Social Groups and Individuals Quiz

Social Groups and Individuals

• Social groups are defined by shared characteristics, involving two or more people interacting frequently.
• Individuals in social groups share a sense of unity (a "we" feeling) and cooperate towards common goals.
• Group members expect each other to adhere to established patterns of behavior.

Social Group Examples

• PTA (Parent-Teacher Association): A group of parents working together with teachers.
• Student class: A group of students in the same class.
• Temporary groups: Spectators at an event, mourners at a funeral.
• Social categories: Entertainers, middle-income families.

Group vs. Social Group

• Groups can be temporary gatherings of people in the same place.
• Social groups are characterized by shared characteristics and ongoing interaction.
• Examples of groups include spectators at an accident, people at a cricket match
• Examples of social groups include extended families or groups of friends.

Primary and Secondary Groups

• Primary groups: Small, intimate groups with frequent face-to-face interaction. (Family, close friends, class.)
• Secondary groups: Larger groups with infrequent, less intimate interactions. (Political party, school)

Formal and Informal Groups

• Formal groups: Structured with designated leaders, rules, and clear lines of authority. (School, political party)
• Informal groups: Less structured, often forming within formal groups and centered on personal relationships. (Friendship groups in a school club)

Features of Formal Groups

• Clearly defined hierarchical structure
• Set rules, sanctions, and criteria for membership
• Appointed or elected leaders
• Written rules

Features of Informal Groups

• Informal structure based on relationships
• No formal leaders, often emerging leaders
• No written rules

Social Control

• Formal social groups have rules based on societal norms dictating expected behavior
• Norms are unwritten rules that guide behavior in particular situations e.g paying debts, childcare, respectful communication

Values

• Values are ideas/principles regarding what's considered good or bad.
• These influence how people think and act. Examples include those of a society about what is good or bad.

Peer Groups

• Peer groups are comprised of people of similar age, interests, and backgrounds.
• Peer pressure is influence from peers to conform to group values and behavior.

In-Groups and Out-Groups

• "We" refer to the group one belongs to (in-group)
• "They" refers to a group outside of one's own (out-group)

Family Types

• Nuclear family: Married or unmarried couple with children.
• Single-parent family: One parent raising children.
• Extended family: Multiple generations living together
• Sibling household: siblings who live together
• Reorganized family: Family structure may change due to divorce/remarriage