SOCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL

FOUNDATIONS FOR SOCIAL WORK

4.1.SOCIETY
 CONTENTS

 WHAT IS SOCIETY ?
 MEANING OF SOCIETY.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF SOCIETY.
 TYPES OF SOCIETY.
WHAT IS SOCIETY?
The term society is derived from a
Latin word “societas”. The literal meaning of
societas is friend —ally or comrade. The term
was used to define the bond between parties who
were civil and friendly with one another.
However, in sociology the term society refers to
the group of people who live together in a
defined geographical territory and share same
culture. Society is sum of its total
relationships among individuals. Individuals
within a given society are continuously involved
in social interaction.
MEANING OF SOCIETY

Society can be defined as a group

of people, who share a common economic, social
and industrial infrastructure. Society is an
organization of people who share a common
cultural and social background. ... For example
the word society is used to refer to some
specific institution like, Brahmo Samaj, Arya
Samaj, etc.
CHARACTERISTICS OF SOCIETY

* Likeness
* Differences
* Inter dependence
* Co-operation and conflict
* Society is a network or a web of social
relationship
* Permanent nature
* Society is abstract
* Society is dynamic
* Comprehensive culture
* Something more than mere collection of
individuals
* Accommodation and assimilation
TYPES OF society-

* EARLIER SOCIETIES
a.Hunting and gatherer societies
b.Pastoral societies
* DEVELOPING SOCIETIES
a.Horticultural societies
b.Agricultural societies
* ADVANCED SOCIETIES
a.Industrial societies
b.Post-industrial societies
Hunter-gatherer societies
Hunter-gatherer societies are simple
socities and are about ten to twelve thousand
years old social structure as well as, such
societies indicates the basic structure of human
societies. Hunter-gatherer societies are those
societies which are based on kinship and tribes.
Societies such as these have subsistence economy
therefore, Individuals depend upon nature for
their basic survival. They hunt wild animals and
look for the uncultivated plants or fruits
since, they had no other means to satisfy their
hunger need.
HORTICULTURAL SOCEITIES
Pastoral and hunter gatherer were nomadic
and semi nomadic societies. Members of these
societies moved from one place to another due to
depletion of resources. Whereas, Individuals
within Horticultural societies had obtained the
ability to cultivate and grow plants without
moving from one place to another. Moreover,
structure of horticulture societies were complex
compare to previous discussed societies. These
societies consisted of more institutions other
than family and kinship including, government,
religion and revenue department. Societies such
as these were governed by the leaders with
hereditary authority (kings).
PASTROL SOCIETIES
About seven thousand year ago, people
learned how to tame and breed animals and
cultivate plants. Pastoral society’s survival
depend on the domestication of animals and
cultivation of plant. Hunter-gatherers relied upon
the existing resources, however, individuals
within pastoral societies obtain the ability to
bread animals and use them for different purposes
such as, food, transportation and clothing. They
are nomads as well, because they need fresh
feeding ground to breed animals. Unlike hunter
gatherer societies pastoral societies have
specialized occupation.
AGRICULTURAL SOCITIES
Individuals within agriculture societies
obtained the ability to develop metal tools,
wheels and better irrigation systems. This
latest technology was accompanied by new
techniques to cultivation.. Due to these
developments small towns grew into big cities as
well as less human resource was required for
production. Those Individual who were not
involved in production, moved to urban centers
and started to find work in growing number of
trades. This was the epoch when people have
leisure time on their hands, they utilized their
time by engaging in thoughtful, innovative and
creative activities, such as music, writing
philosophy, poetry and crafting.
INDUSTRIYAL SOCIETIES
Industrial revolution is considered special due
to the invention of energy generation
techniques. These new means of energy had
positive influence on individuals’ daily lives
within industrial societies. In 1972, James watt
and Matthew Bolton invented steam engine which
marked the beginning of industrial revolution.
In former societies the work which was completed
with the help of 12 horses could be performed
through energy generated by steam engine. The
task which was performed in months could be done
in days.
POST-INDUSTRIAL SOCIETIES
Postindustrial societies has higher
division of labor compare to industrial
societies. New statuses emerged in digital
societies such as, programmers, software
developers, store clerks, Walmart greeters etc…
Social class of individuals are based on
education. Those individual who obtain four
years professional degrees have good pay and
life style compare to others within information
society. Moreover, information technology have
changed the social structures of societies. The
ways of communication, participation in religion
and obtaining knowledge have drastically changed
within digital societies.
THANK YOU