DEFINITION OF COMMUNITY

SOCIOLOGICAL
Sociology is the scientific study of society, patterns of
social relationships, social interaction, and culture of
everyday life. It is a social science that uses various
methods of empirical investigation and critical
analysis to develop a body of knowledge about social
order, acceptance, and change or social evolution.
Many sociologists aim to conduct research that may be
applied directly to social policy and welfare, while
others focus primarily on refining the theoretical
understanding of social processes. Subject matter
ranges from the micro-sociology level of
individual agency and interaction to the macro level of
systems and the social structure.
Social Science perspective toward
understanding communities is premised
on the social dimension of individual life-
the interactions, relationship, and bonds
formed by individuals with other
individuals and how these are manifested
in the formation of organizations within
communities.
Greek thinkers like Plato have conceptualized the
ideal (political) community, referred to as the
polis(city-states), to be various classes, each
performing roles and functions in pursuit of
communal goals. Alongside Plato’s idea of a political
community. Aristotle emphasized the role of political
institution in maintaining and sustaining order
within a community. From these, idea and
conceptualizations of community have evolved
through the historical junctures of western
civilization.
The study of communities using a social science perspective goes beyond
knowledge of the origins and history of communities. A social science
perspective can be employed to learn how a community deals with
problem and crises. Take the case of disaster- affected communities. A
sociological lens may be used to gather valuable insights about how
members of a community work as a collective in order to address the
effects of a disaster to life and livelihood. Political sciences draws attention
to the interactive political process between societal forces and government
agencies in preparing and responding to disasters. Through the close study
of the attributes and values of communities, anthropology can offer insight
on how disaster management agencies can affectively communicate
disaster preparedness and response strategies to community member.
Below are some general definition of community using a social
science perspective:
1. An informally organized social entity, characterized by a sense
of identity:
2. A group of people living in the same defined area, sharing
common basic values, organization, and interest;
3. A population which is geographically focused existing as unique
social entity with a collective identity and purpose; and
4. A group of people with diverse characteristics, linked by social
ties, formed and consolidated by their collective aspiration,
sharing and exchanging perspectives, and are collectively
engaged to do some concerted action in a geographical
location or settings.
INSTITUTIONAL PERSPECTIVE

Communities have a mechanism for

coordinating values, goals and actions of its
individual members. Social institution
perform this function. Social institution
arise from voluntary shared agreements
among individuals that generally also shaped
this behavior as collective.
Institutions are established rules that
ensure the regular and predictable
behavior of actors within a community.
Nobel laureate Douglass North describes
institutions as the “ rules of the games”
that shape a community and society in
general. Geoffrey Hodgson qualifies this
by suggesting that institutions both
constrain and enable.
In board terms, institutions are categorized as formal and
informal

Formal institutions are explicitly communicated,

embodies in legally codified documents or artifacts

Ex. Are laws and policies that are implemented by a

government agency or office.
•Informal institution on the other hand, are
practices, norms, traditions, culture,
conduct, and beliefs system of a community.
These are not codified or written, but are
nonetheless embedded in communities,
operating due to the interactive process of
preference ex-changes and social
expectations that occur therein
Activity
The group will present the differentiated activity of the following:
Group 1: Analysis of the meaning of community based on sociological
perspective.
Group 2: Venn Diagram of the three perspective of community. Locate where
does the three intersect and does not.
Group 3: Discuss through graphic organizer the group’s understanding of
their community sociologically.
Group 4: Synthesizer (or assigned to other group).

The activities are guide by rubrics.

Presentation of the outputs
How does the presentation reflect our own community?
Does all of the perspectives signifies to our family as the basis unit.
Civil Society Perspective
The terms civil society conventionally refers to a political community
of organized group operating within the authoritative parameters of
the state.
The Elements of a Community:
Nature and Power Structures
Nature: A Community is a sociological construct
- the concept of a community is not a
“construct”(model); it is a sociological construct
or a set of interactions or human behaviors that
have meaning and expectations between its
member. There is not just action, but action based
on shared expectations, values, beliefs, and
meanings between individuals.
Community has fuzzy boundaries. –
when a community is a little village
separated by a few kilometers from
other villages in a rural area, its
boundaries appear at first to be very
simple.
Village Residents: sisters, brothers,
cousins, parents, and relatives living
elsewhere
Community can exist within a large community –
there may be communities within larger
communities, including districts, regions, ethic
groups, nations, and other boundaries. There may
be marriages and other interactions that link the
villages of a nation together.
Community may move – when technology is not
based on local horticulture, the community
residents may be physically mobile.
 The Structure of a Community
In a community, change agents put premium in
understanding power structure. Community power
structures is about the distribution of power at local
community level ( Sociology Guide).
Power in the community is the capacity to
influence the decision-making and distribution
processes, to bring about changes and get things
done.
Bases of Local Description
Community Power
Connections The capacity to create linkages and develop helpful
relationship with powerful individuals, family, and
organizations
Power in numbers The base, back-up, and support of the people in the
community
Rewards The ability to provide awards, promotion, money, and gifts
that are useful to meet individual or organizational goals
Personal Traits/ The capacity to foster respect and loyalty based on charm,
Expertise talents, and skills
Legitimate Power The leadership title or higher organizational or institutional
position
Information The ability to keep or share information
Coercion Influence through manipulation and coercion