Running head: CHARACTERISTICS OF SOCIETY 1

INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY

ASSIGNMENT

CHARACTERISE SOCIETY

PRESENTED TO MR. WILKINS NDEGE

DATE: 18TH NOVEMBER, 2018

MOSES OGUTA OMINO

BT/006/20135

PAN AFRICA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY

CHARACTERISTICS OF SOCIETY 2

Characteristics of society

Humans are social beings and this implies that we need to interact with the other human

beings for our survival. Much of our lives are cast in various types of social groupings like

families, villages, cities, occupations, recreational activities and these interact in several ways

hence the concept of society emerged. Sociologists have tried to define society with two angles.

First, it is abstractly referred to as a network of relationships between people or between groups,

and secondly, in concrete terms, as a collection of people or an organisation of persons (Mondal,

2018). The following are some of the features that tend to characterize a society.

Society is a network of social relations

Society exists as an entity of social forces that operate among its constituent members.

These forces are manifested because man is a social being and must thrive on social relations. This

network of relations is based on mutual awareness and recognition of other members of society as

important and essential members. For this reason, different types of social processes like

cooperation, or conflict interact within the social setting and, given that these relations or

processes are abstract in nature, society also exists abstractly in nature. Therefore, a network of

social relations between members constitutes society (Mondal, 2018).

Society is abstract

As noted above, society is a web of social relationships which makes is an abstract

concept. As much as these relationships persist, they are intangible forces that interconnect the

human beings. In its essence, society is thus a state or a condition which consists of customs,

traditions, mores and cultures which are all abstracts (Mondal, 2018).
CHARACTERISTICS OF SOCIETY 3

Likeness

For several people to function together as a society, they need to have a semblance of

some sorts. This similarity is an important characteristic of society. It is this resemblance in ideals,

values, behaviour and other features of living together which instils a shared awareness of

belonging together and this is the essence of a society (Yogesh, 2018.). It is for this reason that a

society composes of similarly oriented individuals who associate with each other, develop

friendships, and strive to understand each other.

Differences

Another important characteristic of a society is the need for contrast. Much as a society

depends on the similarity of its membership, it equally requires for a contrast of sorts in its

members too (Chandra, 2014). It is this difference among its constituents that provides

complementarity of functions of its parts and make social relations possible, else, there would be

little exchange and relations would cease. Exchange and complementarity thrive in contrast. If all

people felt, reasoned and acted the same and if they held the same opinions and values, cultures

would stagnate.

Interdependence

Because of the differences in the dispositions among the individual components of a

society, there arises the need for interdependence. No individual is self-sufficient in the society

and for that reason, each one depends on the others for food, shelter and security among other

needs (Bosco, 2017).

Cooperation and conflict

A society needs for its members to cooperate and at the same time to conflict. The

cooperation allows for the members to share experiences. On the other hand, conflict is equally
CHARACTERISTICS OF SOCIETY 4

important since it becomes an agent of consolidation to strengthen social relations. Conflict is

necessary for the progress of any society since it incites activity among the members because,

whenever conflict manifests, mechanisms of resolution are engaged and this makes the society

alive and active (Bosco, 2017).

Sense of belonging

Behind the traits of likeness and dependence on one another even in the face of conflicts

lies the emotional need of belonging and the need for acceptance within one’s social setting. This

may be manifested when one accepts himself as a natural member of a family, a friendship, a

religious setting and the like. This need to belong creates the need to give and receive attention to

others and is therefore an important driving force in a society and provides a close and secure

relationship with the other members of society (Yogesh, 2018).

Society is dynamic

Because the society is an entity of social forces which in turn are engendered by the social

human being whose life’s direction is impacted by the changes in his environment, the very nature

of society is therefore dynamic (Bosco, 2017). Social dynamics refers to the relationships and

behaviour within societies that results from the interactions of the individual members of that

society. For this reason, the old customs, traditions, values and institutions may be modified and

new customs and modern values are developed as a manifestation of this dynamism.

Integral culture

Each society has its own culture that distinguishes it from others culture as its integral part

which satisfies the needs of its social life. Culture is the way of life of the members of a society

and includes many social aspects like language, customs, values, norms, customs, rules, tools,

technologies, products, organizations and institutions. It is noteworthy that each society transmits
CHARACTERISTICS OF SOCIETY 5

its cultural pattern to the subsequent generations. Through culture, people and groups define

themselves, conform to the shared values of society and contribute to enrich it (Chandra, 2014).

Division of labour

Because society is constituted of individuals with different dispositions, there arises the

need for the division of labour. This allows for individuals to specialize in certain tasks which

makes production easy and efficient, enhances interdependence of parts and promotes the

economic progress. It is noteworthy that division of labour enhances specialisation which in turn

leads to experimentations and innovations (Yogesh, 2018).

Permanence

It is noteworthy that society is not a temporary organisation of individuals. It is an entity

that exists because of the social nature of human beings, and influences and influenced at the same

time by the individual. It exists apart from the individual, and in the cessation of the individual, the

society lives on ((Yogesh, 2018)

CHARACTERISTICS OF SOCIETY 6

References

Bosco, S. (2017 , May 11). The 10 Most Important Characteristics of Society. Retrieved from

lifepersona.com: https://www.lifepersona.com/the-10-most-important-characteristics-of-

society

Chandra, D. (2014, February 6). Characteristics of Human Society. Retrieved from Hubpages:

https://hubpages.com/education/Characteristics-of-Human-Society

Farooq, U. (2011, December 25). Characteristics of Society - Sociology Notes. Retrieved from

studylecturenotes.com: http://www.studylecturenotes.com/social-sciences/sociology/251-

characteristics-of-society-sociology-notes

Mondal, P. (2018, November 17). Society: Sociologist Views, Characteristics and Definitions.

Retrieved from Your Article Library: http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/society/society-

sociologist-views-characteristics-and-definitions/35064

Yogesh. (2018, November 17). Society: 12 Most Important Characteristics of Society. Retrieved

from Preservearticles.com: http://www.preservearticles.com/2013082333385/society-12-

most-important-characteristics-of-society-1061-words.html