Social Structure and Groups

Two or more people who identify and interact with each other Social Groups Two or more people who identify and interact with each other

Couples Families Friend circles Churches Clubs Business organizations Neighborhoods

Categories vs crowds Category Crowd Status in common May interact or could be complete strangers Loosely formed collection of people in one space Interact is limited if at all

Primary Groups Small social group in which members share personal and lasting relationships Spend a lot of time together “Belong together” First experiences with a group (siblings) Personal orientation Examples: Families

Secondary groups Large and impersonal group whose members pursue a specific goal or activity. Weak emotional ties Little personal knowledge of each other Short term (use is over when the activity ends) Larger than a primary group Good Orientation Formal and polite Example: Co-workers, classmates

Instrumental Leadership Group leadership that focuses on a completion of a task Make plans Give orders Concentration: performance Secondary relationships Respect

Expressive Leadership Focus is on the group’s well-being Raise group morale Minimize tensions Building ties Primary relationships Affection

Fathers vs Mothers (“Old days”) Cultural norms labelled: Fathers – Instrumental Leaders Children would “respect” them Mother – Expressive Leaders Children had more personal relationships

Group Conformity “Fitting in” Peer Pressure

In-group vs Out-group In-group Out-group Social group toward which a member feels respect and loyalty Social group toward which a person feels a sense of competition or opposition.