Transcript 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