Ch. 4 section 4: GROUPS WITHIN SOCIETY

  Defined : a set of people who interact on the bases of shared expectations and who possess some degree of common identity.  Groups have 4 major features:  MUST CONSIST OF 2 OR MORE PEOPLE;  MEMBERS MUST INTERACT  MEMBERS MUST SHARE EXPECTATIONS;  COMMON SENSE OF IDENTITY AMONG MEMBERS What is a GROUP?

  AGGREGATE: occurs when people gather at the same place at the same time without formal organization or a lasting pattern of organization.(EX: Standing in line at the movies)  SOCIAL CATEGORY: people who share traits or common statuses. (EX: women, men, teens, students, etc.)  * How do these differ from a group? Distinguish: GROUPS/AGGREGATES/SOCIAL CATEGORIES

  SIZE: group size varies from smallest possible ( dyad = 2) to enormous. The size of the group impacts the amt. of control group members have. In dyads, if one member leaves the group ends. In triads (3) the group is tougher to disband & decisions may be easier b/c there is a majority rules situation. When small groups exceed 45 in number, members tend to sort themselves into subsets within.  TIME: some groups you may participate in once then never again; others you may be a lifelong member of; others may vary in terms of time spent with the group. 3 major ways to differentiate groups:

  ORGANIZATION :  Formal – has clearly defined structure, goals and activities. Examples?  Informal – there is no official structure or established rules of conduct. Examples? 3 major ways to differentiate groups :

  PRIMARY: small group of people who interact over a relatively long period of time on a direct and personal basis. Relationships w/in the group are intimate & often face-to-face; communication is deep/intense; structure is informal. EX: Families.  SECONDARY: interaction is impersonal & temporary in nature. Relationships w/in the group tend to be casual & ltd. In personal involvement. Individuals w/in group are often interchangeable/easily replaced. Secondary groups tend to be organized around specific goals. EX:? TYPES OF GROUPS

  Reference groups: any group with whom individuals identify & whose attitudes & values you adopt (EX: friends, school clubs).  In Groups/Out Groups: the group you ID with; These groups have 3 characteristics…use symbols to separate themselves from others; see themselves positively & out-groups negatively; there is competition with out-groups that may even turn to conflict.  E-communities: people interact with one another regularly on the internet.  Social Networks: the many different groups you belong to form the basis of your social network. These relationships may be direct and indirect. Social networks are NOT groups…but may still serve as important parts of people’s lives. TYPES OF SECONDARY GROUPS

  Different types of LEADERS (people who influence the attitudes & opinions of others) include…  INSTRUMENTAL LEADERS – task oriented people who help the group to achieve its goals; and  ESPRESSIVE LEADERS – emotion oriented people who find ways to keep the group together and maintain morale.  Group leaders help the group to set goals, assign tasks & make decisions. Within groups there should be conformity to norms so the group can function productively. GROUP FUNCTIONS

  The sum total of all your combined interactions forms your own personal Social Network. Today we tend to define e-communities as “social networks’ but within Sociology, the meaning of social network is quite different. Don’t confuse the two…  So this is NOT a social network by the Sociology class definition… movie clipmovie clip  This is a better example of the definition of Social Network in terms of Sociology…  HOW WOULD YOU RATE YOUR OVERALL SOCIAL NETWORK?? Final word on Social Networks …