrity of the structure of society.

Hidden functions and dysfunctions of social institutions

In addition to the explicit ones (that are, which are officially recognized), there are hidden functions of institutions. They arise as a result of the natural interaction of institutions, social groups and individuals among themselves. For example, the institution of consumption can also perform the function of determining prestige. Institute of Education dictate social inequality. The institute of religion can be used as a way of luring funds from individuals.

When the discrepancy between explicit and hidden functions becomes too large, there is a danger of malfunctioning, or even the formation of parallel institutions: sects, criminal structures, shadow economy, etc.

In addition, there is such a thing as the dysfunction of social institutions - that is, their refusal to function, the ambiguity of values, statuses and roles. This is possible as a result of the personalization of institutions, when their work begins to obey not the objective laws and needs of society, but adapts itself to the needs of certain groups or individuals. A vivid example of the dysfunction of the institution of religion is the crusades.

To correct dysfunction, it is necessary to completely change the social institution, or to create a new one that will satisfy the necessary need of the society.