Human social networks - Typical Humans

Human Networks

Family network: This is the network of individuals that are related by blood or marriage. Family networks provide emotional support, care, and financial assistance.
Friendship network: This is the network of individuals that we form close relationships with through shared activities, interests, or experiences. Friendship networks provide emotional and social support.
Work network: This is the network of individuals that we interact with through our employment, including colleagues, supervisors, and clients. Work networks provide professional support, networking opportunities, and a sense of community.
Community network: This is the network of individuals that we interact with through our local community, including neighbors, religious groups, and volunteer organizations. Community networks provide a sense of belonging and social connections.
Online network: This is the network of individuals that we interact with through digital platforms, such as social media, email, and instant messaging. Online networks provide a means of communication and connection with people we may not be able to see in person.
Recreational network: This is the network of individuals that we interact with through shared hobbies, interests, or leisure activities. Recreational networks provide opportunities for socialization and relaxation.
Educational network: This is the network of individuals that we interact with through our educational experiences, including classmates, teachers, and professors. Educational networks provide a sense of community and opportunities for learning.
Support network: This is the network of individuals that we rely on for emotional, practical, or financial support during difficult times. Support networks can include friends, family, therapists, and support groups.

Social networks play an important role in human life, providing support, connection, and a sense of belonging. They can also have an impact on mental and physical health, and overall well-being.

Here are some systems arranged in increasing order of social interaction scale:

Individual systems (e.g., personal habits, thoughts, beliefs)
Dyadic systems (e.g., relationships between two people)
Small group systems (e.g., families, teams, committees)
Organizational systems (e.g., companies, non-profits, government agencies)
Community systems (e.g., neighbourhoods, cities, rural communities)
Societal systems (e.g., nations, cultures, global community)

What is social hierarchy?

Social hierarchy is a system in which individuals or groups are ranked based on their status, power, and influence. In a social hierarchy, individuals or groups at the top of the hierarchy have greater access to resources, opportunities, and privileges, while those at the bottom have less.

Social hierarchies can be found in many different types of societies, including human societies and animal societies, and they often reflect the distribution of power and resources within a given community. Examples of social hierarchies include corporate hierarchies, political systems, and caste systems.

In some cases, social hierarchies are established through formal institutions, such as laws, customs, and traditions. In other cases, they are established through informal means, such as the accumulation of wealth, the exercise of power, or the demonstration of superior ability.

Regardless of the means by which they are established, social hierarchies play a critical role in shaping the distribution of resources, opportunities, and privileges within a given society, and they can have a significant impact on the well-being and life chances of individuals and groups.

Social positioning practices refer to the ways in which individuals, groups, or organizations use various strategies to create and maintain social hierarchies or power structures within society. These practices include the ways in which social status, power, and resources are distributed and allocated among different groups or individuals. Some examples of social positioning practices include:

Discrimination: Discriminatory practices such as racism, sexism, and ableism are used to exclude certain groups of people from equal access to resources and opportunities based on their race, gender, or disability status.
Stereotyping: Stereotyping practices perpetuate harmful stereotypes and biases that create and reinforce social hierarchies. These stereotypes can be based on race, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and other factors.
Socialization: The process of socialization involves teaching individuals what is expected of them in terms of gender roles, behaviour, and beliefs. This can limit opportunities, limit potential and reinforce existing social hierarchies.
Institutions: Institutions such as schools, workplaces, and government agencies often perpetuate social hierarchies through their policies, practices, and procedures. For example, educational institutions may have policies that discriminate against certain groups of students, or workplaces may have policies that perpetuate gender or racial disparities in pay and promotion.
Media representation: The way that media represents different groups of people can shape societal attitudes and reinforce existing social hierarchies. For example, media representation can depict certain groups as inferior, criminal or dangerous, while others are portrayed as superior, heroic or perfect.

Economic systems: Economic systems such as capitalism and neoliberalism can reinforce social hierarchies through the unequal distribution of resources and opportunities. Wealth and income inequality can lead to unequal access to education, healthcare, and other essential services, further perpetuating social hierarchies.
Language: The use of language can be a powerful tool in shaping social hierarchies. It can be used to marginalize certain groups, as well as reinforce power dynamics within society.
Law and policies: Laws and policies can also reinforce social hierarchies. For example, discriminatory laws and policies can limit opportunities for certain groups of people, such as immigrants or people of colour.

It's important to note that these are not exhaustive examples and many other practices can be involved in shaping and maintaining social hierarchies. Additionally, these practices often overlap and interact in complex ways, and it's crucial to understand how they are interconnected to effectively address them.