3. INTRODUCTION
Society consist of groups. A social group exists when
two or more people are in direct or indirect contact
and communication. The members of the group
stimulate and responds to one another in some
meaningful way. This mutual stimulation and
response of individuals and groups is social
interaction. Society is rooted in social interaction. It
represents the conditioned behavior of persons and
groups. Both society and culture are the products of
social interaction.
4. Cont…
The nature and character of social
relationships underline different forms of
social groups such as primary and secondary
groups, in-groups and out-groups, organized
and unorganized groups, formal and informal
groups or organizations and so on.
5. DEFINITION
“whenever two or more individuals
come together and influence one
another, they may be said to
constitute a social group”- Ogburn
and Nimcoff.
Bogardus defines social group as ä
number of persons, two or more,
who have common objects of
attention, who are stimulating to
each other, who have common
loyalty and participate in similar
activities’’.
6. CHARACTERITICS
1. Collection of individuals; social group consists of
people. Without individuals there can be no groups.
2. Interaction among members; social interaction is
the very basis of group life. Hence mere collection
of individuals does not make group. The members
must have interaction. A social group, is in fact a
system of social interaction. The limits of social
group marked by the limits of social interaction.
3. Mutual awareness; group life involves mutual
awareness. Group members are aware of one
another and their behaviour is determined by this
mutual recognition.
7. CONT…
4. We-feeling: it refers to the tendency on the
part of the members to identify themselves with
the groups. It represents group unity. We-feeling
creates sympathy in and fosters co-operation
among members.
5. Group Unity and Solidarity; group
members are tied by a sense of unity. The
solidarity or integration of a group is largely
dependent upon the frequency, the variety, and
the emotional quality of the interactions of its
members. Unity is maintained more often by
conscious effort.
8. 6. Common interests; the interests and
ideals of group are common. Groups are
mostly formed or established for the
fulfillment of certain interests. In fact, men
not only join groups but also from group for
the realization of their objectives or
interests.
7. Similar behaviour: the members of
group have behave in more or less similar
way for the pursuit of common interests.
Social groups represent collective
behaviour.
9. 8. Group norms: every group has its own rules or
norms which the members are supposed to follow.
These norms may be in the form of customs, folkways,
mores, traditions, laws etc. they may be written or
unwritten norms or standards. Every group has its own
ways and means of punishing or correcting those who
go against the rules.
9. Size of the group: every group involves an idea of
size. Social group vary in size. A group may be small as
that of dyad or as big as that of a political party having
lakhs of members. Size will have its own impact on the
character of the group.
10. 10. Groups are dynamic: social groups are not static
but dynamic. They are subject to changes whether slow
or rapid. Whether due to internal or external pressures or
forces, group undergo changes.
11. Stability: groups are stable or unstable; permanent
or temporary in character. Some groups like, the crowd,
mob, audience etc. are temporary and unstable. But
many groups are relatively permanent and stable in
character.
12. Influence on personality; social groups directly or
indirectly shape the personality of their members. They
also provide opportunities for the expression of
individuality.
11. IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL GROUPS
Survival becomes Problematic without
groups; groups have become so necessary
that our very survival becomes problematic
and doubtful in their absence. Groups are
complimentary to the development of human
faculties, traits and human nature. Man by
birth itself has the biological potentiality of
becoming man –the social being.
Man becomes man only among men;
various studies have convincingly proved that
only a human environment makes a man; a
biological
12. animal, a human being. The biological potentiality of
man to become a person does not happen on its own
automatically, even in the absence of a human
environment. The biological potentiality blooms only in
social situation, to be more precise, only in the context
of groups.
Groups help social survival also; to lead a
successful life man depends on groups. By engaging
himself in constant relations with others he learns
things and mends his ways. He keep his eyes wide
open, lends his ears to what others say, tries to keep
his memory ever fresh to remember the good things
of the past and to refrain from repeating the blunders
of the past. In brief, from birth to death, man is
engaged in the process of socialization.
13. Groups contribute to the Development of
Personality: personality is the product of the
group life. The self that every individual
develops though unique, is itself is a product
of the group. No self arises in isolation. Groups
provide scope for the individuals to express
their real nature, their talents and abilities. The
groups shape man’s attributes, his beliefs, his
morals and his ideals. Emotional development,
intellectual maturity, satisfaction of physical
and social needs are unthinkable without
groups. Group is a part our mental equipment
and we are a part of group.
14. CLASSIFICATION OF
SOCIAL GROUPS
1. In-groups and out-groups.
2. Involuntary & Voluntary groups, institutional & non-
institutional groups and Temporary & Permanent
groups.
3. Horizontal groups and vertical groups
4. Territorial groups and non-territorial groups.
5. Crowds, groups and collectivities.
6. Primary groups and secondary groups.
7. Social groups, social category and statistical
aggregates.
8. Genetic groups and congregate group.
15. CONCLUSION
The study of human society is essentially the study of
human groups. Society consists of groups of
numerable kinds and variety. No man exists without a
society and no society exists without groups. Groups
have become a part and parcel of our life. Out of
necessity and inevitability human beings are made to
live in groups. Knowingly or unknowingly or
unwillingly, with pleasure or contempt, people live in
groups and societies. Man’s life is to an enormous
extent lived and controlled by groups of different
kinds.
