Introducing Groups A Semi-Beginner’s Guide

What is a Group? The answer to this question may seem rather obvious, since you are so familiar with groups in your life. Like most humans, most of the things you are involved in are done in groups. You live in a family group, you socialize with groups of friends, and you often learn or work in groups. In everyday conversation, you might talk about politics or sports as a group. So, what exactly is a group? The answer to this question may seem rather obvious, since you are so familiar with groups in your life. Like most humans, most of the things you are involved in are done in groups. You live in a family group, you socialize with groups of friends, and you often learn or work in groups. In everyday conversation, you might talk about politics or sports as a group. So, what exactly is a group?

Social Group When social scientists talk about groups, they usually mean social groups. A social group is two or more people who have these four characteristics: They interact regularly and influence each other They interact regularly and influence each other They believe they have something in common – a shared identity They believe they have something in common – a shared identity They have an informal or formal social structure with leaders and followers They have an informal or formal social structure with leaders and followers They have a group consensus on certain values, behaviour, and goals They have a group consensus on certain values, behaviour, and goals

What is an Aggregate? People who just happen to be together are not a social group. They are known as an aggregate – they only interact briefly People who just happen to be together are not a social group. They are known as an aggregate – they only interact briefly Homeless people would be an example of an aggregate Homeless people would be an example of an aggregate

What is a Primary Group? Small, emotionally close, interdependent groups whose members know one another well and value each other’s individual personality Small, emotionally close, interdependent groups whose members know one another well and value each other’s individual personality Real world examples? Real world examples?

What is a Secondary Group? Large more impersonal groups that have limited face to face interaction, limited information, dependence or interest in individual members Large more impersonal groups that have limited face to face interaction, limited information, dependence or interest in individual members Main focus is the group goals Main focus is the group goals Real world example? Real world example?

Pros and Cons of a Primary Group

Pros and Cons of a Secondary Group

Other Important Terms Roles Roles All individuals have roles in societyAll individuals have roles in society Certain expectations are associatedCertain expectations are associated Norms Norms Guidelines of behaviour for our different life rolesGuidelines of behaviour for our different life roles Varies from group to group (and role to role).Varies from group to group (and role to role). Mores Mores High value moral rules that are never brokenHigh value moral rules that are never broken Often, mores become lawsOften, mores become laws Folkways Folkways Everyday habits or traditional practicesEveryday habits or traditional practices Examples: manners and personal appearanceExamples: manners and personal appearance

Other Important Terms Sanctions Sanctions Punishments or rewards given to ensure that rules and guidelines are followed by a group or society.Punishments or rewards given to ensure that rules and guidelines are followed by a group or society. Can be informal (smile or frown)Can be informal (smile or frown) Can be formal, like public rewards or punishments (scholarships or jail timeCan be formal, like public rewards or punishments (scholarships or jail time

Now That Someone’s Gone

Now that the experiment is over, complete the following as a two-page, double spaced journal: Now that the experiment is over, complete the following as a two-page, double spaced journal: Describe the subject’s response to the situation when he or she returned to classDescribe the subject’s response to the situation when he or she returned to class Offer a description as to why the subject responded the way he or she didOffer a description as to why the subject responded the way he or she did Were you surprised by this response? Explain your answerWere you surprised by this response? Explain your answer Do you think that the subject’s response was typical? Explain your answerDo you think that the subject’s response was typical? Explain your answer Offer any additional thoughts that you may haveOffer any additional thoughts that you may have Note that journals must be submitted to turnitin.com by the assigned due date Note that journals must be submitted to turnitin.com by the assigned due date

Now That Someone’s Gone Journal Marking Scheme: Presence of Valid Points: Journal/5 Presence of Valid Points: Journal/5 Are all your facts correct?Are all your facts correct? Do they fit within the journal topic?Do they fit within the journal topic? Are their enough facts to meet the required journal length?Are their enough facts to meet the required journal length? Coherence:Journal/3 Coherence:Journal/3 Does your writing style enhance or confuse your ideas?Does your writing style enhance or confuse your ideas? Is your journal mechanically sound?Is your journal mechanically sound? Opinion:Journal/2 Opinion:Journal/2 Is your point of view clear?Is your point of view clear? Is your point of view well connected to the facts you have given?Is your point of view well connected to the facts you have given? Total Mark:Journal/10 Total Mark:Journal/10