Introduction to Social

Sciences
Ms. Afshan Manzoor
University of Education
Fall 2020
Social Groups
 Social Groups
• Man is a social animal, he can not live alone
Man is a social animal, he can not live alone. His nature and needs
compel him to live in one or the other form of the group. Basis of
group is two or more than two persons having some type of
interaction i.e. direct or in-direct ( social interaction is the basic
condition of social group).
 Definition of Social Group
• ‘A group is an aggregate of individuals which persists in time, which

has one or more interests and activities in common and which is

organised’.

Green Arnold
 Definition of Social Groups
• Whenever two or more individuals come together and influence each

other , they may be said to constitute a social group’.

Ogburn and Nimkoff

 Elements of Social Group
• There are following essentials of social group:
1. There are at least two persons.

2. There is a reciprocal relationship among the members.

3. There is a common purpose, among the group members.

 Characteristics of Social group
• Collectivity

• Interaction

• Mutual Awareness

• Reciprocity

• We Feeling
Collectivity, interaction
1. The basic pre – requisite of a group is the existence of more than one
individual . Groups vary in size from two members to several hundred
million.
2. These members are aware of the fact that they belong to the same group
• Interaction:
1. The most important characteristics of a group is the distinctive
interaction that occurs among its members.
2. When the patterns of interaction become more involving , we can think
of a group.
3. For e.g. in a class –room, students exchange greetings and share
information with each other and they are treated as a group by teachers
Mutual Awareness
• There is physical and symbolic interaction ( direct & indirect
interaction)among the members of a group. They are aware of the
existence of other members.
• 2. Mutual awareness makes them respond and behave in a particular
ways and thus, influence one another.
• 3. Each member recognizes that he is a part of the group. Greater
importance is given to the group life in comparison with individual
life.
• 4. It indicates that members derive their meaning and significance
only in relation to one another.
Reciprocity
1. Members are not only aware of one another, but also respond or
behave in particular ways.
2. Their relations are reciprocal.
3. They are in a position to stimulate each other meaningfully and are in a
position to respond meaningfully to any common stimulus.
4. Members are aware of the roles, duties and obligations, as well as the
privileges resulting from group membership.
We- felling
We –feeling means that group members have common loyalties.
They share some similar values and see as well as set themselves
apart from the rest of the world because of their membership in one
particular group.
In this sense, citizens of a nation, nation, who are united by common
political processes and who share a number of similar loyalties, a
common history and a sense of common future, are considered a
group.
Among the members of the group, there is as sense of belongingness
which is exhibited through common ideas, values, goals and activities.
 Importance of social group
❖ study of human groups

❖ Personality development

❖ To study the culture

❖ Study of institutions

❖ To fulfil the social needs

 Types of Social groups
• On the • On the
basis of basis of
intimacy membersh
1- primary
1- Member ip
ship group
group
2- Non
2- secondary
membership
group
group

1- Formal
1-In group group
2- Out group 2- Informal
group
• On the basis • On the basis
of identity / of rules &
characteristi regulations
cs
 Social groups On the basis of intimacy
❖ Primary group
❖ Secondary group

Primary group:

• Primary group In C.H Cooley’s words:

“By primary group I mean those characterized by intimate face to face association and co- operation. They are

primary in many senses, but chiefly fundamental in forming the social nature and ideals of the individual”.

Emotions , attitude, ideas and habits of individuals develop within this group.
 Characteristics of Primary Group
1. Physical Proximity:
The members of a group share close relationship and they have intimate contact with
each other.
2. Small in size
3. Stability in nature: Stability promotes closeness.
4- Frequent/Continuity in relationship:

By meeting frequently and by exchanging thoughts, intimacy increases.

5. Consciousness of kind: They recognize one another and express it whenever needed.

6. Maximum control over group members: Family members control over family affairs.
7- Face to face interaction: primary groups are characterized by close
intimate and face to face interaction.
8- Mutual aid & help: They cooperate with each other at the time of
help.
9- Personal Relation: They interact with each other on the basis of
personal relation.
10- Similarity of background: Members of this group must have more
or less same background.
 Importance of primary group
1- To develop the personality
2- The efficiency of members increases and persons of the group get
help, inspiration and cooperation from one another.
3- Satisfaction of total needs of the individuals: Primary groups help
fulfilling physical, emotional, psychological, social and spiritual of the
individual.
4- Group members provide love, security, belongingness and
companionship to one another.
5- Socialization process initiates within the primary group.
 Secondary group
• “Groups which provide experience lacking in intimacy can be called
secondary group” Ogburn &Nimkoff

• “The secondary group is larger and more formal, is specialized and

direct in its contact and relies more for unity and continuance upon
the stability of its social organization than does the primary group”

Frank D. Watson
 Secondary groups
• Secondary Groups are of special significance in the modern, complex society. A

secondary group is one which is large in size, has a formal organization , has a

specific aim or objective. These groups depict a cold world, where members may

co-operate with one-another, but this co-operation is for achieving their selfish

ends.
Characteristics of Secondary groups
1. Large in size
2. In-direct communications ( internet, telephone etc)
3. Contractual relationships
4. Impersonal relations ( based on common interest)
5. Less physical proximity
6. Specific ends or interest
7. Membership is voluntary
8. Social control ( enforcement of rules and regulations)
 Importance of secondary social group
• Helps in the specialization of the personality

• Emphasis on efficiency

• Provides channels of opportunity Wider outlook

• Cultural advancement

• Helpful in bringing fast social/cultural change.

Difference between Primary and Secondary
Groups
• Size
• Relations
• Duration
• Motive
• Intimacy
• Development
• Area of work
• Responsibility
 Social groups on the basis of identity
• In-groups and Out-groups
In-Groups: groups toward which individuals feel loyalty provide a
sense of belonging Out-Group: those toward which the feel
antagonism Help to reinforce the loyalty of members in the in-group
“US” vs. “THEM” According to Robert K. Merton, the behaviors of an
in-group’s members are seen as virtues, while the same behaviors by
members of an out-group are viewed as vices.
 In group
• A group, to which we directly belong, is called our in group. It can be

our family, tribe, sex , occupation, games or interest groups. The term

in- group used when an individual wants to identify himself with a

group or show an association with his group i.e, we are Muslims, we

are Pakistani etc etc.

 Out- Group
• A group, which we don’t belong, is called an out- group. It can be any

group of others (not ours) including a family, tribe, sex and occupation etc

etc. the term out-group is used to distinguish one`s identity from that of

others or to compare one`s identity to that of others. For example we are

Pakistani (in-group) they are Indians (out-group).

 Social groups on the basis of rule and
regulations
• Formal group

• In-formal group

• Formal Groups:
• It is a group that has well defined rules and regulations for joining the group, staying the
group and leaving the group. Those who fulfil these rules and regulations, can join and
engage in the activities of the group. The membership can be canceled if the member
violates the rules. For example , educational institutions, banks, hospitals etc.
 Informal group
• It is a group which has prescribed rules and regulations for joining

the group, staying the group and leaving the group. Any person can

join the group, participate in it and leave it whenever he wants. For

example a group of students sitting in the playground and gossiping

with each other. Any other class mate can come and join them.
 Social groups on the basis of Membership
• Membership groups
• Non Membership groups
• Membership groups
• A group in which the members must get themselves registered and acquire

a membership card or certificate for becoming a part of it, is termed as a

membership group. Examples: political parties, club, societies etc etc

 Non-Membership Group

• A person or organization that has not officially joined a particular

group.
Reference group
• Groups which serve as points of comparison are known as reference
groups’
Ogburn and Nimkoff

• Á reference group is any group which we refer to when making any

judgment –any group whose value judgment becomes our value
judgment’.
Horton and Hunt
Reference group
• Result of high aspirations One can be a member of one or more than
one reference group at the same time Its identity is based on the
perceiver Reference groups can change Reference group is always
higher in status than the individual

• They perform a comparison function by serving as a standard against

which people can measure themselves and others.