Social processes are the ways in which individuals and groups interact, adjust and readjust and establish relationships and pattern of behaviour which are again modified through social interactions.
The concept of social process refers to some of the general and recurrent forms that social interaction may take. The interaction or mutual activity is the essence of social life. Interaction between individuals and groups occurs in the form of social process. Social processes refers to forms of social interaction that occur again and again.
Types of Social Processes
There are hundreds of social processes. But we find some fundamental social processes that are found to appear repeatedly in Society. These fundamental processes are socialisation, cooperation, conflict, competition, accommodation, acculturation and assimilation etc. Loomis classified social processes into two categories; the elemental and the comprehensive or master processes.
He describes elemental processes are those by which the separate Elements of the social system are articulated and comprehensive processes are those by which several or all of the elements are articulated or involved. These elements are beliefs (knowledge), sentiment, end or goal, norm, status-role (position), rank, power, sanction, and facility.
Social Interaction
Man is a social animal. It is difficult for him to live in isolation. They always live in groups. As members of these groups they act in a certain manner. Their behaviour is mutually affected. This interaction or mutual activity is the essence of social life. Social life is not possible without interactions.
Social interactions are reciprocal relationships which not only influence the interacting individuals but also the quality of relationships. According to Gillin and Gillin, “By social interaction we refer to social relations of all sorts in functions – dynamic social relations of all kinds – whether such relations exist between individual and individual, between group and group and group and individual, as the case may be”.
When the interacting individuals or groups influence the behaviour of each other it is called social interaction. People in action with one another means interaction of some kind. But not every kind of action is social.
When people and their attitudes are involved the process become social. Social interaction may then be defined as that dynamic interplay of forces in which contact between persons and groups result in a modifications of the attitudes and behaviour of the participants.
Cooperation
Cooperation is one of fundamental processes of social life. It is a form of social process in which two or more individuals or groups work together jointly to achieve common goals. Cooperation is the form of social interaction in which all participants benefit by attaining their goals.
Cooperation permeates all aspects of social organisation from the maintenance of personal friendships to the successful operation of international programmes. The struggle for exists forces the human beings not only to form groups but also to cooperate with each other.
The term ‘cooperation’ has been derived from two Latin words – ‘Co’ meaning ‘together and Operary meaning ‘to work’. Hence, cooperation means working together for the achievement of a common goal or goals. When two or more persons work together to gain common goal, it is called cooperation. Boys cooperate in games, men in business, workers in production, and public officials in community controls and so on, in an endless variety of beneficial activities that make possible an integrated social life.
Co-operation means working together in the pursuit of like or common interests. It is defined by Green as “the continuous and common Endeavour of two or more persons to perform a task or to reach a goal that is commonly cherished.
The impossibility of solving many of our personal problems alone cause to work with others. Cooperation also results from necessity. It would be impossible to operate a modern factory, a large department store, or an educational system if the divisions and branches in each do not work together.
Struggle / conflict
Another significant dissociative social process is conflict. It is an ever present process in human society. Whenever a person or persons or groups seek to gain reward not by surpassing other competitors but by preventing them from effective competition, conflict takes place. In other words, it is a competition in its more hostile and personal forms. It is a process of seeking to obtain rewards by eliminating or weakening the competitors. It is seen that conflict makes an individual or group try to frustrate the effort of another individual or group who are seeking the same object. It implies a struggle or fight among individuals or groups for a particular purpose or a number of purposes.
or example, the movements like Civil Disobedience, Non- Co-operation and Satyagraha launched by Mahatma Gandhi against the Britishers in India before Independence are conflict. Even in today’s society conflict is found in every sphere like caste, religion, language, culture and so on. Thus it is considered as a universal social process.
Competition
Competition is one of the dissociative from of social processes. It is actually the most fundamental form of social struggle. It occurs whenever there is an insufficient supply of anything that human beings desire, in sufficient in the sense that all cannot have as much of it as they wish. Ogburn and Nimkoff say that competition occurs when demand out turns supply. People do not complete for sunshine, air and gifts of nature because they are abundant in supply.
But people compete for power, name, fame, glory, status, Money, luxuries and other things which are not easily available. Since scarcity is in a sense an inevitable condition of social life, competition of some sort or the other is found in all the societies.
In any society, for example, there are normally more people who want jobs than there are jobs available; hence there is competition for them. Among those who are already employed, there is likewise competition for better jobs. There is thus competition not only for bread but for luxuries, power, social, position, mates, fame and all other things not available for one’s asking.
Competition is found in every society and in every age. It is found in every group. It is one aspect of struggle which is universal not only in human society but also in the plant and animal worlds. It is the natural result of the universal struggle for existence.
Competition is not a personal action. It is an ‘interaction without social contact.” The competitors are not in contact and do not know one another. They do not compete with each other on a personal level. The attention of all the competitors is fixed on the goal or the reward they aim at. Due to this reason competition is known as an impersonal affair.
Competition takes place on the unconscious level. Achievement of goal or the reward is regarded as the main object of competitors. Rarely they do know about other competitors. For example, the students of a particular class get engaged to secure the highest marks in the final- examination. They do not conceive of their classmates as competitors. Students may, no doubt, be conscious of the competition and much concerned about marks.
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Social processes are the ways in which people interact with each other and the ways in which these interactions shape society. Socialization, social interaction, Social influence, social Cognition, social groups, social networks, social movements, Social Change, social stratification, social inequality, social conflict, social cohesion, social order, social deviance, social control, social Justice, social policy, and social work are all examples of social processes.
Socialization is the process by which people learn the norms, values, and beliefs of their society. It begins at birth and continues throughout life. Socialization is important because it helps people to understand their place in society and to function effectively in social groups.
Social interaction is the process by which people communicate and interact with each other. It can take place in a variety of settings, such as face-to-face interactions, online interactions, and group interactions. Social interaction is important because it allows people to share information, build relationships, and achieve common goals.
Social influence is the process by which people’s attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors are affected by others. It can be positive or negative, and it can be intentional or unintentional. Social influence is important because it helps people to conform to social norms and to behave in ways that are acceptable to others.
Social cognition is the process by which people think about and understand other people. It includes processes such as attribution, stereotyping, and prejudice. Social cognition is important because it helps people to make sense of the social world and to interact effectively with others.
Social groups are collections of people who interact with each other on a regular basis. They can be formal or informal, and they can be based on shared interests, goals, or experiences. Social groups are important because they provide people with a sense of belonging, support, and identity.
Social networks are the webs of social relationships that connect people to each other. They can be formal or informal, and they can be based on shared interests, goals, or experiences. Social networks are important because they provide people with access to Resources, information, and support.
Social movements are organized efforts to bring about social change. They can be peaceful or violent, and they can be successful or unsuccessful. Social movements are important because they can help to bring about positive social change.
Social change is the process by which society changes over time. It can be caused by a variety of factors, such as technological innovation, Economic Development, and political upheaval. Social change is important because it allows society to adapt to new challenges and opportunities.
Social stratification is the system by which people are ranked in a hierarchy based on their social status. It can be based on factors such as wealth, power, or prestige. Social stratification is important because it affects people’s access to resources, opportunities, and social mobility.
Social inequality is the unequal distribution of resources, opportunities, and power in society. It can be based on factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, or social class. Social inequality is important because it can lead to social problems such as POVERTY, crime, and violence.
Social conflict is the struggle between different groups in society over scarce resources or power. It can be peaceful or violent, and it can be resolved through negotiation, compromise, or force. Social conflict is important because it can lead to social change.
Social cohesion is the degree to which members of a society share common values and goals and feel a sense of unity. It is important because it helps to promote social order and stability.
Social order is the state of peace and stability in society. It is maintained through a variety of mechanisms, such as laws, norms, and values. Social order is important because it allows people to live and work together in a peaceful and productive manner.
Social deviance is behavior that violates the norms of society. It can be minor, such as jaywalking, or major, such as murder. Social deviance is important because it can lead to social problems such as crime and violence.
Social control is the process by which society regulates the behavior of its members. It can be informal, such as peer pressure, or formal, such as laws and law enforcement. Social control is important because it helps to maintain social order.
Social justice is the fair and equal treatment of all people. It is important because it helps to create a just and equitable society.
Social policy is the set of laws, programs, and regulations that governments use to address social problems. It is important because it can help to improve the lives of people in society.
Social work is the profession that helps people to solve and cope with problems in their everyday lives. It is important because it helps people to improve their social and economic well-being.
Sociology is the scientific study of society. It is important because it helps us to understand the social world and to make informed decisions about social issues.
1. What is social interaction?
Social interaction is the way that people act towards each other. It can be verbal or nonverbal, and it can take place in a variety of settings. Social interaction is important because it allows people to communicate, build relationships, and learn about each other.
2. What are the different types of social interaction?
There are many different types of social interaction, but some of the most common include:
Conversation: This is a type of social interaction that involves two or more people exchanging words.
Conflict: This is a type of social interaction that involves two or more people disagreeing with each other.
Cooperation: This is a type of social interaction that involves two or more people working together to achieve a common goal.
Competition: This is a type of social interaction that involves two or more people trying to achieve a goal that only one person can win.
3. What are the benefits of social interaction?
There are many benefits to social interaction, including:
Improved Communication skills: Social interaction can help people to develop their communication skills, which can be beneficial in all areas of life.
Increased self-esteem: Social interaction can help people to feel good about themselves and their place in the world.
Reduced Stress levels: Social interaction can help to reduce stress levels and improve mental Health.
Improved physical health: Social interaction can help to improve physical health by reducing the risk of obesity, heart disease, and other health problems.
4. What are the challenges of social interaction?
There are also some challenges associated with social interaction, including:
Social anxiety: Social anxiety is a fear of social situations and interactions. It can make it difficult for people to interact with others in a comfortable and confident way.
Rejection: Rejection is a common experience in social interaction. It can be difficult to deal with rejection, and it can sometimes lead to people avoiding social situations altogether.
Conflict: Conflict is a natural part of social interaction. It can be difficult to deal with conflict, and it can sometimes lead to people feeling angry, frustrated, or hurt.
5. How can I improve my social skills?
There are many things you can do to improve your social skills, including:
Practice talking to people: The more you talk to people, the more comfortable you will become in social situations.
Pay attention to your body language: Your body language can send a lot of signals to other people, so it is important to be aware of how you are standing, sitting, and moving.
Be a good listener: Listening is just as important as talking, so make sure you are really listening to what other people are saying.
Be positive: People are more likely to want to interact with you if you are positive and upbeat.
Be yourself: The most important thing is to be yourself. People can usually tell when you are being fake, so it is important to be genuine in your interactions with others.
Which of the following is not a social process? (A) Socialization (B) Social interaction (C) Social stratification (D) Social change
Which of the following is the most basic social process? (A) Socialization (B) Social interaction (C) Social stratification (D) Social change
Which of the following is the process by which individuals learn the norms and values of their society? (A) Socialization (B) Social interaction (C) Social stratification (D) Social change
Which of the following is the process by which individuals interact with each other? (A) Socialization (B) Social interaction (C) Social stratification (D) Social change
Which of the following is the process by which individuals are ranked in a hierarchy based on their social status? (A) Socialization (B) Social interaction (C) Social stratification (D) Social change
Which of the following is the process by which societies change over time? (A) Socialization (B) Social interaction (C) Social stratification (D) Social change
Which of the following is a positive social change? (A) The invention of the printing press (B) The abolition of slavery (C) The Women‘s suffrage movement (D) All of the above
Which of the following is a negative social change? (A) The Industrial revolution (B) The rise of the Nazi Party (C) The Rwandan genocide (D) All of the above
Which of the following is a social institution? (A) The family (B) The economy (C) The government (D) All of the above
Which of the following is a social role? (A) The role of a parent (B) The role of a student (C) The role of a worker (D) All of the above
Which of the following is a social norm? (A) The norm of reciprocity (B) The norm of cooperation (C) The norm of honesty (D) All of the above
Which of the following is a social value? (A) The value of Equality (B) The value of freedom (C) The value of justice (D) All of the above
Which of the following is a social group? (A) A family (B) A friendship group (C) A work group (D) All of the above
Which of the following is a social Network? (A) The network of friends and family that you interact with on a regular basis (B) The network of colleagues that you interact with at work (C) The network of online friends that you interact with through Social Media (D) All of the above
Which of the following is a social movement? (A) The civil rights movement (B) The women’s rights movement (C) The environmental movement (D) All of the above