Groups and Individuals PDF

GROUPS AND INDIVIDUAL Social group- is distinguished by several people who have a common characteristic. A social group consists of two or more persons who: Interact frequently Share a feeling of unite or a "we" feeling. Work together towards achieving a common goal or purpose. Expect each oth...

GROUPS AND INDIVIDUAL Social group- is distinguished by several people who have a common characteristic. A social group consists of two or more persons who: Interact frequently Share a feeling of unite or a "we" feeling. Work together towards achieving a common goal or purpose. Expect each other to behave according to a pattern which they have established over a period of time. Questions: I'm in a group called scouts. 1\. Do you refer to the other members as we when speaking about the group? 2\. Do the members meet regularly? 3\. Do the members interact with each other according to an established pattern? 4\. Do the members have common needs which they expect the group to satisfy? Social group P.T.A A Class of students Temporary group Spectators Guests at a wedding Mourners at a funeral Social category Entertainers Middle income families. The difference between a group and a social group We use the word group to refer to several people who share a common characteristic or who are together in the same place for example, we call a number of people at a scene of an accident or a number of spectator at a cricket match a group. They are individuals who are together in the same place. They only meet once and for a short time. Therefore, each one of these groups is an example of a transitory or temporary group. Primary & secondary groups Primary groups are small and all the members interact with one another face-to-face frequently and intimately. E.g. your family, your class or the friends you study with. Secondary groups are large, do not meet frequently as a primary group does nor is the interaction among the members intimate. E.g. a church, school, a political party or trade union. Formal and informal groups Formal groups Formal groups have a formal structure. There is a clear line of authority in such groups. These groups also have set rules, sanctions and criteria for memberships. E.g. of formal groups are a political party and a trade union Informal groups This type of group has an informal structure such as that of a sports club. NB \- Informal groups are usually formed within formal groups. E.g. friendship groups. Comparing formal and informal groups Features Formal groups E.g. a school Informal groups e.g. a friendship group structure There is a clearly defined hierarchical structure with status, roles and clear lines of authority There is no clearly defined structure. The structure is informal and based on personal relationships which exists among the members. Leader There is an appointed or elected leader Someone usually emerges as leader Rules There are written rules with sanctions. There are no written rules. Goals The goal is clearly defined. Goals change with the changing activities. Membership requirements Individuals must satisfy certain criteria for membership. Members may join and leave quickly. Peer group A peer group is a group that is made up of persons of approximately the same age, who shares similar interest, values and backgrounds. N.B. Peer pressure is the influence of the members of the peer group to make others conform to the groups values and behavior. In group and out group When we speak about some of the groups to which we belong, we often refer to other members as "we". These are your in groups, e.g. you may refer to members of a group that you play with as "we". On the other hand when you refer to their groups of which you are not a member you refer to them as "they". These are your out groups. E.g. when you speak about members of an opposing team we refer to them as "they". Social control Formal social group have rules which describes the pattern of behavior which the members are expected to follow. These rules are based on the norms of society. Norms These are unwritten rules or standards which a group or society has abolished to regulate how its members are to behave in particular situations. For example: you are expected to pay debts, support your children, be faithful to the wife. Folkways For example: are norms which deal with the habits such as shaking hands when you are introduced to someone, saying "thank you" when you are offered something, celebrating birthdays and observing wakes. Mores On the other hand, are norms which deal with more serious matters which may affect the welfare of individuals. They reinforce the society's moral values and carry penalties for individuals who violate them. For example, you should not steal another's property or deliberately injure someone. Values Are those ideas and principles which a group or society share about what is good or bad, right or wrong, desirable or undesirable, important or unimportant. The way we think or act is influenced by our values. For example because of our values many of us think that it is wrong to abuse drugs, steal or engage in early sexual activities. Social control is the means by which a society or group teaches its members to obey its norms. It is the means by which a society or group of teachers its members how t expects them to behave. N.B.- All groups do not promote positive norms. Individual and the family An individual is a person who is unique in their own way. A individual is a unique person. Unique means the only one of its kind. The family- this may be defined as a group of people related by blood, law or consent living together under the same roof. Family types & unions in the Caribbean 1\. Nuclear family- I a married or unmarried couple who share a common residence with their children. The children may/ may not be adopted. 2\. Single parent family- is the name given to a family where a man/ woman lives with their child or children where the children may/ may not be adopted. 3\. The extended family- this is a situation where the family is made up of members from other generations 4\. Sibling household 5\. Reorganized family Family unions in the Caribbean 1\. Legal marriage 2\. Common law/ consensual union 3\. Visiting relationships- a man and a woman who are not married share a sexual relationship and do not share a common residence. Common law/ consensual union- a man and a woman who are not married, share a sexual union and a common residence. Legal marriage- a man and a woman who are legally married share a common residence, share a socially approved sexual relationship.