Sociology Chapter: Groups and Clusters

Human Clusters vs Social Groups

• Aggregates: Groups of individuals who are present together but do not interact, such as people waiting for public transport or in supermarket lines.
• Social Categories: Groups defined by shared characteristics, often without actual interaction or meeting among members.
• Collectivities: Temporary groups like crowds or social movements characterized by short-lived interactions and lacking established cultural norms.

Social Groups

• Defined as collections of individuals with interdependent relationships that enable pursuit of shared goals, emphasizing the importance of interdependence.

Primary and Secondary Groups

• Primary Groups: Small, intimate groups fostering face-to-face, emotion-based interactions over long periods.
• Secondary Groups: Larger, less personal, and more specialized, where interactions are typically impersonal and goal-oriented.

In-Groups and Out-Groups

• In-Groups: Groups to which an individual belongs, fostering a sense of identity, solidarity, and exclusivity.
• Out-Groups: Groups to which an individual does not belong, often evoking competitiveness or hostility.
• Characteristics of in-groups include:
  • Unique identifiers (titles and symbols) that distinguish members.
  • Positive attitudes toward fellow members, coupled with negative views towards out-group members.
  • Unity and cooperation developed through shared experiences, contrasted with competitive attitudes toward non-members.

Reference Groups

• Groups used for self-comparison, significantly influencing an individual's behavior regardless of membership. Examples include family, colleagues, schoolmates, or community groups.

Networks

• Structure of relationships among social actors, encompassing interconnections and ties among individuals and larger institutions.
• Social networks are exemplified by platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, highlighting the importance of social connections in the digital age.