Learning Target: Explain the major characteristics of a group Chapter 6 Section 1

What is a Group? Composed of people who share several features, including: *The are in regular contact with one another *They share some ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving *They take one another’s behaviors into account *They have one or more interests or goals in common

Definition of a social group A Social Group is formed when 2 or more people are in the same physical location and aware of one another’s presence.

Social Category Vs. Social Aggregate Social Category-people who share a social characteristics EX: High School Seniors Social Aggregate-People temporarily in the same place at the same time EX: People at a movie theater These people may end up forming groups: For example, you may end up in the food court after the movie sitting by people who watched the movie as well. After overhearing their conversation you interject your opinion, you all start talking, and then you realize you have an interest in another movie……..

What is a Primary Group? People who are emotionally close, know one another well. And seek one another’s company, feeling of we, enjoy being together, relationships that are intimate, personal,caring and fulfilling

Primary Relationship Interactions that are intimate, personal, caring and fulfilling

List of Primary Groups and Web Make a list of your primary groups and make a web of people that would be a member of the group How do primary groups develop: 1. Take others behavior into account 2. Face-to-Face contact, regular contact 3. Share ways of thinking,behaving, and feeling 4.

Functions of a Primary Group Emotional Support: Strong emotionally ties allow people to do things they would not normally do….EX: you are exhausted, but your friend begs you to quiz her one more time on the material for the quiz tomorrow. You do it because you are committed to your friendship. Socialization: Promote adult socialization EX: your friends in college are going to introduce you to things that are different than what you experienced in high school Encourage Conformity: Teach group members the appropriate norms and values, put pressure on groups to conform EX: Your friends may give you a hard time for doing something illegal, therefore you will not continue down this path.

What is a Secondary Group? People who share only part of their lives while focusing on a goal or task EX: People you work with, members of your Sociology class Secondary relationships: Impersonal interactions involving limited parts of personalities EX: relationship between a teacher and a student

Differences between Primary and Secondary Groups Group members differ in the ways they interact with one another as well. This determines whether a group is Primary or Secondary. These differ in the following ways.

Differences Emotional Intensity: Primary: Strong emotional attachment among members, love Secondary: Little emotion felt among members toward one another

Differences Scope Primary: An individual’s entire personality is important to the group. Secondary: Only a small piece of an individual’s personality is important to the group. Can they do the job assigned?

Differences Particularism/ Universalism Primary: Each individual is important to the group. The group is particular about who can be a member Secondary: Membership is open to all

Differences Interaction Primary: very informal. Members feel relaxed around one another Secondary: formal. Rules exist to explain how and when interaction takes place

Differences Aims Primary: goal is simply to enjoy one another’s company Secondary: the group meets for a specific reason. Members may have little in common beyond the reason for the group’s existence

Are these primary or secondary relationships? Army personal saluting President Clinton

Primary or Secondary? A married couple

Primary or Secondary? Coach and players

Primary and Secondary Groups Are there any overlaps within the primary and secondary groups? Why might there be?