Association System. The network of social groupings that people form, whether in person or electronically. These may range from fraternal and secret societies to professional/trade associations. Some cultures are very group-oriented and create formal and informal associations for every conceivable type of activity (e.g., the culture in the United States). In some countries, families organize into clans, finding it difficult to work together for the common national good, as in Afghanistan and Iraq. Other societies are individualistic and avoid such organizing, such as in France.