51 Questions
What is one key characteristic of an organisation according to Schein (1980)?
A deliberate design
According to Schein (1980), what does an organization emphasize and rely on?
Formal prescriptions of both acceptable and unacceptable behavior
What is the purpose of the planned coordination in an organization?
Achievement of some common goal
What defines the hierarchy within an organization?
Authority and responsibility
Why is division of labor and function important in an organization?
It helps to achieve some common goal
What term do social psychologists use to refer to the coherence or 'bonded together' trait of groups?
Entitativity
What range does entitativity cover in terms of group relationships?
From mere collections of people to highly intimate relationships
When is a group considered a 'true group' according to Lickel et al. (2000)?
When entitativity is high/strong.
What are two characteristics of high entitativity groups?
The group is important to its members; Members share common goals and outcomes.
According to the content, what similarities do members of high entitativity groups share?
They are similar in many important ways such as relationships, values/norms, and attitudes.
What is a key characteristic of common-bond groups?
Face-to-face interaction.
What differentiates common-identity groups from common-bond groups in terms of interaction?
Face-to-face interaction is often absent.
Give an example of a common-bond group.
Work teams.
Provide two examples of common-identity groups.
Gender and ethnic groups.
Why might membership in common-identity groups be important even without face-to-face interaction?
Membership in these groups is important to our identity.
What is the primary function of a task group?
To get a particular job done and all their activities are geared towards this end/outcome.
What is the main purpose of social groups?
To provide social interaction and enjoyment for their members.
Why should groups not focus entirely on either task or social functions?
Pursuing one at the expense of the other will not augur well for the group.
Can a task group have social functions?
Yes, groups generally perform both task and social functions.
What is an example of a task group?
A committee.
What is the main function of a reference group?
Setting and enforcing standards of conduct and belief.
Give an example of a reference group.
Religious affiliation, such as Muslim or Christian.
How many people typically make up a focus group?
10-15 people.
What is the purpose of assembling a focus group?
To discuss a research topic.
What distinguishes a focus group from other types of groups?
It is assembled to discuss a specific research topic and disbanded afterwards.
What is an adhoc group?
A temporary group created to meet a particular need and disbanded once the need is met.
When are impromptu groups formed?
On the spur of the moment or just when the need arises.
Describe an ongoing group.
A group that interacts repeatedly over a period of time.
Give an example of an adhoc group.
Student project work group.
What distinguishes an ongoing group from an impromptu group?
Ongoing groups interact repeatedly over time, whereas impromptu groups are formed spontaneously when needed.
Who coined the term 'primary group'?
Charles Horton Cooley
What is a key characteristic of primary groups?
Open communication and emotional support
How are communications typically handled in secondary groups?
Formally and impersonally
What role do primary groups play in an individual's life?
They play an important role in the development and socialization of the individual.
What is the main difference between primary and secondary groups in terms of intimacy?
Primary groups have high intimacy; secondary groups have little intimacy.
What is an in-group?
Any group to which people feel they belong.
What is an out-group?
Any group to which people do not feel a sense of belonging.
How do in-group members typically view themselves compared to out-group members?
They view themselves as distinct, superior, and better.
What is the theory proposed by Robert Merton (1968) regarding in-group and out-group virtues?
The conversion of in-group virtues into out-group vices and vice-versa.
How might one explain neglect of children differently when comparing their in-group to an out-group?
Neglect by in-group members may be attributed to poverty, while neglect by out-group members might be seen as irresponsibility.
What is an example of an aggregate group?
People at a bus stop
Which level of group is important for the sense of identity of its members?
Identity groups
What type of group would an audience at a concert be considered?
Minimal group
Who identified the different levels of groupness?
Steven Penrod
Provide an example of an identity group.
Family
How does physical proximity affect group formation?
Physical proximity increases the likelihood of group formation by making it easier for individuals to interact and form common goals.
What role does similarity play in group formation?
Similarity significantly influences group formation as individuals with similar age, sex, beliefs, and opinions are more likely to come together.
Why are individuals more likely to form groups in stressful situations?
In stressful situations, individuals are more likely to form groups to provide physical and emotional support to one another.
What happens to group formation under extremely high stress levels?
Under extremely high stress levels, people are more likely to seek solitude rather than forming groups.
What are the two reasons for group homogeneity?
Groups attract people who are already similar, and they encourage similarity within members.
Can interactions made possible by physical proximity lead to common goals?
Yes, interactions made possible by physical proximity can lead to the development of common goals.
Study Notes
What is an Organisation?
- An organisation is the planned coordination of activities of a number of people for the achievement of a common goal, through the division of labor and function, and through a hierarchy of authority and responsibility.
- Key characteristics of an organisation include:
- A deliberate design
- Specific purposes and goals
- Emphasis on formal prescriptions of acceptable and unacceptable behavior
What is a Group?
- A group refers to a collection of people who are bonded together, with a high degree of entitativity, and share common goals and outcomes.
- Key components of a group include:
- Importance of the group to its members
- Shared common goals and outcomes
- Similarity in important ways (e.g. values, norms, attitudes)
Types of Groups
- Task Groups: function to get a particular job done, and all activities are geared towards this end (e.g. committees).
- Social Groups: exist for the social interaction and enjoyment of their members.
- Common Bond Groups: involves face-to-face interaction and members are bonded to each other (e.g. work teams, sports teams).
- Common Identity Groups: members are linked via the category as a whole, rather than to each other (e.g. gender, ethnic, national, religious groups).
- Primary Group: small, intimate groups characterized by cooperation and face-to-face association and interaction (e.g. the family).
- Secondary Group: large, formal groups with little intimacy, impersonality, and mutual understanding (e.g. a university).
- Ad-hoc Group: temporary, created to meet a particular need, and disbanded when the need is met.
- Impromptu Group: created on the spur of the moment or just when the need arises.
- Ongoing Group: interacts repeatedly over a period of time (e.g. a board of trustees).
- Reference Group: any group that individuals use as a standard for evaluating themselves and their behavior.
- Focus Group: a small group of people assembled to discuss a research topic.
- In-group: any group to which people feel they belong.
- Out-group: any group to which people do not feel a sense of belonging.
Groupness as a Matter of Degree
- Aggregate Group: a collection of individuals with no social connection whatsoever.
- Minimal Group: a collection of individuals that have at least some social connection, although it may be weak.
- Identity Group: the strongest form of group, important for the sense of identity of those who belong to it.
Factors that Promote Group Formation
- Physical Proximity: makes the formation of a group more likely, as it is a powerful determinant of attraction.
- Similarity: influences group formation, as similarity is a significant determinant of interpersonal attraction.
- Anxiety/Stress: individuals are more likely to form groups in highly stressful situations, as it becomes obvious that the best way to survive is to work with others who can provide physical and emotional support.
This quiz covers the concepts of primary and secondary groups in sociology, including their characteristics and roles in socialization. Learn about the differences between these two types of groups and their importance in our lives.
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