Which of the following is NOT an example of a social institution?

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Prepare for the MCAT Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

The correct answer identifies leisure activities as not being a social institution. Social institutions refer to complex, durable systems that provide structure to social life and address fundamental societal needs. They include organizations or norms and practices that serve specific societal purposes and help shape behavior.

Education serves to transmit knowledge and cultural values across generations, while family is fundamental in socializing individuals and providing emotional and economic support. Religion organizes beliefs and practices around spiritual and moral frameworks that contribute to social cohesion.

Leisure activities, while vital to individual wellbeing and social interactions, lack the same structural importance and enduring purpose that defines social institutions. They encompass a wide range of recreational pursuits and do not serve the essential, organized functions that the other options do within society.