Institutions are constituted of laws, rules and regulation, where as associations are comprised of human beings. So an association represents human aspect while an institution a social condition and behavior.
The difference between society and institution may be described below:- Society is a system of social relationship while institution is the organization of rules traditions and usages. Institutions are the forms of procedure which are recognized and accepted by society.
In society, moral ideas, knowledge and modes of behavior are transferred from one generation to another through the medium of institution. This helps younger generation in the solution of the problems confronting it.
The institution has definite procedures, which are formed on the basis of customs and dogmas. They prescribe the way of doing things. A marriage as an institution governs the relations between the husband and wife.
Institutions are usually defined as certain enduring and accepted forms of procedure governing the relations between individuals and groups. Every organisation depends upon certain recongnised and established set of rules, traditions and usages.
The concept of institution is one of the most important concepts in the entire field of sociology. Unfortunately, it is a concept that has not been consistently used by sociologists.