Social structure is the relatively solid and sustainable pattern in social action. The relationship can relate to persons, groups and institutions. Relationships are thereby determined by the social position and the social role. Each role requires a certain behavior according to certain social conventions. Compliance with this is reinforced by social control and internalization, the process whereby people make certain social rules, so that these rules will no longer be regarded as externally imposed, but as guidelines that they have chosen. >
The term "social structure" is also used in animal populations.
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