1. Major features of primary and secondary groups
Groups Within Society
Chapter 4, Section 4
Major features of primary and secondary groups
Purposes of groups

2. 4 Major Features of a Group
Must consist of 2 or more people
Must be interaction among members
Members of the group must have shared expectations
Members must possess some sense of common identity

3. “Groups” that are NOT groups
Aggregate: people who gather in the same place at the same time but lack organization or lasting patterns of interaction. Ex: people on an airplane
Social category: a method of classifying people according to a shared trait or common status. Ex: teenagers

4. Groups come in all shapes and sizes
Dyad: smallest group possible- only 2 members
Triad: 3 members- group takes on a life of its own
Small group: all members can have face to face interaction. Sociologists have found that 15 is the largest # of people that can work well in one group.

5. Types of Groups
Primary group: small group of people who interact over a relatively long period of time on a direct and personal basis (Family relationships)
Secondary group: a group in which interaction is impersonal and temporary in nature. Often casual and limited in personal involvement, tend to be organized around specific goals (Classroom)

6. More Groups
Reference group: any group with whom individuals identify and whose attitudes and values they adopt (friends, family, team)
In-group: the group a person belongs to and identifies with
Out-group: any group that the person does not belong to or identify with

7. Networks and Leaders
Social network: direct and indirect relationships, no clear boundaries, provides a sense of community
FaceBook networks, “good ol’ boys” club
Two types of leaders: expressive and instrumental
Expressive: charismatic
Instrumental: organized, goal oriented