Strength in unity

OBJECTIVE

a. Explain and correctly use the following terms and concepts associated with social groups and institutions: primary, secondary, formal, informal, peer, interest, voluntary and involuntary membership, culture, institution, social control, folkways, norms, mores and laws;

b. Give examples of primary, secondary, formal and informal groups found in the Caribbean.

A social group may be defined as two or more individuals who interact with one another; these individuals share similar characteristics and collectively have a sense of unity.

Human beings do not enjoy living in isolation. We begin our life as a participating member of the group, i.e., the family. We are born, live, grow and die in a group. Groups have mutual interaction and reciprocity; the members of a social group have roles and similar goals. The members of a social group interact according to some established patterns. In the truest sense, a group refers to a collection of individuals who are brought into social relationship with one another and organise themselves for the fulfillment of common aims.

A social group has an organisational aspect, i.e., rules, regulations, rivals, structure, and a psychological aspect that is an awareness or consciousness of the members. Members of a social group are linked together in a system of social relationships with one another and they interact with each other according to the norms of the group. A social group is also dynamic in nature.

SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF SOCIAL GROUP

Individuals making up the group: Two or more individuals are necessary to form a group.

Mutual relations: There is shared relations among the members of a social group. The members must interact or interrelate with each other.

Joint goals: The aims, objectives and ideals of the members are common.

Unity and solidarity: Members of a social group are tied by a sense of unity and bond of solidarity. Common goals and mutual relations strengthen this bond of unity and solidarity. This creates a sense of loyalty and sympathy among the members of a social group.

In-group versus out-group: ‘We-feeling’ fosters cooperation among members. Because of this ‘we-feeling’, the members identify themselves with the group and consider others as outsiders.

Norms: A social group has its own regulations and norms which the members are supposed to follow. With the help of these rules and norms, the group exercises control over its members. These norms may be written or unwritten. The violation of group norms is followed by a sanction.

Group control: Social groups exercise some sort of control over their members.

Permanent or temporary: There are permanent groups, like the family, and temporary groups, like a crowd, mob, etc.

Dynamic: A social group is not static. It responds to different changes. The nature of change may be slow or rapid, but it will occur. Social groups may be categorised according to: Size Structure Membership Purpose Formalization

CATEGORISING GROUPS ACCORDING TO SIZE

Groups can be categorised according to the number of people present within the group.

PRIMARY GROUPS AND SECONDARY GROUPS

Primary group: This is a group held together by intimate, face-to-face relationships, formed by family and environmental associations and regarded as basic to social life and culture. In a primary group, members have an emotional bond to one another, such that the individual’s place in that group can never be filled by another person.

MEMBERS OF A PRIMARY GROUP MEET THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:

Meet frequently on a face-to-face basis. Have a sense of identity or belonging that lasts a long time.

Have emotional intimacy. Which group may be considered as the most important primary group? Why?

A secondary group is more formal and less personal. It is defined as a group of people among whom contact is detached and impersonal.

Members of a secondary group, therefore, meet the following criteria. They:

Do not meet frequently, or they meet only for short periods of time.

Share a sense of identity or belonging only until the group ends. Are task-oriented. Feel little emotional intimacy.

Secondary groups, in contrast to primary groups, are large groups involving formal and institutional relationships. Secondary relationships involve weak emotional ties and little personal knowledge of one another. Examples of secondary groups: police force, trade unions, a school and a church.

CATEGORISING GROUPS ACCORDING TO MEMBERSHIP

In-groups and out-groups.

IN-GROUP

An in-group is a group to which we belong and to which we feel loyalty. This group possesses some form of identity which tends to exclude others. This may include badges, mode

of dress or methods of communication. People may be judged as members of an in-group based on factors such as their religion, race, nationality, job category, and level of education. It is, therefore, a social group towards which a member feels respect and an individual identifies in himself/herself positive direction.

OUT-GROUP

An out-group is a group to which we do not belong and to which we feel no loyalty. It is a social group towards which a person feels a sense of competition or opposition.

INTEREST GROUPS

This is an informal group seeking to achieve a common goal related to membership in an organisation.

REFERENCE GROUPS

The group to which we compare ourselves for purposes of self-evaluation is called a reference group. We tend to look for others with whom to compare ourselves.

PEER GROUP

A peer group is a group with members of approximately the same age, social status, and interests. Generally, people are relatively equal in terms of power when they interact with peers.

A GROUP GIVES A SENSE OF:

Status and importance. Belonging and a sense of identity. Physical companionship. Emotional security. Avenue for leadership and decision-making. 1. State six characteristics of groups. 2. State five types of groups, giving an example for each group. 3. Why is it necessary to categorise groups? 4. Which group do you consider most essential in society? Give reasons for your choice.

5. Suggest three reasons why you would consider social groups as necessary. Explain your answer.