Q.
Types of Groups
GROUPS
1. INTRODUCTION:
In the social sciences a group can be defined as two or more humans who
interact with one another, accept expectation and obligations as members
of the group, and share a common identity. By this definition society can
be viewed as a large group, though most social groups are considerably
smaller.
Characteristics shared by members of a group may include interest,
values, representations, ethnic or social background, and kinship ties.
Paul Hare regards the defining characteristics of a group as social
interaction.
2. Definitions of social group:-
Merrill: "Two or more persons are in communication over a considerable
period of time and who act in accordance with common function or
purpose."
Ogburn & Nimkoff: "Whenever two or more individuals come together
and influence one another, they may be said to constitute a social group."
3. TYPES OF SOCIAL GROUPS
I. On the basis of closeness and nature of relationship
i. primary group
ii. secondary group
II. on the basis of identity/ characteristics
i. in-group
ii. out group
III. on the basis of rule and regulations
i. formal group
ii. informal group
IV. REFERENCE GROUP
V. ETHNIC GROUP
VI. CASTE
VII. PRESSURE-GROUP
VIII. VESTED INTEREST GROUP
IX. VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATION
X. ORGANIZATION
XI. FORMAL ORGANIZATION
I. On the basis of closeness and nature of relationship
i. PRIMARY GROUP:
Definition:
The primary group is primary in the sense that the members within the
group are emotionally attached together sharing their basic ways of life
with one another.
In the basic affairs of life which are most essential for a social life
those who fall into mutual sharing of one another form a group prime in
importance called primary group.
Emotions, attitude, ideas and habits of individuals develop within this
group.
Characteristics of Primary Group
i. Face-to-face interaction: Primary groups are characterized by close
intimate and
face to face interaction,
ii. Intimacy: In this group, every one knows every one else.They are
even known to nick names of their members.
iii. Mutual Aid & help: They cooperate with each other at the time of help.
iv. Consciousness of kind: It means they recognize one another and
express it whenever needed.
v. We Feeling: We feeling (sense of unity and commonality) is found
among the
members of the group. It means they live together as one body.
vi. Small in Size: Primary groups are smaller in size.
vii. Frequent interaction: Interaction among members of the group is
frequent and it can be many times in a day.
viii. Personal relation: They interact with each other on the basis of
personal relation.
ix. Similarity of background: Members of this group must have more or
less similar background.
Members of primary group
i. Family members like father mother, brother, sister, wife and children
are members of primary group.
ii. Neighborhood members are also in this group.
iii. Close relatives are also in this group.
iv. Close friends may fall in this category"
v. All such persons affecting personality of individual are his primary
group
vi. Any person to whom you cannot refuse is a member of your this group
2. SECONDARY GROUP
i. A secondary group is a large group of people who work together to
achieve a common goal. Secondary groups are often formal,
structured, and task-oriented.
ii. A secondary group is a relatively larger group composed of impersonal
and goal-oriented relationships, which are often temporary.
iii. These groups are often based on achieving a common purpose outside
of the relationship itself and involve much less emotional investment.
iv. Since secondary groups are established to perform functions, individual
roles are more interchangeable, thus members are able to leave
and out group are able to join with relative ease.
v. Such groups can be understood to be ones in which individuals
exchange explicit commodities (e.g. labour for wage, service for
payment, etc.).
vi. Examples include study groups, sports teams, schoolmates, attorney-
client, doctor-patient, coworkers, etc.
Functions of Secondary Groups:
i. To help in fulfilling various kinds of increasing human needs.
ii. To help in bringing social awareness and social change.
iii. To help in removing conservatism and superstition through education
and rational thinking.
iv. To increase social mobility.
v. To help in satisfying various special interests such as sports, dance,
music, touring etc.
Characteristics of secondary groups:
i. Spatial distance between members.
ii. Short duration.
iii. Large number.
iv. Lack of intimacy among members.
v. Formal relationships and partial involvement of personality.
vi. Casualness of contact.
vii. Impersonal and based on status.
viii. 8. Specific aims or interest of formation.
ix. Deliberately and consciously formed.
x. Feeling of individualism among members.
xi. Voluntary membership
II. on the basis of identity/ characteristics
IN-GROUP AND OUT-GROUP
i. During the processes of our daily life we divide people into “we” and
"they'
ii. The interest of the individual rests within those people with whom he is
closely affiliated and places his confidence in them.
iii. They may be members of his family, neighborhood, play group or
immediate of close relatives.
iv. The members of in group are tied in the bonds of 'we feel'. It is the
group to which the individual is member.
v. "Out-group' members are considered in relation to in-group. Those
not included in 'we' and fall in 'they' are the members of out-group.
vi. Out- group members are not members of individuals self.
vii. We (in-group) the Pakistanis,
viii. They (out-group) the Indians are the examples.
ix. It means a person member of a certain group falls in its in-group and a
person not member to a group falls in his out- group.
III. on the basis of rule and regulations
Formal and Informal Groups
Formal is that group
i. In which membership is defined.
ii. Those who fulfill the conditions can become member to that group.
iii. The entry into the group is made under written rule and the
membership can be cancelled on violation of its rules and regulations.
iv. The students in a class are a formal group.
v. The Union Council is formal group.
vi. The people enjoying a match on tickets are also formal group.
vii. United Nations Organization (U.N.O.), SAARC, Punjab Professors
and Lecturers Association (PPLA), Youth Club in a mohalla, are also
formal groups.
Informal, is that group
i. in which the membership is not defined.
ii. Any person can participate in such group and leave it when he likes.
iii. People in bazaars, fairs, listening radio, watching television, listening to
a speaker and enjoying the feats of an acrobat on the roadside are the
examples of informal groups.
iv. People gossipping in mohalla and children playing in street are all
informal groups.
IV. REFERENCE GROUP
Definition:-
Ogburn & Nimkoff: "Groups which serve as a point of comparison are
known as reference group"
Horton & Hunt: "A reference group is any group to which we refer when
making judgments, “ any group whose value- judgments become our
value – judgment
V. ETHNIC GROUP
It is the group which has its cultural traits different from the general culture
of the society.
These are smaller groups widespread at different places in society.
They are always in minority.
Such groups have strong social solidarity among their members due to
close and intense social interaction.
This group has its marriage customs, beliefs and rituals different from
other groups.
In Pakistani society, the people of tribal areas, dhe nomadic tribes, the
Hindus, the Christians, the Americans, the Iranians er ethnic groups.
VI. CASTE
i. Caste is a permanent group in which the status of an individual is fixed
through heredity alone.
ii. The members of a caste usually create Biradri' in Indo-Pakisrani societies.
iii. Caste is the ascribed status-received at birth.
iv. Caste is an element in determining social stratification in our society.
v. Different castes have different social positions in our society.
vi. The people of the same caste form Biradri for intermarriages.
vii. Therefore the binding force of Biradri creates social control among the
people. This system still prevalent Pakistani society.
VII. PRESSURE-GROUP
i. It is that group which lays pressure on government to change its policies
in its favour.
ii. It is the group of high class people, specially the rich and the diplomats
iii. This group enjoys high status in society.
iv. The members of this group also participate in running government and
administrations.
VIII. VESTED INTEREST GROUP
i. It is the group which has its own ends.
ii. Mostly the eco benefits are the major aims. This group for the sake of its
ams does interfere in government like the pressure group But it has its
own following the government. This group derives benefit from
government
IX. VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATION
i. According to Horton and Hunt, voluntary associations are a kind of
organization in which membership is voluntary
ii. These kinds of association are made for personal interest,
X. ORGANIZATION
i. It is also friendly group and formally organized.
ii. It is not multi- purpose but formed for specific aim hence called special
interest group
XI. FORMAL ORGANIZATION
These kinds of organizations are carefully planned and systematically
perform factions. This includes banks, universities, colleges, business
corporations, political organizations, army, trade unions etc.
