social structure

is a set of ideas about the distribution of power in a society. It tolerates contradictions and ambivalence because it's form is a cultural form. It finds expression in the form of ritual expression.

I hold that social structure in practical situations (as contrasted with the sociologist's abstract model) consist of a set of ideas about ' the distribution of power between persons and groups of persons. Individuals can and do hold contradictory and inconsistent ideas about this system. They are able to do this without embarrassment because of the form in which their ideas are expressed. The form is cultural form... the expression is ritual expression' (Leach 1964:4).

is actually observed (e.g., the seashell) whereas structural form is the generalizations or inferences (e.g., the fibonacci sequence).

is an arrangement of persons in relationship defined and regulated by institutions.

A social structure is an arrangement of persons in relationships defined and regulated by institutions... and an institution is an established pattern of conduct, or a set of patterns, relating to some feature of social life. (R-Brown 1949: 322)

is composed of contradictory and inconsistent ideas that individuals hold about that system. Individuals are able to do this without embarrassment because of the form in which their ideas are expressed. The form is cultural form... the expression is ritual expression.

I hold that social structure in practical situations (as contrasted with ! the sociologist's abstract model) consist of a set of ideas about the distribution of power between persons and groups of persons: Individuals can and do hold contradictory and inconsistent ideas about this system. They are able to do this without embarrassment because of the form in which their ideas are expressed. The form is cultural form... the expression is ritual expression' (Leach 1964:4).

is composed simultaneously of schemas, which are virtual, and of resources, which are actual.

Social structures have a dual character, defined as composed simultaneously ofschemas, which are virtual, and of resources, which are actual. Schemas functionas fundamental tools of thought not the formally stated prescriptions but theinformal and not always conscious schemas, metaphors and assumptionspresupposed by such formal statements. Schemas are the effects of resources, justas resources as the effects of schemas. William Sewell 1992.

is not a mere abstraction, but a real thing.

For me, as for many others, there is such a thing as social structure. (R-Brown 1949: 322)

is patterned arrangements of role-sets, status-sets, and status sequences consciously recognized and regularly operative in a given society and closely bound up with legal and political norms and sanctions.

Social Structure. Patterned arrangements of role-sets, status-sets, and statussequences consciously recognized and regularly operative in a given society andclosely bound up with legal and political norms and sanctions.' Turner. Drama,Fields, and Metaphors, 237.

is regular, routine patterns of behavior (birth, death, marriage). Cultural systems are systems of symbols by which people understand and direct their lives.

social structure (regular, routine patterns of behavior: birth, death, marriage), and cultural systems (e.g. language and religion) as 'systems of symbols by which people understand and direct their lives' (Abbot 2002:44). it is close to the positivism/interpretism debate.

social structure, n.Definitions

social structure