Types of Social Groups

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Questions and Answers

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 Signup and view all the answers

Why is division of labor and function important in an organization?

It helps to achieve some common goal Signup and view all the answers

What term do social psychologists use to refer to the coherence or 'bonded together' trait of groups?

Entitativity Signup and view all the answers

What range does entitativity cover in terms of group relationships?

From mere collections of people to highly intimate relationships Signup and view all the answers

When is a group considered a 'true group' according to Lickel et al. (2000)?

When entitativity is high/strong. Signup and view all the answers

What are two characteristics of high entitativity groups?

The group is important to its members; Members share common goals and outcomes. Signup and view all the answers

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. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of common-bond groups?

Face-to-face interaction. Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates common-identity groups from common-bond groups in terms of interaction?

Face-to-face interaction is often absent. Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of a common-bond group.

Work teams. Signup and view all the answers

Provide two examples of common-identity groups.

Gender and ethnic groups. Signup and view all the answers

Why might membership in common-identity groups be important even without face-to-face interaction?

Membership in these groups is important to our identity. Signup and view all the answers

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. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of social groups?

To provide social interaction and enjoyment for their members. Signup and view all the answers

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. Signup and view all the answers

Can a task group have social functions?

Yes, groups generally perform both task and social functions. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a task group?

A committee. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of a reference group?

Setting and enforcing standards of conduct and belief. Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of a reference group.

Religious affiliation, such as Muslim or Christian. Signup and view all the answers

How many people typically make up a focus group?

10-15 people. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of assembling a focus group?

To discuss a research topic. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a focus group from other types of groups?

It is assembled to discuss a specific research topic and disbanded afterwards. Signup and view all the answers

What is an adhoc group?

A temporary group created to meet a particular need and disbanded once the need is met. Signup and view all the answers

When are impromptu groups formed?

On the spur of the moment or just when the need arises. Signup and view all the answers

Describe an ongoing group.

A group that interacts repeatedly over a period of time. Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of an adhoc group.

Student project work group. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes an ongoing group from an impromptu group?

Ongoing groups interact repeatedly over time, whereas impromptu groups are formed spontaneously when needed. Signup and view all the answers

Who coined the term 'primary group'?

Charles Horton Cooley Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of primary groups?

Open communication and emotional support Signup and view all the answers

How are communications typically handled in secondary groups?

Formally and impersonally Signup and view all the answers

What role do primary groups play in an individual's life?

They play an important role in the development and socialization of the individual. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between primary and secondary groups in terms of intimacy?

Primary groups have high intimacy; secondary groups have little intimacy. Signup and view all the answers

What is an in-group?

Any group to which people feel they belong. Signup and view all the answers

What is an out-group?

Any group to which people do not feel a sense of belonging. Signup and view all the answers

How do in-group members typically view themselves compared to out-group members?

They view themselves as distinct, superior, and better. Signup and view all the answers

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. Signup and view all the answers

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. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of an aggregate group?

People at a bus stop Signup and view all the answers

Which level of group is important for the sense of identity of its members?

Identity groups Signup and view all the answers

What type of group would an audience at a concert be considered?

Minimal group Signup and view all the answers

Who identified the different levels of groupness?

Steven Penrod Signup and view all the answers

Provide an example of an identity group.

Family Signup and view all the answers

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. Signup and view all the answers

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. Signup and view all the answers

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. Signup and view all the answers

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. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two reasons for group homogeneity?

Groups attract people who are already similar, and they encourage similarity within members. Signup and view all the answers

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. Signup and view all the answers

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.

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Description

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.