SOCIAL ORGANISATIONS

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Social organization is an important area of study by the social scientists. You should bear with me that all societies are , some simple, others complex. It is a thing of interest to note that social organization gives the basis for maintaining order in a society and for predicting its behaviour as well as those of its members. You should note that it is usually being emphasised that the units in social organization could be individuals, institutions or a social organization can be organization or . The form which a social organization takes has to do with its complexing and its defined or vagues, simple or multiple, but changing functions.

2.0 OBJECTIVES

At the end of this unit, you should be able to:

1. explain “social organization” 
2.  identify levels of social 
3. explain the roles of individuals in social organization. 

3.0 MAIN CONTENT

3.1 Meaning of Social Organisation

Social organization has been considered by social scientists as indicating an organization in which individuals and relationships are ordered with reference to the goals of the society concerned. Social organization is said to have two aspects which include, first, the form of structure which relates to the fact that all the individuals and institutions that compose a society are given sizes and positions which functions in an interrelated pattern.

Secondly, social organization has been seen as a process. This has to do with the order of the social organization i.e. how the components of the society are ordered. As a matter of fact, social organization is said to be dynamic. Usually, there is growth, and adaptation in the structure as well as in the functions of any social organization.

SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 1

Describe social organization.

3.2 Levels of Social Organisation

There are three levels of social, namely: inter-personal level, group level and the total level of the society. The inter-personal level usually occurs between persons, it is the most elementary form of social organization. Examples of interpersonal level of relationship include a teacher and his/her students, a father and his children, a pastor and his followers; a leader and his followers, etc. You should note that to study adequately social organization in any society, there is need for adequate knowledge of inter-personal relations.
The group level of social organization relates to a large number of people whose interests vary. When group relations are adequately studied, then people's attention to major areas of social conflict can be easily directed. Apart from this, it should be noted that social scientists particularly Sociologists, Social psychologists, etc. are usually interested on group behaviour.

The third and highest level of social organization, total level of the society, is made up of both interpersonal and inter-group relations. The inter-play between various groups is part of the organization at the societal level. You should bear in mind that it is at this level that various personal, institutional and group roles are related to one another.

SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 2

Describe the levels of social.

3.3 The Roles of Individuals in Social

Different individuals or institutions are not equally talented or equipped to function or perform adequately effectively. Social organization, however, recognizes and utilizes these inequalities amongst the components of any given society. This means that social organization signified some notions of division of1abour, of social differentiation and of differences in the capabilities of individuals. Obviously, the individual differences can be the result of physiological or hereditary elements or environmental factors.

On this note, social organization recognizes the importance of division of labour. People and institutions are arranged into different positions and roles which they hold in the service of the whole unit. Through this, the best in everybody is being utilized. As a matter of fact, every individual is given the opportunity to contribute his or her skill or ability in the activity in which he or she has been considered capable and fit for. Therefore, it is now interesting to note that social organization is an organization of roles. Every individual is a role player in any given society. Bodies such as school, church, mosque, military, police, etc are role players in any given society. For example, within government, there are role players in the executive arm of government, legislative arm of government and judiciary arm of government.

In addition, in our secondary school system, the role players include the principal, a number of vice- principals, Heads of Department, School Counsellors, some student representatives, etc.
A major point you should be aware of is that the various roles are not played just haphazardly. On this note, it is, therefore, the concern of social organization in ensuring that roles are ordered and also that positions are duly regulated.

SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 3

Explain what you understand by the role of individuals in social organization.

4.0 CONCLUSION

Social organization has been regarded as an important area for maintaining orderliness and possible prediction of human behaviour in any society. It emphasises the importance of division of labour which gives room for individuals to contribute their quotas to the functioning of a society based on their levels of skill and knowledge.

5.0 SUMMARY

In this unit; efforts has been made to define social organization and explain the levels of social organization. Efforts have also been made to describe the role of individual in social organization. Social organization has been described as an organization in which individuals and relationships are ordered with reference to the goals of the society. It is also being described that social organization is of three levels: interpersonal level, group level and the total level of the society.  It was also said that in social organization, the best of everybody is utilised in that every individual is given the opportunity to contribute his or her talent or labour in any activities he is considered capable and fit for.

6.0 TUTOR-MARKED ASSIGNMENT

1.  What do you understand by the term Social organization? b. Describe the roles of individuals in Social organization. 
2. Describe the levels of social organization.