Social Organization: Forms and Functions

Forms and Function of Social Organization

• Individuals should behave as part of a political community.
• Assess rules of social interaction to maintain stability and innovation in response to challenges.
• Analyze the forms and functions of social organizations.

Introduction

• Society is organized through interaction, shared interests, belonging, influence, and cooperation to achieve goals.

Forms of Social Group

• Groups consist of people interacting based on shared behavior, identity, goals and interests.
• Examples of social groups include family, relatives, friends, couples, church mates, schoolmates, co-workers, business, neighborhoods, organizations, and clubs.

Group Definition

• A collection of people interacting with shared expectations (Kornblum, 2003).
• Consists of two or more people in stable social interaction with a sense of unity (Hughes and Kroeler, 2009).
• A group comprises people in social interaction that are guided by similar values and maintain stable relationships.
• Consists of individuals recognizing members from non-members, characterized by communication and recognition.

Requirements for Group

• A group needs at least two people.
• Interaction must occur between members.
• Members should be physically together.

Factors Influencing Groups

• Motivational base shared by individuals (needs, interests, desires).
• Size of the group
• Type of group goals
• The capability to function and interact collectively toward their goals.

General Characteristics

• Groups have an identity known to both members and outsiders.
• Groups have a social structure where each member has a position relative to others.
• Each group member has roles to play.
• Mutual reciprocity exists among members.

Group vs. Other Groups

• Aggregate: People in the same place without interacting, like moviegoers or people on public transit.
• Category: People sharing traits like age, gender, race, class, religion, or ethnicity.
• Collectivity: People gathered in a location and time, such as crowds or temporary social movements.

Classification of Groups

Primary Group

• Personal and intimate relationships.
• Face-to-face communication.
• Permanent duration.
• Strong loyalty and "we" feeling.
• Small in size.
• Informal structure.
• Traditional or non-rational decision making.

Secondary Group

• Large size.
• Impersonal, aloof relationship.
• Indirect communication.
• Temporary duration.
• Rational decision-making.

Group Boundaries

In-Group

• Individuals identify with the group.
• A sense of belonging, solidarity, camaraderie, and protection among members.
• Members are loyal, sharing common norms, activities, goals, and background.

Out-Group

• Viewed as outsiders by the in-group.
• Insufficient contact between members of each group
• Feelings of dislike, avoidance, antagonism, indifference, or hatred from in-group members toward the out-group.

Reference Group

• Significant groups serve as models.
• A group someone has a high regard for and patterns their life after.
• It’s aspect is self-identification rather than actual membership

Network

• A network represents social interactions and personal relationships.
• Social interactions can occur on a website or app for communication.

Types of Group Boundaries

Formal Group

• Defined duties, privileges, and expectations are prescribed.
• Roles are explicitly designed, such as president, secretary, and treasurer.
• Governed by a constitution or set of bylaws.

Informal Group

• They are an unpanned, have no explicit rules for membership and do not have specific objectives to be attained.
• Arises spontaneously from the interactions of two or more people.
• Members share confidences, intimacy, and a sense of belonging.

Consequences of Group Boundaries

• People gain a clearer sense of diversity.
• Ethnocentrism may grow.
• Serious personal and social problems may arise.