Transcript I.) What exactly is a Group?

12th Grade Sociology
I.) What exactly is a Group?
Group: a collection of individuals who have regular contact and
frequent interaction, mutual influence, common feeling of
camaraderie, and who work together to achieve a common set
of goals.
“Goals, Accomplish Tasks, Something in Common”
A Group is defined by……..
Boundaries: features or characteristics which clearly define
members of a group and distinguish those who not
Examples:
Style of Dress
Social Class
Race/Ethnicity
II.) A “Group” is not
Social Category: people who share a social characteristic
Social Aggregate: people who are temporarily in the same
place at the same time
III.) A “Group” is
Primary Group: people who know each other well, are
emotionally close, and seek one another's company
* Based on Primary Relationships (intimate, caring, personal, fulfilling)
How to develop?
• small in size
• face to face contact
• continual contact
• social environment
Examples:
Best Friends
Close Neighbors
Play Groups
Function?
• emotional support
• socialization
• conformity
Secondary Group: people who share only part of their lives
and are together to accomplish a task or goal
* Based on Secondary Relationships (impersonal, limited emotion)
Examples:
Clerks & Customers
Work Groups
Volunteers
How to develop?
• social environment
• segment of person’s life
Function?
• to accomplish a goal
• to complete a task
Reference Group: a group used for self-evaluation by
which one forms attitudes, beliefs, norms.
In Groups
Exclusive group
that demands
intense loyalty
Out Groups
Opposed by ingroup for
competition and
opposition
Examples:
Cliques, Teams, Countries, Races, Gangs, Neighborhoods
IV.) Networks
Social Network: all of a person’s social relationships
• Not a “group” itself
• Includes both “primary” & “secondary” groups
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Four things that happen through social networks:
1. Diffusion: networks spread ideas and influence
- example: rumors
2. Exchanges: nobody is self-sufficent; networks
allow people to exchange with others to obtain
things they need and want
- example: resources
3. Social Support: networks can provide assistance
and information in times of need
- example: moving to a new town
4. Exclusion: becoming connected to a network can
open doors, whereas exclusion can bring about
inequalities
- example: country clubs/social clubs
Now Apply It To Yourself:
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