Social Groups : Concept & Relevance

A social group is defined as collection of Human Beings or relatively small Organization, members of which identify & interact with each other as per the norms of group.

Definition – Acc to Sheriff and Sheriff, “A group is a social unit which consists number of individuals who stand in definite status and role relationships to one another and which possesses a set of values or norms of its own, regulating the behaviour of individual members at least in matters of consequence to the group”.

Characteristics of a Social Group

Reciprocal Relations: An aggregate of individuals can constitute a social group only when they are interrelatedto each other .This interrelation is reciprocal in nature → imp part
Sense of Unity: A feeling of sympathy and sense of unity binds together. Responsible for prolonged cohesiveness of a social group.
We-feeling: Defending the interests collectively and a sense of belonging together is another important characteristic feature of the social group.
Common Interests: All the member of a group share common ideals & interests. A group is constituted in order to meet these.
Similar Behaviour: In order to pursue the common interests, the members of behave in a common way and share a common behaviour.
Group Norms: Every group is characterized by norms which are applicable equally to all the members of the group.
- Though the degree of application of these norms differs amongst member in some types of groups, group norms as a characteristic feature, is a universal phenomenon.

A social group is dynamic and not static .It may change its form and expand its activities from time to time. Sometimes change may be swift and sudden, while at other time to occur so gradually that its member are unaware of it.

Classification of Group: various ways.

Simmel, (German social Ⓟ) – based on the no of individual who constitute a social group. Since the individual is the basic & elementary unit of social group, he started with a monad, a single person as a unit of group and continued to name the dyad, triad etc.
Dwight Sanderson – on the basis of membership. He classified them into three basic types.
1. Voluntary group – is the one which a man joins out of his own wish and will. He agrees to be a member of it and is free to withdraw his membership at any time.
2. involuntary groups – is usually based on kinship, and a man has no choice to what group he will belong
3. Delegate groups – is a group in which a man joins as a representative of people either elected or nominated by them.
Ferdinand Tonnies classifies the group into Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft (Communities and Associations, respectively).
George Hassan – on basis of socials groups r/l with other groups
1. Unsocial Groups – is the one which largely lives to itself & for itself & doesn’t participate in the larger society of which is a part.
2. Pseudo-Social Groups – it participate in the large social life but mainly for its own gain & not for greater good.
3. Anti – Social Groups – is one that act against the interest the society in which it is a unit.
4. Pro-Social Groups – it is work for the interests of the society. It is engaged in constructive tasks & welfare of the people.
Charles Cooley‘s classification: He classifies the groups into two types
- Primary Groups – is the nucleus of any social organization. It is group in which a small number of persons come into direct contact with one another. There is mutual face to face relationship between members.
  - E.g Family & peer group. ; all social institution – m’age, family, Religion, caste
  - Here face to face r/l are in terms of degree of intimacy or social distance rather than physical distance. E.g people in court room are not but family member living apart are.
  - Important factor in shaping the personality of individual –
  - Psychological impact – feeling of recognition, wontedness & acceptance → harmonious env for development of personality
  - It from the link b/w individual & society. Without it no socialisation so c/l nurseries of human nature
  - Individual’s need to remain in primacy group act as a major factor in the Maintenance of social order.

So it is not exaggeration to say that the society’s persistence & disintegration depends upon the similar conditions of the primary groups.

Secondary Groups – Unlike the 1° group the 2° group is a voluntary group guided by certain set of norms. 2° Group is usually goal oriented.
- E.g A factory will have prescribed qualifications for its various jobs or a club will admit a persons based on fulfilment of certain requirements
- The interaction b/w its members are formals & no close bonds can develop. Are limited in scope & calculated in terms of self – interests.
- In modern social org the role of the it in influencing the human personality is noteworthy. – competitive spirit → develop natural tendencies + capabilities to fullest
- Also helps in broadening the outlook of its members
- Any member’s influence over the other’s personality is indirect.
- More over an individual’s status in it depends on nature of role he is pursuing.

Third type of group can be found is

References Group – Hayman introduced the concept & defined – At times when individual conform to the norms not of there group but which they want to be identified that group becomes reference group.
- Ex – In process of Sanskritisation in India upper caste become references group for lower caste. Also in case of westernisation
- Reference groups are formed, when some or all the members of the first group derive satisfaction or aspire membership in the reference groups
- This concept is significant, specially in the context of understating how human behaviour manifests in different social environments.

Conclusion – Thus social groups govern the action of individual. However with movement of societies towards post industrial, primary group are losing their relevance as no. Of activities performed by them are undertaken by secondary groups.

Institution & Group,

Group is a collection of human beings whereas an institution is a set of folkways & mores (community has natural growth)
If group has an artificial creation, institution has a natural growth
A group may be temporary whereas institutions are permanent.
Membership of both is involuntary (of community is compulsory)
Institution deepens upon collective activity, community on mutual relations
Institution is indicative of procedure whereas a community is indicative of an organisation.

Community

Mclver , community is the area of living marked by some degree of social coherence. The fact of social living & common specific area give birth to community.

Element of Community

group of people
Locality
Community Sentiments
Permanency
Naturality
Likeness
Wider ends
A Particular Name
No legal Status

Association

Mclver, an association is “an organisation deliberately formed by collective pursuit of some interest or set of interests, which its members share.

Characteristics

Group of human being
Common specific interest
Cooperative spirit
Temporary(flood relief association) or permanent (state, semi govt)
Regulation

Difference Between Association & Institution

association are comprised by human group
Association have concrete form & a definite str whereas institutions have no form & are abstract.
Institution evolve while association are formed
Associations lack the stability of an institution
Institutions are of purely symbolic nature & have no names where as association are concerted nature.

Social Groups : Concept & Relevance