Traits of Major Social Institutions

Education
Attitudes and behavior patterns- love of knowledge,
class attendance, cramming, studying Symbolic culture traits school colors, mascots, school song Utilitarian traits- classroom, gymnasium, library, drom, labortatories

EDUCATION
Code of oral or written specifications accreditation,
rules, and curriculum Ideologies academic freedom; three Rs (reading, writing, arithmetic) progressive education

GOVERNMENT
Attitudes and behavior patterns- subordination, cooperativeness, loyalty, and obedience Symbolic culture traits- flag, seal, anthem, uniform Utilitarian traits- public buildings, public works, monuments, artistic works Code of oral or written specifications- constitution, treaties, orders, laws Ideologies- decentralization, nationalism, centralization, democracy, communism

BUSINESS
Attitudes and behavior patterns- efficiency, thrift, shrewdness,
cooperation Symbolic culture traits- trademark, patent sign, slogans, singing commercials Utilitarian Traits- shop, stores,factory, offices

Code of oral or written specifications- contracts, licences,

franchises Ideologies- laissez faire, managerial responsibility, rights of labor

FAMILY
Attitudes and behavior patterns- affection, love, loyalty
Symbolic culture traits- marriage ring, crest,coat of arms, Our Song Utilitarian Traits- home furniture Code of oral or written specifications- marriage license, will,

genealogy, laws
Ideologies-romantic love, togetherness, familialism

RELIGION
Attitudes and behavior patterns- reverence, loyalty, devotion, generosity
Symbolic culture traits- cross, icon, shrine, hymn Utilitarian Traits- church, edifice, monuments, artistic works

Code of oral or written specifications-creed, church law, sacred books,

doctrines Ideologies- Thomism, liberalism, fundamentalism, liberation theology

PIVOTAL INSTITUTIONS
In every given life situation, there are always key roles which are recognized by people as being the most important and influential among the numerous social roles and social relations which the social person enacts. The pivotal institution is to the culture what the key role is to the individual. For instance, there were times when Roman culture was dominated by the political, the Chinese by the familial, the Indian by the religious, and the Americans by the economic institutions

The Institutional System as a Total Culture

According to Fichter, the major institutions are conceptualized as a complete and continuous network in which the complete and continuous network in which both the total and all its segments are a functioning system. This is what is called the culture of society.