S. F. Nadel: Concept and Nadel on Social Structure, Three Criteria of Social Structure
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Introduction
- Siegfried Frederick Nadel
- Born April 24,1903, Vienna
- Austrian-born British anthropologist
- Studies on African ethnology
Books
- The Theory of Social Structure 1958 (posthumously published)
- The Foundations of Social Anthropology 1951
- The Theory of Social Structure
Concept of Social Structure
- System, institution, or pattern
- Several parts put together to form an integrated whole
- Compared to human body
- “Structure refers to a definable articulation, and ordered arrangements of parts. It is related to the outer aspect or the framework of a society and is totally unconcerned with the functional part of the society.” – Nadel, 1942
Nadel on Social Structure
- ‘Structure relates to definable articulation, ordered arrangements of parts, of social relations into structural roles and positions.’
- Social roles crucial in the analysis of social structure.
- Social structures are networks of social relations
- Can be studied in terms of coherence or interlocking into system
- These networks are created among the individuals when they interact with each other according to their status in accordance with the patterns of a society.
- Social structure is relatively invariant or unchangeable while the parts are variable or changeable according to the rules in the society.
- The rules and patterns are limited and do not change easy therefore there is orderliness in the society
- If the change in the parts do not adhere to the institutionalized rules it would lead to chaos.
Three Criteria of Social Structure
Social structure is based on:
- Repetitiveness of social phenomena
- Durability of the social phenomena
- Moving equilibrium
MCQ
Q. 1. Who has classified roles as ‘Pivotal,’ ‘Sufficiently relevant’ and ‘Peripheral’ in his theory of social structure?
(1) A. R. Radcliffe – Brown
(2) S. F. Nadel
(3) G. P. Murdock
(4) C. Levi – Strauss
Answer: (2) S. F. Nadel
Q. 2. Who has considered that social structure is made up through the internal structure of roles?
(1) A. R. Radcliffe-Brown
(2) R. K. Merton
(3) R. Linton
(4) S. F. Nadel
Answer: (4) S. F. Nadel
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✍ Manishika