The concept and meaning of social process: 

1. Society is not static. It is ever changing. Changes came through interaction among society. The interaction reflects in the activities of human beings in society through contact and communication.

In this context, there are certain mechanisms by which individuals and groups carry out activities according to their needs and requirements, which are known as 'social processes'.

Thus "social process means various modes of interaction between individuals or groups including cooperation and conflict, social differentiation and integration, development, arrest and decay." In other words, "social process is a manner in which the relations of the members of a group, once brought together, acquire a certain distinctive character."

2. Cooperation, competition and conflict mark the basic principles of various types of activities performed by the individuals in a given social context.

3. Social process has a wider connotation. It comprises events that took place in the past. It is also based on traditions, mores, morals and instincts. These may be abstract and unconscious in nature, whereas social interaction is concrete, based on reciprocity, real and social contact. 

4. The social process is concerned with different changes in the life of the group. It depends upon the nature of interaction, which may include the historical, cultural, political and economic, religious and social aspects. Interaction refers to an action done in response to another action. It becomes a social process when interaction is repeated.

5. When a husband and wife help each other out of love, affection and sympathy, it assumes the form of co-operation and it becomes a social process.