Definition of Association in Sociology: Examples and Characteristic

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When it comes to the sociological term, definition of association is a unity where some people do some efforts to achieve their common purposes together. An association can be said as a social community if it meets some factors: Awareness of being in the same condition, social relation, there is an orientation to the appointed purposes. Further, some association examples will explain more about it. When it comes to the sociological term, definition of association is a unity where some people do some efforts to achieve their common purposes together. An association can be said as a social community if it meets some factors: Awareness of being in the same condition, social relation, there is an orientation to the appointed purposes. Further, some association examples will explain more about it.

definition of association
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Definition of Association, Examples, and Characteristic

Association is a process of interaction that underlies social institutions formations. In other words, definition of association is a group of people with some common goals or objectives. Some individuals are the members of the association. As long as they have some similarities in aims, the association obviously exists. When it discusses about association definition, stating the theory of sociologist is also needed. Association theory from Thorndike is a learning theory which contents the relationship between a stimulus and response. So, according to Thorndike, the definition of association can be “a relationship between each response with mutual production. Therefore, association theory is also called as a connectionism or “S-R Bond Theory”.

For your information, the association examples include association of doctoral in criminology, association of teacher, association of Asian student in Europe, Association of Breastfeeding Mothers (ABM), Association of Advocates, etc. From those examples, we can see that the association comes with profession similarities, background similarities, and aim similarities. With no association, it is almost impossible to achieve particular goals. The association also allows the member to obtain recognition, support, and acknowledgement which are hard to achieve if each of them walks individually.

In addition, some association examples assert the purpose of why it is formed. Learning the association definition and examples, it can be concluded that the characteristics of association are:

  • A group of individuals. No association can be formed without a group of individuals
  • Common Interest, aims, and ideals. An association consists of those who have some interest, aims, and ideals to achieve, not only a collection of members
  • Regulations and rules. Since an association is basically an organized group, It works on the path called regulations and rules. Both of them guide the how the relationship works between its members
  • Legal status. The existing regulations and rules sign that an association is a formal organization where each member is responsible to each role
  • Cooperative spirit. An association is able to stand with the cooperative spirit of each member to achieve the common goals and aims

READ: Definition of Association in Sociology: Examples and Characteristic

Considering the definition, examples and characteristic, what is actually the most important function of association in sociological term? Of course, it is a “place” to strengthen each member’s role and ability in pursuing some goals. For society, an association is important to signify that a particular role or profession does exist.

Though the definition of association comes in several versions, the points are actually same. The association works due to the similarities of goals or common interest. If there is no similarity in goal or aim, there won’t be an association.

Santiash

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