Man is a social being. It is
difficult for man to live in isolation. Men always live in various groups and
associations. As members of these groups they Act and behave in a certain
manner. The behavior of each individual is affected by the behavior of the other.
This interaction is the essence of social life. In other words, it is the key
factor in all social lives.
Thus, social interaction is
the dynamic interplay of men within social structures. It is the basic process
through which human nature and social structure develop and are changed.
Social processes have been
classified numerously by the sociologists. The fundamental social processes are
– interaction, socialization, cooperation, conflict and competition,
accommodation and assimilation, etc.
However, the major forms of social
interaction are -
- Cooperation
- Conflict
- Competition
- Accommodation
- Assimilation
These are discussed in details as
follows:
- Cooperation
Cooperation is one of the
fundamental processes of social life. At the same time, cooperation is the most
pervasive and continuous of the social processes. It is an integrating
activity. It means working together in the pursuit of common interests or
common goal.
Green defined cooperation as ” the continuous and common endeavor
of two or more persons to perform a task or to realize a goal that is commonly
cherished. “
Cooperation is a universal
phenomenon. It is so important in the life of an individual that it is
difficult to survive without it. Cooperation for human beings is both a psychological
and a social necessity.
There are 2 modes of cooperation in
a social life –
- Direct cooperation – includes “those activities in which men do like things together ” – play together , worship together , etc.
- Indirect cooperation – is found wherever people perform unlike tasks towards a single end – like where there is a division of labor or mass production.
All the progress that mankind has
made in various fields is to be attributed to the cooperating spirit of the
people. Collective goals in our social life cannot be achieved without
cooperation .
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- Competition
Competition is the most fundamental
form of opposition or social struggle. It is a struggle of two or more persons
for the same object which is so limited that all cannot share it.
According to Anderson and Parker,
“competition is that form of social action in which we strive against each
other for the possession of or use of some limited material and non-material
good.”
In our society, for instance, there
is competition for jobs, for goods, power , social position, fame and all other
things one cannot get by mere asking. Thus competition goes on an impersonal
manner. The eye is on the goal or reward rather than the competitors.
Competition therefore, exists
everywhere, but appears in many ways. It varies as to scope, intensity and type
from one system to another. It performs many useful functions in our society.
Competition tends to stimulate
economy, efficiency, and inventiveness. It tends to increase one’s ego and to
give one satisfaction. Since competition rests upon a set of rules, it creates
respect for the ruling of the game.
- Conflict
Conflict is as ever-present process
in human relations. Conflict is universal and occurs in all places and at all
time. There has never been a time or a society in which some individuals or
groups did not come into conflict .
Conflict therefore, expresses itself
in thousands of ways and degrees and over every range of human contact.
A.W. Green defines conflict as ” the deliberate attempt to oppose,
resist or coerce the will of another or others .
Darwin states that – “the principles of struggle for existence and
survival of the fittest are the main causes of conflict .”
Mac Iver and Page defined conflict as – that form of struggle in which “men
contend against one other for any object . “
Conflict generally occurs due to
individual differences, cultural differences, clash of interests and social
changes. Conflict serves as constructive and positive ends. In corporate
conflicts – that is, between groups and societies, solidarity and
fellow-feelings are increased. But conflict in its extreme form brings war and
destruction of lives and property.
- Accommodation
If conflict goes on for an
indefinite period, our social life becomes unbearable. Hence, attempts are
always made for the resolution of conflicts. Accommodation means resolution of
conflict by adjusting oneself to the new environment.
According to Mac Iver and Page, ” The term accommodation refers particularly to the
process on which man attains a sense of harmony with his environment. “
Accommodation is the term used by
the sociologists to describe the process by those once in conflict who an work
together in common enterprises. It brings arrangements which permit groups to
work together.
A structure of interdependent roles
arises and organizes people in ways which permit them to live and Act in spite
of differences in latent hostility. Thus, the social order arises through the
process of accommodation.
Accommodation is thus, the basis of
all social organizations.
- Assimilation
Assimilation is the process whereby
persons and groups acquire the culture of the other persons and groups in which
they come to live – by adopting its attitudes and values and its way of
life.
Assimilation is therefore, another
form of interaction which cannot be neglected in the social process. But the
same time , the extreme differences in cultural background, prejudice and
physical differences usually Act as barriers to assimilation.
