Social group

A group can be defined as two or more humans that interact with one another, accept expectations 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.

A true group exhibits some degree of social cohesion and is more than a simple collection or aggregate of individuals, such as people waiting at a bus stop. Characteristics shared by members of a group may include interests, values, ethnic or social background, and kinship ties. According to Paul Hare, the defining characteristic of a group is social interaction.

Types of groups

Primary groups are small groups with intimate, kin-based relationships: families, for example. They commonly last for years. They are small and display face to face interaction.

Secondary groups, in contrast to primary groups, are large groups whose relationships are formal and institutional. They may last for years or may disband after a short time. The formation of primary groups happens within secondary groups.

Individuals almost universally have a bond toward what are known as reference groups. These are groups to which the individual conceptually relates him/herself, and from which he/she adopts goals and values as a part of his/her self identity.

Other types of groups include the following:

• Peer group - A peer group is a group of approximately the same age, social status, and interests. Generally, people are relatively equal in terms of power when they interact with peers.
• Clique - An informal, tight-knit group, usually in a High School/College setting, that shares common interests. There is an established yet shifting power structure in most Cliques.
• Club - A club is a group, which usually requires one to apply to become a member. Such clubs may be dedicated to particular activities, such as sporting clubs.
• Household - all individuals who live in the same home, there are various models in anglophone culture including the family, blended families, share housing, and group homes.
• Community - A community is a group of people with a commonality or sometimes a complex net of overlapping commonalities, often - but not always - in proximity with one another with some degree of continuity over time. They often have some organization and leaders.
• Franchise- this is an organization which runs several instances of a business in many locations.
• Gang - A gang is usually an urban group that gathers in a particular area. It is a group of people that often hang around each other. They can be like some clubs, but much less formal.
• Mob - A mob is usually a group of people that has taken the law into their own hands. Mobs are usually a group which gather temporarily for a particular reason.
• Posse - A posse was initially an American term for a group of citizens that had banded together to enforce the law. However, it can also refer to a street group.
• Squad - This is usually a small group, of around 3-8 people, that would work as a team to accomplish their goals.
• Team - similar to a squad, though a team may contain many more members. A team works in a similar way to a squad.

Common uses of the term

The dictionary gives the word group the meaning of "lump" or "mass." A general definition is "an assemblage of objects standing near together, and forming a collective unity; a knot (of people), a cluster (of things)." The dictionary quotation by the famous British author Walter Bagehot (1826-1877) offers an important and traditional perspective on the necessity of understanding groups: "Man can only make progress in cooperative groups."

Muzafer Sherif (1916-1982) formulated a more technical definition with the following elements:

A social unit consisting of a number of individuals interacting with each other with respect to:

1. Common motives and goals;
2. An accepted division of labor, i.e. roles,
3. Established status (social rank, dominance) relationships;
4. Accepted norms and values with reference to matters relevant to the group;
5. Development of accepted sanctions (praise and punishment) if and when norms were respected or violated.

This definition is long and complex, but it is also precise. It succeeds at providing the researcher with the tools required to answer three important questions:

1. "How is a group formed?";
2. "How does a group function?";
3. "How does one describe those social interactions that occur on the way to forming a group?"

(Read more)