Groups Within Society

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 GROUP • SOCIAL 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 Groups • We 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 Group • Secondary 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 Group • Examples: • 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 Group • Reference 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

Groups Within Society