1. Where do you fit in society?
Groups Within Society
Where do you fit in society?

2. GROUPS WITHIN SOCIETY
A SOCIETY IS NOT ONLY A GROUP…IT IS A GROUP MADE UP OF OTHER SMALLER GROUPS
EVERY PERSON IN SOCIETY PARTICIPATES IN GROUPS
GROUPS CAN BE SMALL
SMALL GROUP – TWO PEOPLE ON A DATE
GROUPS CAN BE LARGE
LARGE GROUP – 500 SOLDIERS AT BOOT CAMP

3. WHAT IS A GROUP? A GROUP HAS FOUR MAJOR FEATURES:
MUST CONSIST OF TWO OR MORE PEOPLE
MUST BE INTERACTION BETWEEN MEMBERS
MEMBERS MUST HAVE SHARED EXPECTATIONS
MEMBER MUST POSSESS SOME SENSE OF COMMON IDENTITY

4. WHAT IS A GROUP?
INTERACTION, SHARED EXPECTATIONS, AND A COMMON IDENTITY DISTINGUISH A GROUP FROM AN AGGREGATE OR A SOCIAL CATEGORY
AGGREGATE – WHEN PEOPLE GATHER IN THE SAME PLACE AT THE SAME TIME, BUT LACK ORGANIZATION OR PATTERNS OF INTERACTION
EXAMPLES OF AGGREGATES:
PASSENGERS ON A PLANE
PEOPLE WAITING IN LINE FOR TICKETS

5. WHAT IS A GROUP
SOCIAL CATEGORY – A WAY OF CLASSIFYING PEOPLE ACCORDING TO A SHARED TRAIT OR STATUS
EXAMPLES OF SOCIAL CATEGORIES:
STUDENTS
WOMEN
TEENAGERS
LEFT-HANDED PEOPLE

6. SIZES OF SOCIAL GROUPS DYAD – THE SMALLEST GROUP POSSIBLE
A DYAD IS A GROUP WITH ONLY TWO MEMBERS
IF ONE MEMBER LEAVES, THE GROUP ENDS
DECISION MAKING IN A DYAD CAN BE DIFFICULT
IF THE MEMBERS DON’T AGREE, THE GROUP ENDS

7. SIZES OF SOCIAL GROUPS
SOCIOLOGISTS BELIEVE A MAJOR CHANGE OCCURS IN GROUPS WHEN GROUP SIZES INCREASE FROM TWO MEMBERS TO THREE MEMBERS
TRIAD – A THREE PERSON GROUP
NO ONE PERSON CAN DISBAND THE GROUP
DECISION MAKING CAN BE EASIER THAN IN A DYAD
TWO-AGAINST-ONE ALLIANCES CAN FORM

8. SIZES OF SOCIAL GROUPS HOW LARGE CAN A SMALL GROUP BE?
SMALL GROUP – A GROUP WITH FEW ENOUGH MEMBERS THAT EVERYONE IS ABLE TO INTERACT ON A FACE-TO-FACE BASIS
SOCIOLOGISTS HAVE FOUND THAT 15 IS THE LARGEST NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT CAN WORK WELL IN ONE GROUP
WHEN A GROUP IS LARGER THAN 15, MEMBERS WILL TEND TO SORT THEMSELVES INTO SMALLER GROUPS

9. ORGANIZATION OF GROUPS
THE ORGANIZATION OF GROUPS CAN BE EITHER FORMAL OR INFORMAL
FORMAL GROUP – THE STRUCTURE, GOALS, AND ACTIVITIES OF THE GROUP ARE CLEARLY DEFINED
EXAMPLES OF FORMAL GROUPS:
STUDENT BODY OFFICERS
CHURCHES
SPORTS TEAMS
WORKPLACES

10. ORGANIZATION OF GROUPS
INFORMAL GROUP – THERE IS NO OFFICIAL STRUCTURE OR ESTABLISHED RULES OF CONDUCT
EXAMPLES OF INFORMAL GROUPS:
GROUP OF FRIENDS
HOBBY GROUPS
COMPUTER GROUPS

11. Types of Groups We are all members of different types of groups
The most common types of groups:
Primary Groups
Secondary Groups
Reference Groups
In-Groups
Out Groups

12. Primary Group
“One of the easiest ways to classify groups is according to the degree of intimacy that occurs among group members”
Primary Group – Small group of people who interact over a relatively long period of time on a direct and personal basis
Relationships are intimate & face – to – face
Communication is deep
Structure is informal
Family relationships are the most common primary groups

13. Secondary Group
Secondary Group – A group in which interaction is impersonal and temporary
Casual and limited in personal involvement
Person’s importance in the group = how well he/she performs in the group
An individual can be replaced easily by anyone who can carry out the specific tasks needed to achieve the group’s goals
Secondary groups are organized around specific goals

14. Secondary Group Examples: Classrooms Factory Political Party
Your boss does not care about your personality, religion, or hobbies
Question – What do they care about?
Answer – How well you do your job!
Primary groups may form within the secondary group

15. Reference Group
Reference Group – Any group with whom individuals identify and whose attitudes and values they adopt
Examples of Reference Groups:
Friends
School Clubs, Sports, or Activities
People who have a particular occupation
Children often change their reference groups
How have your reference groups changed over time?
Reference groups can be both positive and negative

16. In – Groups & Out – Groups
All groups have boundaries – methods of distinguishing between members and nonmembers
In – Group – The group that a person belongs to and identifies with
Out – Group – Any group that the person does not belong to or identify with

17. In – Groups & Out – Groups
Most in – groups exhibit three characteristics:
Group members separate themselves from other groups through the use of symbols
Symbols = Badges, Clothing, Names, Slogans
Group members view themselves positively while viewing out – groups negatively
In – groups generally compete with out – groups
This competition can lead to conflict

18. E – Community
E-Community – People interacting regularly with one another on the internet
Interactions on the internet:
Fight or argue
Share gossip
Flirt
Have intellectual discussions
Play games
The only difference is that interaction is online