Which of the following is not an institution?

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2024

Explanation

An individual refers to a single person, which is the basic unit of a society but not an institution itself.
A social institution is a large-scale, organized system of social norms, beliefs, and roles that addresses a fundamental societal need (e.g., governance, procreation, education).
While individuals participate in and are shaped by institutions, a single person does not constitute a structured, enduring social mechanism with collective rules and procedures.
The key distinction is between a single entity (individual) and a complex, collective system (institution).

Option A: This is incorrect because marriage is a classic example of a social institution that formalizes relationships and has established cultural and legal norms.
Option B: This is incorrect. The family is universally recognized as the primary and most fundamental social institution in all societies.
Option C: This is incorrect. The state is a major political and social institution responsible for governance, law, and maintaining social order.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Definition and examples of social institutions as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding social institutions is crucial for community health nursing, as institutions like family and state policies directly impact health behaviors, access to care, and community well-being.
A nurse's assessment of a patient must consider their family structure (an institution) and how it influences their support system and health decisions.
State-level institutions (e.g., public health departments, insurance regulations) create the framework within which nurses practice and patients receive care.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept in the question, which is 'institution'.
Note the negative keyword 'not'. This signals that you must find the option that does not fit the definition of an institution.
Define 'social institution' in your mind: a structured system of norms and roles that organizes society (like government, family, education).
Evaluate each option against this definition.
Recognize that 'Marriage', 'Family', and 'State' are all large, structured systems that govern behavior.
Identify 'Individual' as referring to a single person, which is a component of a system, not the system itself. This makes it the correct outlier.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Definition and examples of social institutions.
Stem keywords: institution
Lead-in keywords: not
Negative lead-in flag: Question asks for the exception (what is NOT an institution).

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E6 Applied Sociology for Nurses TK Indrani p. 208-210

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 2 — Subpart A (pp 1-232 of 464) p. 208-210

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Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.