Week One & TwoSocial Groups

Meaning of Social Group

Types and Examples Of Social Groups

Characteristics, Similarities & Differences

Meaning of social group

• A social group is a group of individuals whose relationships and interactions are for achieving a common goal which benefits them or the society. It is also known as a social organization.

• Types and examples of social groups

• There are two main types of social groups, namely:

a. Primary social group

b. Secondary social group

PRIMARY SOCIAL GROUP

• PRIMARY SOCIAL GROUP: this consists of people who usually have close relationship over a long period of time and are emotionally committed to one another. Examples are family, age-groups, peer-group and kinship group.

• Characteristics Of Primary Social Group

a. Face to face interaction

b. Smallness of size

c. Loyalty to one another

d. Emotional commitment to one another

e. Permanent relationships

f. It is a multipurpose organization

SECONDARY GROUP

• SECONDARY GROUP: this consists of a large number of people, most of who don’t know each other. However, they are bound together by a common interest or goal to be attained for the benefit of their members or the society. Examples are trade unions, political parties, voluntary organizations, pressure groups, clubs associations, companies, schools etc.

• CHARACTERISTICS OF SECONDARY SOCIAL GROUP

a. Large membership

b. Members are not closely related by blood

c. Members are spread over different and distant geographical locations

d. Members operate or interact strictly within laid down rules and regulations

e. Members are united by a common goal

f. The punishment for members is more severe than that of the primary social groups

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY

SOCIAL GROUPS

a. They are social organizations

b. They have aims and objectives

c. They have leaders and followers

d. They protect member interests

e. They are useful in the society

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE PRIMARY AND THE

SECONDARY SOCIAL GROUPSNo. Primary Group Secondary Group

1. Members are related by blood or descent Members are from different socio-cultural and historical backgrounds

2 Small membership Large membership in size

3. Members maintain very close relationships

Relationship here is purely official and formal

4. Rules and regulations are very simple and not stringent

Rules and regulations are complex and stringent

5. A multipurpose organization A special purpose organization with a specific assignment or duty in the society

ASSIGNMENT

• Define the term social group

• Give three examples of both primary and secondary group. Briefly explain how they operate

• Define the term group behavior and state four features of group behavior

• List four benefits of group behavior