Chapter 6: Life in Groups Primary Groups & Secondary Groups

What is a Group? A group is composed of people who share several features, including the following In regular contact Share some ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving Take one another’s behavior into account Have one or more interests or goals in common

What’s not a Group? Social Aggregate, a collection of people who share a physical location but do not have lasting social relations. A social category is people who share a common attribute but do not think of themselves as having something in common (ex: left-handed people).

Back to what a group is… Groups in which we are closely associated with the other members, know each other well, and seek each other’s company are called primary groups. Primary relationships are more personal, caring, and fulfilling.

Primary Group Development Small Size Face-To-Face Contact Continuous Contact Proper Social Environment

Primary Group Functions Emotional Support Socialization Encourage Conformity

Groups (cont.) Larger, less personal groups are known as secondary groups. They are people who share only one part of their lives while focusing on a goal or task.

What are your groups? Write two paragraphs describing two of your primary groups and why they are primary. Write two paragraphs describing two of your secondary groups and why they are secondary.

Chapter 6: Life in Groups Other Groups & Networks

Reference Groups Group used for self-evaluation and the formation of attitudes, values, beliefs, and norms

In-Groups Exclusive group demanding intense loyalty Have a way of telling who is in an who is out (boundaries) “We”

Out-Groups Groups targeted by an in-group for opposition, antagonism, or competition Do not meet the in-groups requirements (outside boundaries) “They”

Social Networks A social network is the web of direct and indirect ties connecting an individual to other people who influence her behavior. You and your family, your friends, peers, colleagues, teachers, and co-workers constitute your social network.

Sociograms

Social Networks (Cont.) Research on social networks has shown that indirect ties can be as important as direct ties– so it’s not just who you know, but who they know as well.

Separate From Groups: Anomie Social groups provide the values, norms, and rules that guide people’s lives. Sociologists such as Emile Durkheim and Robert Putnam have worried that the modern world has led to people being increasingly disconnected from their groups and leading to feelings of anomie, or normlessness.

What’s wrong with Bowling alone? Although the overall number of bowlers has increased, the number of people bowling in groups has dropped. Are we seeing a decline in social engagement?

Separate from Groups: Anomie (Cont.) Or are these worries overstated, and that new technologies like the Internet allow us to connect with others in new ways? Facebook, twitter, email, SMS We are more connected yet more isolated than ever before.

Create your own sociogram. Draw your own sociogram on A-3 or A-4 paper. Include at least 10 first-level relationships (name/relationship). Use arrows and labels to show their relationships. Include at least 5 indirect ties and label them. For each relationship/group, use materials or pictures to describe how they influence you. Use color. Be creative.

Group Dynamics & Types Of Social Interaction

Group Dynamics Group dynamics are the patterns of interaction between groups and individuals and include things such as the ways groups form and fall apart, and the ways they influence their members. We are all influenced by others.

Group Dynamics (Cont.) A dyad is the smallest possible social group. Two members Unstable because of the small size – if one person leaves the group no longer exists.

Group Dynamics (Cont.) A triad is a three-person social group. More stable, Less Intimate Conflicts between two members can be mediated by the third.

Group Dynamics (Cont.) * Each line represents a relationship.

Group Dynamics (Cont.) Group cohesion is the sense of solidarity or loyalty that individuals feel toward a group to which they belong. A group is more cohesive when the individual members feel strongly tied to the group.

Social Influence Social influence is the influence of one’s fellow group members on individual attitudes and behaviors. We conform to group norms because we want to gain acceptance and approval (positive sanctions) and avoid rejection and disapproval (negative sanctions).

Types Of Social Interaction Cooperation Conflict Social Exchange Coercion Conformity

Cooperation Interaction which individuals or groups combine their efforts to reach a goal

Individual Brainstorming What changes would occur if, from now on, all people were born with an extra thumb on each hand?

Cooperative Brainstorming What would you do if you had one million small, fuzzy wires?

Conflict Interaction aimed at defeating an opponent Cooperation within opposing groups?

Social Exchange A voluntary action performed in the expectation of getting a reward in return Based on reciprocity “What’s in it for me?” Homework: Random Act Of Kindness

Coercion Interaction in which individuals or groups are forced to behave in a particular way Conflict Theory

Conformity Behavior that matches group expectations Groupthink-self-deceptive thinking that is based on conformity to group beliefs, and created by group pressure to conform

Groupthink

Soloman Asch Experiments Which line is the same length as the line on the left? A, B, C?

Formal Organizations

Formal Organization A group deliberately created to achieve one or more long-term goals

Rationalization The mind-set emphasizing knowledge, reason, and planning

Bureaucracy A bureaucracy is a type of formal organization based on rationality and efficiency. Most rational and dehumanized form of human group Seem heartless and undemocratic Extremely efficient Responsible for many basic needs

Major Characteristics Of Bureaucracies Division Of Labor/Job Specialization Hierarchy Of Authority (Power/Authority) System Of Rules Written Records Promotion Based On Qualifications

Power The ability to control the behavior of others

Authority The legitimate or socially approved use of power

Qualities of Leadership: Authority Max Weber identified three types of authority found in social organizations. Traditional authority is authority based in custom, birthright, or divine right, and usually associated with monarchies and dynasties.

Qualities of Leadership: Authority (Cont.) Legal-rational authority is authority based in laws, rules, and procedures, not in the lineage of any individual leader. Charismatic authority is based in the perception of remarkable personal qualities in a leader.

The McDonaldization Of Society George Ritzer McDonaldization- describes the spread of bureaucratic rationalization and the accompanying increases in efficiency and dehumanization

The McDonaldization of Society The principles of the fast food industry… Predictability Calculability Efficiency Control through non-human technology

Informal Organization Groups within a formal organization in which personal relationships are guided by norms, rituals, and sentiments not a part of the formal organization

Iron Law Of Oligarchy Theory that power increasingly becomes concentrated in the hands of a few members of any organization

In-Class Assignment Page 197 (1-17)