Groups Within Society

Where do you fit in society?

GROUPS WITHIN SOCIETY

A SOCIETY IS NOT ONLY A GROUP…IT IS A GROUP MADE UP OF OTHER SMALLER GROUPS

EVERY PERSON IN SOCIETY PARTICIPATES IN GROUPS

GROUPS CAN BE SMALL

SMALL GROUP – TWO PEOPLE ON A DATE

GROUPS CAN BE LARGE

LARGE GROUP – 500 SOLDIERS AT BOOT CAMP

WHAT IS A GROUP?

A GROUP HAS FOUR MAJOR FEATURES:

MUST CONSIST OF TWO OR MORE PEOPLE

MUST BE INTERACTION BETWEEN MEMBERS

MEMBERS MUST HAVE SHARED EXPECTATIONS

MEMBER MUST POSSESS SOME SENSE OF COMMON IDENTITY

WHAT IS A GROUP?

INTERACTION, SHARED EXPECTATIONS, AND A COMMON IDENTITY DISTINGUISH A GROUP FROM AN AGGREGATE OR A SOCIAL CATEGORY

AGGREGATE – WHEN PEOPLE GATHER IN THE SAME PLACE AT THE SAME TIME, BUT LACK ORGANIZATION OR PATTERNS OF INTERACTION

EXAMPLES OF AGGREGATES:

PASSENGERS ON A PLANE

PEOPLE WAITING IN LINE FOR TICKETS

WHAT IS A GROUPSOCIAL CATEGORY – A WAY OF CLASSIFYING PEOPLE ACCORDING TO A SHARED TRAIT OR STATUS

EXAMPLES OF SOCIAL CATEGORIES:

STUDENTS

WOMEN

TEENAGERS

LEFT-HANDED PEOPLE

SIZES OF SOCIAL GROUPS

DYAD – THE SMALLEST GROUP POSSIBLE

A DYAD IS A GROUP WITH ONLY TWO MEMBERS

IF ONE MEMBER LEAVES, THE GROUP ENDS

DECISION MAKING IN A DYAD CAN BE DIFFICULT

IF THE MEMBERS DON’T AGREE, THE GROUP ENDS

SIZES OF SOCIAL GROUPS

SOCIOLOGISTS BELIEVE A MAJOR CHANGE OCCURS IN GROUPS WHEN GROUP SIZES INCREASE FROM TWO MEMBERS TO THREE MEMBERS

TRIAD – A THREE PERSON GROUP

NO ONE PERSON CAN DISBAND THE GROUP

DECISION MAKING CAN BE EASIER THAN IN A DYAD

TWO-AGAINST-ONE ALLIANCES CAN FORM

SIZES OF SOCIAL GROUPS

HOW LARGE CAN A SMALL GROUP BE?

SMALL GROUP – A GROUP WITH FEW ENOUGH MEMBERS THAT EVERYONE IS ABLE TO INTERACT ON A FACE-TO-FACE BASIS

SOCIOLOGISTS HAVE FOUND THAT 15 IS THE LARGEST NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT CAN WORK WELL IN ONE GROUP

WHEN A GROUP IS LARGER THAN 15, MEMBERS WILL TEND TO SORT THEMSELVES INTO SMALLER GROUPS

ORGANIZATION OF GROUPS

THE ORGANIZATION OF GROUPS CAN BE EITHER FORMAL OR INFORMAL

FORMAL GROUP – THE STRUCTURE, GOALS, AND ACTIVITIES OF THE GROUP ARE CLEARLY DEFINED

EXAMPLES OF FORMAL GROUPS:

STUDENT BODY OFFICERS

CHURCHES

SPORTS TEAMS

WORKPLACES

ORGANIZATION OF GROUPS

INFORMAL GROUP – THERE IS NO OFFICIAL STRUCTURE OR ESTABLISHED RULES OF CONDUCT

EXAMPLES OF INFORMAL GROUPS:

GROUP OF FRIENDS

HOBBY GROUPS

COMPUTER GROUPS

Types of GroupsWe are all members of different types of groups

The most common types of groups:

Primary Groups

Secondary Groups

Reference Groups

In-Groups

Out Groups

Primary Group“One of the easiest ways to classify groups is according to the degree of intimacy that occurs among group members”

Primary Group – Small group of people who interact over a relatively long period of time on a direct and personal basis

Relationships are intimate & face – to – face

Communication is deep

Structure is informal

Family relationships are the most common primary groups

Secondary GroupSecondary Group – A group in which interaction is impersonal and temporary

Casual and limited in personal involvement

Person’s importance in the group = how well he/she performs in the group

An individual can be replaced easily by anyone who can carry out the specific tasks needed to achieve the group’s goals

Secondary groups are organized around specific goals

Secondary GroupExamples:

Classrooms

Factory

Political Party

Your boss does not care about your personality, religion, or hobbies

Question – What do they care about?

Answer – How well you do your job!

Primary groups may form within the secondary group

Reference GroupReference Group – Any group with whom individuals identify and whose attitudes and values they adopt

Examples of Reference Groups:

Friends

School Clubs, Sports, or Activities

People who have a particular occupation

Children often change their reference groups

How have your reference groups changed over time?

Reference groups can be both positive and negative

In – Groups & Out – Groups

All groups have boundaries – methods of distinguishing between members and nonmembers

In – Group – The group that a person belongs to and identifies with

Out – Group – Any group that the person does not belong to or identify with

In – Groups & Out – Groups

Most in – groups exhibit three characteristics:

Group members separate themselves from other groups through the use of symbols

Symbols = Badges, Clothing, Names, Slogans

Group members view themselves positively while viewing out – groups negatively

In – groups generally compete with out – groups

This competition can lead to conflict

E – Community E-Community – People interacting regularly with one another on the internet

Interactions on the internet:

Fight or argue

Share gossip

Flirt

Have intellectual discussions

Play games

The only difference is that interaction is online