Types And Functions Of Groups.pdf

TYPES AND FUNCTIONS OF GROUPS

social groups and institutions

By the end of this section, you will be able to: Understand primary and secondary groups as the two sociological groups Recognize in-groups and out-groups as subtypes of primary and secondary groups Define reference groups

What is a group ? Sherif and Sherif (1969) A group is a social unit which consists of a number of individuals who stand in role and status relationship to one another stabilized in some degree at the time and who possess a set of value or norms of their own regulating their behaviour at least in matter of consequence to the group.

What is a group ? Newcomb A group consists of two or more persons who share norms about certain things with one another and whose social roles are clearly interlocking.

characteristics of a group

(1) A group consists of more than one person.

characteristics of a group

(2) They meet together to satisfy some common motive or common purpose

characteristics of a group

(3)The group may disintegrate when the common motive is satisfied.

What is a social group?

A social group is two or more humans who interact with one another, share similar characteristics, and have a collective sense of unity.

What is a social group?

According to Muzafer Sherif, it is a social unit consisting of a number of individuals interacting with each other with respect to:

What is a social group?

1. common motives and goals; 2. an accepted division of labor; 3. established status relationships;

What is a social group?

4. accepted norms and values with reference to matters relevant to the group; and 5. the development of accepted sanctions, such as raise and punishment, when norms were respected or violated.

types of groups

1. PRIMARY GROUPS According to Cooley, primary groups play the most critical role in our lives. The primary group is usually fairly small and is made up of individuals who generally engage face-to-face in longterm emotional ways.

Primary groups The term 'primary' is used with these groups because they are the primary source of relationships and socialization. The relationships in our primary groups give us love, security, and companionship.

Primary groups This group serves emotional needs: expressive functions rather than pragmatic ones.

Primary groups FUNCTIONS exchanges implicit items, such as love, caring, concern, support, etc.

Primary groups

FUNCTIONS

psychologically comforting to the individuals involved and provide a source of support and encouragement

types of groups

2. SECONDARY GROUPS

Secondary groups are large groups whose relationships are impersonal and goal oriented. Cooley termed them “secondary” because they generally develop later in life and are much less likely to be influential on one’s identity than primary groups.

sECONDARY groups Secondary groups are often larger and impersonal. They may also be task-focused and time-limited.

sECONDARY groups

Some secondary groups may last for many years, though most are short term. Such groups also begin and end with very little significance in the lives of the people involved.

SECONDARY groups

These groups serve an instrumental function rather than an expressive

one, meaning that their role is more goal- or task-oriented than emotional.

SECONDARY groups

FUNCTIONS

exchanges explicit commodities, such as labor for wages, services for payments, etc.

iN-GROUPS AND OUT-GROUPS

In-groups are social groups to which an individual feels he or she belongs, while an individual doesn’t identify with the outgroup (Sumner 1906).

iN-GROUPS AND OUT-GROUPS

People tend to hold positive attitudes towards members of their own groups, a phenomenon known as in-group bias. The term originates from social identity theory which grew out of the work of social psychologists Henri Tajfel and John Turner.

iN-GROUPS AND OUT-GROUPS

In-group favoritism refers to a preference and affinity for one’s in-group over the outgroup or anyone viewed as outside the in-group.

iN-GROUPS AND OUT-GROUPS

Intergroup aggression is any behavior intended to harm another person because he or she is a member of an out group.

types of groups

3. REFERENCE GROUPS

A reference group refers to a group to which an individual or another group is compared. Sociologists call any group that individuals use as a standard for evaluating themselves and their own behavior a reference group.

REFERENCE groups

Reference groups become the individual’s frame of reference and source for ordering his or her experiences, perceptions, cognition, and ideas of self. These groups become the basis of reference in making comparisons or contrasts and in evaluating one’s appearance and performance.

TYPES AND FUNCTIONS OF GROUPS social groups and institutions Maikee G. Singayan MAT-English