BR: Think back about Allison Levy (the writer in your HO from last class); what group was she part of? How did it change from a secondary to a primary group? Are you part of any secondary or primary groups? Explain!

Ch. 6: Groups & Organizations; Part II Sociology Ch. 6: Groups & Organizations; Part II

Non-Groups What about some things that look like a group, but really aren’t? Examples of non-groups: People gather to protest an issue at a rally. That is a one-time event, and most don’t associate otherwise. A group of people in line at McDonalds; this is an aggregate, or a crowd. People that share a unique characteristic, like people born from 1980-2000 are often called Millennials; they are actually a category. Now, certainly these types of gatherings could become groups. For instance, a normally distant neighborhood (usually often just an aggregate) after a disaster, and thus working together to help each other, could come together, having regular meetings, like Neighborhood Watch, Block Parties, etc., and thus become a group. Or, there can be groups within a category.

Types of Groups So now that we’ve defined what a group actually is, we should try to nail down different types of groups. There are two main, broad types: Primary and Secondary Groups. Our friend, sociologist Charles Cooley, identified both of these. 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 long-term emotional ways. This group serves emotional needs, or expressive functions rather than pragmatic ones. The primary group is usually made up of significant others, those individuals who have the most impact on our socialization. Examples of members of such groups? The best example of a primary group is the family.

Secondary Groups Secondary groups are often larger and impersonal. They may also be task-focused and time-limited. These groups serve an instrumental function rather than an expressive one, meaning that their role is more goal- or task-oriented than emotional. A classroom or office can be an example of a secondary group. However, it is important to remember that neither primary nor secondary groups are bound by strict definitions or set limits. In fact, people can move from one group to another. Examples of secondary groups? Students at the same table in a class, for example, can start as a secondary group focused on the task at hand, but as the students work together throughout the class, they may find common interests and strong ties that transform them into a primary group. HO on Primary vs. Secondary Groups:

In vs. Out Groups: One of the most powerful ways that groups can wield influence is thru inclusion and exclusion. What do those words mean? Sociologist William Sumner analyzed the effects or in-groups and out- groups. As you might have guessed, in-groups are the groups that an individual is part of, and they are often seen as an important part of their identity. Meanwhile, out-groups are groups that the individual does not feel part of. Secondary and Primary groups can be both in or out-groups. Groups are often neutral, or even positive, but they can also be negative. The KKK for example, is a group that promotes whites over all other races, and deems others as inferior. By defining others as “not like us”, otherwise good groups can end up practicing discrimination on others, based on culture, race, sex, age, or sexuality. HO

Reference Group Reference Groups are groups that people compare themselves with. These groups provide a standard of measurement. Most people compare themselves with others, and try to find where they fit in. Examples of reference groups: Culture Workplace School Family gatherings, etc. Popular culture, as referenced on TV, etc., is another. And many times, these groups send different messages about what is acceptable, or not. Thus, it is important that we recognize our reference groups, and help us understand ourselves better.