Social Groups

                                        Group

A group is a number of units of anything in close proximity to one another such as group of trees in a forest,a group of air planes in an airport.
Thus,the term 'group' is used generally to state the fact of association.It implies nothing as to the size,form,function,permanence or cohesive principle.

Social group-A social group comes into existence,"Whenever two or more persons interact,whether in the intimacy of a picnic or in the roar of a bargain sale,they are groups".Social group is a mental phenomenon, rather than a physical entity. It requires three things for its formation.
1-Reciprocal stimulus
2-Response, and
3-Mutual awareness,that is the consciousness of interaction.

Harry M.Johnson says that 'A social group is a system of social interaction '.

Ogburn and Nimkoff," Whenever two or more individuals come together and influence one another, they may said to constitute a social group."

R.M MacIver and Page defined social group as any collection of human beings who are brought into human relationships with one another.

                            Characteristics of social groups

The main characteristics of social groups are as follows-
1- Collection of Individual- Social groups consist of people. Without individuals there can be no group. Just as we cannot have a college or university without students and teachers we cannot have a group in the absence of people.

2-Interactions among Members- Social interaction is the very basis of group life. Hence mere collection of individuals does not make a group.

3-Mutual Awareness- Group life involves mutual awareness. Group members are aware of one another and their behaviour is determined by this mutual recognition.

4-We-feeling- We-feeling refers to the tendency on the part of the members to identify themselves with the groups. It represents group unity.

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 qualities interactions of its members.

6-Common Interest- The interest and ideal of group are common. Groups are mostly formed or established for the fulfilment. Hence, there are political groups, religious groups,economic groups,educational groups,racial groups,national groups and so on.

7-Similar Behaviour- The members of group behave in more or less similar way for the pursuit of common interest. Social groups represent collective behaviour.

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,tradition,conventions,laws etc.

9-Size of the Group- Every group involves an idea of size . Social groups vary in size. A group may be as small as that of dyad (two members group e.g.husband and wife family).

10-Groups are Dynamic- Social group are not static but dynamic. They are subject to changes whether slow or rapid. Old members die and new members are born. Whether due to internal or external pressures or forces , groups undergo changes.

11-Stability-Groups are stable or unstable,permanent or temporary in character. Some groups like the crowd,mob,audience,spectators groups etc. are temporary and unstable. But many groups are relatively permanent and stable in character.

12-Influence on Personality- Social group directly or indirectly shape the personality of their members. They also provide opportunities for the expression of individuality.

                           Types of groups

Groups have been classified variously on the on the basis of factors such as racial features,religious beliefs,territory,nature of government,size,caste,sex,age,class,occupation,degree of organisation,nature of social interaction,range of group interest,permanent or temporary nature,degree of mobility and so on.

1-In-Groups and Out-Groups- W.G.Sumner in his 'Folkways' differentiates between 'in-group and out-group. An In-group is simply the we-group,an Out-group the 'they group'. This classification is more subjective,in the sense,it depends on the tendency on the part of an individual to identify himself with a particular groups in a particular situation for a particular reason.
For example- For a Hindu , all other Hindus constitute his 'in-group and members of other religious groups 'out-groups '.

2-Involuntary and Voluntary Groups, Institutional and Non-Institutional Groups and Temporary and Permanent Groups-Charles A. Ellwood in his 'Psychology of Human Society' has mentioned these three categories.Involuntary groups include the groups include the groups such as family, city, the state, community, caste, race etc. and the Voluntary groups include political parties, trade unions, youth associations, religious associations cultural associations and so on. Institutional groups are mostly permanent in nature and include church, state, caste, the school and so on while the Non-Institutional groups are temporary in nature and include groups such as crowds, mobs, public, audience and so on.

3-Horizontal Groups and Vertical Groups-P.A. Sorokin has divided groups into two major types-the horizontal and the vertical. The farmer are large inclusive groups;such as nations, religious organisations and political parties. The letter are smaller divisions ,such as economic classes which give the individual his status in society.

4-Territorial Groups and Non-Territorial Group-Park and Burgess have distinguished between territorial groups(e.g.communities and state) and non-territorial groups (e.g. classes, castes, crowds and public).

5-Crowds,groups and Collectivities- Leopold Von Wiese and Howard Becker classified human groups into three categories 1-Crowds,which are described as 'loose textured and transitory '.
2-Groups,aggregations of long duration and 3-Abstract,collectivities such as a state or a church.

6-Primary groups and Secondary groups- The concept of primary group is a significant contribution of C.H. Cooley to the social thought. Primary groups are found in all the societies. It is the nucleus of all social organisations. It is a small group in which a few persons come into direct contact with one another. These persons meet face to face for mutual help,companionship and discussion of common questions.
Secondary groups- The Secondary groups are almost the opposite of primary groups. The social groups other than those of primary groups,may be termed as 'secondary groups ' . They are a residual category. They are often called 'special interest groups '. MacIver and Page refer to them as 'great association '. They are of the opinion that secondary groups have become almost inevitable today.
There appearance is mainly due to the growing cultural complexity.

Ogburn and Nimkoff says that 'groups which provide experience lacking in intimacy 'can be called secondary groups.

7-Social group, Social category and Statistical aggregate- Social groups are those which are characterised by some established pattern of interaction.
Example- Peer group,classroom group,family etc.
Social category,refers to the people who share a common status.
 Example-Bank officials,teachers,farmers etc.
Statistical aggregate,includes people who share similar interests.
Example-Cricket fans,subscribers of magazines.

8-Genetic group and Congregate groups- F.Q. Giddings has introduced genetic groups are involtary in nature and the individuals are born in them. Congregate groups are voluntary in natures and the individuals are at liberty to join them or not.
Example-family groups,racial groups etc are genetic groups and political parties,trade unions are congregate groups.

9-Tonnies classification of communities (or groups)- A German Sociologist Ferdinand Tonnies has classified communities into "Gemeinschaft" and "Gesellschaft".which means 'Community' and 'association'.
Gemeinschaft (community)-A family,kin group,the neighbourhood,the Rural village,the friend group represents the Gemeinschaft. In such groups intimate, friendly and personal relations are found among the members.
Gesselschaft (association)- Business companies, corporation, cities, town etc represents Gesselschaft type group. In these groups the individuals are not wholly involved in the group life. They look to the groups of the satisfaction of some specific and partial ends.

10-Small groups and Large groups-George Simmel introduced this classification.Small groups include 'dyad' ,'triad' and other small group. Large groups represents racial groups, political groups,nation and other big collectivities.