2.2.1 - TYPES OF GROUPS
Enroll to start learning
You’ve not yet enrolled in this course. Please enroll for free to listen to audio lessons, classroom podcasts and take practice test.
Interactive Audio Lesson
Listen to a student-teacher conversation explaining the topic in a relatable way.
Introduction to Social Groups
🔒 Unlock Audio Lesson
Sign up and enroll to listen to this audio lesson
Today we’ll explore the important concept of social groups. What do we think a social group is?
Isn’t it just a collection of people together in one place?
That's a good start, but a social group implies a connection and interaction among its members. People must share common interests, norms, or values. Can anyone give me an example of a social group?
A family?
Exactly! Families are a prime example of a primary group, where interactions are intimate and personal. Let’s remember this with the acronym 'FAMILY' which stands for: 'Friends And Members Interacting Lovingly Yearly'.
What about larger groups, like schools?
Great question! That's where secondary groups come in, which are larger and more formal. They serve specific societal functions.
Like how we have different roles at school compared to home?
Exactly! This brings us to the next point about how roles differ in these social settings. Remember, primary groups are intimate, while secondary groups are goal-oriented. Let’s pause here and summarize: Primary groups involve close interactions, while secondary groups are more formal and serve specific functions.
In-groups and Out-groups
🔒 Unlock Audio Lesson
Sign up and enroll to listen to this audio lesson
Now let's delve into in-groups and out-groups. What do you think an in-group is?
Is it like a club or team where you feel you belong?
Exactly! In-groups create a sense of belonging. In contrast, what about an out-group?
I think that's when people feel excluded or looked down upon.
Correct! It’s essential to acknowledge how out-groups can face discrimination or hostility. In a school setting, how might this manifest?
Maybe new students feel like out-groups until they make friends?
Exactly! We must remember that social dynamics can change. Today’s out-group might become tomorrow’s in-group as relationships evolve. To keep this clear, think of the rhyme: 'In the group, we fit right; out of the group, we lose sight.'
So it shows how important community is for acceptance?
Precisely! Communities foster belonging. Always keep in mind: in-groups foster identity, out-groups show contrast.
Community vs. Society
🔒 Unlock Audio Lesson
Sign up and enroll to listen to this audio lesson
Let’s discuss community versus society. How might you define community?
A community feels like close relationships and support.
Exactly! Communities are characterized by intimate and enduring relationships, whereas society is often more impersonal. Can someone think of examples of each?
A neighborhood could be a community, while a city feels like a society.
That’s a great distinction! To understand this better, let’s use the mnemonic 'CIS': Community is Intimate, Society is Superficial. Why do you think understanding this difference is important?
It helps us navigate our relationships better!
And recognize when we might need more community support.
Absolutely! Always remember, communities provide substance, while societies set the stage for interaction. Let's summarize: Communities imply close relationships, societies depict broader connections.
Introduction & Overview
Read summaries of the section's main ideas at different levels of detail.
Quick Overview
Standard
The section categorizes social groups into various types, particularly contrasting primary and secondary groups, as well as community versus society. It also touches on in-groups, out-groups, and key implications of these group types on social dynamics.
Detailed
Detailed Summary
In the exploration of social groups, this section delves into the typology established by sociologists and social anthropologists. Groups are categorized primarily into primary and secondary groups. Primary groups, such as family and close friends, feature intimate, face-to-face interactions and a sense of belonging. Secondary groups, including schools and professional associations, are larger and maintain more formal, impersonal relationships focused on specific goals.
The concept of community contrasts with society or association. Communities are defined by personal, enduring relationships, while societies reflect more superficial and transactional interactions characteristic of modern life.
Additionally, this section discusses in-groups and out-groups, where in-groups denote a sense of belonging and identity, while out-groups may face exclusion and hostility. The importance of reference groups is also mentioned, noting their role in shaping individual aspirations and behaviors. Understanding these distinctions in group types allows for a deeper comprehension of social dynamics and individual positioning within society.
Youtube Videos
Key Concepts
-
In-group: A group an individual identifies with and feels a sense of belonging.
-
Out-group: A group an individual does not identify with, often leading to hostility.
-
Primary Group: A small, intimate social group influencing personal relationships.
-
Secondary Group: A larger, more impersonal group focused on specific goals and tasks.
-
Community: Characterized by close interactions and relationships among members.
-
Society: More superficial, impersonal relationships indicative of larger social organization.
Examples & Applications
Family is a primary group characterized by close relationships.
A school serves as a secondary group where formal interactions take place.
Friend circles can often be in-groups, providing a sense of belonging.
New students may feel like out-group members until they integrate.
Communities, like a neighborhood, provide intimate relationships compared to the broader city as a society.
Memory Aids
Interactive tools to help you remember key concepts
Rhymes
In the group, we fit right; out of the group, we lose sight.
Stories
Imagine a village where families gather every evening. They talk, share, and support each other. This is community. Now think of a big city where people work and rush without knowing their neighbors. That's society.
Memory Tools
Use 'CIS' to remember: Community is Intimate, Society is Superficial.
Acronyms
FAMILY
Friends And Members Interacting Lovingly Yearly.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Ingroup
A social group with which an individual identifies and feels a sense of belonging.
- Outgroup
A social group with which an individual does not identify; often characterized by hostility from the in-group.
- Primary Group
A small social group characterized by intimate, face-to-face relationships that influence its members.
- Secondary Group
A larger group characterized by formal, impersonal relationships and focused on specific goals.
- Community
A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common, characterized by close interpersonal relationships.
- Society
A structured community of people bound together by similar traditions, institutions, or culture.
- Reference Group
Any group that individuals use as a standard for evaluating themselves.
Reference links
Supplementary resources to enhance your learning experience.