Social Group

A social group is a collectivity of two or more individuals who are in state of interaction
with one another. The state of social interaction refers to the reciprocal influence individuals
exert on one another through inter-stimulation and response.

Example: A family living a home, a group of employees working in the same organization, a
group of classmates, a group of members of a meeting.

Types of Social Groups

 On the basis of contact (C.H Cooley)

 Primary group
There is face to face interaction among its members.
Examples: Family, Neighborhood, local brotherhood, close friend and peeers
 Secondary group
The group is formed by relations secondary to the primary group. Less
face to face interaction. The relations among the members are impersonal and
secondary. These relations are relatively less personal, less intimate and less
intense.
Example: A shopkeeper-customer relation, a doctor-patient relation, an teacher-
student relation.

 On the basis of Identification (W.G Sumner)

 In-group
A group to which we directly belong is called our in-group. It can be our
own family, tribe sex, occupation game or interest group. Member of this group
have a sense of ‘we feeling’ and belongingness towards their in-group.
Examples: If I am player of basketball team, my basketball team ia an ingroup
for me.
 Out-group
A group which we do not belong, is called an out-group. It can be any
group of others (no ours) including family, tribe, ethnicity, sex, occupations, or
interest groups.
Examples: we are teachers (In-group) and they are doctors (Out-group)
 On the basis of rules and regulation
 Formal group
It is a group that has well defined rules and regulation for joining the
group, staying in the group and leaving the group. Those, who fulfill these rules
and regulations can join and engage in the activities of the group. The
membership can be cancelled if a member violates these rules.
 Examples: organizations, banks, hospitals, educational institutions, official
associations, and firms.
 Informal group
It is a group which has no prescribe rules and regulations for joining the
group, staying in the group and leaving the group. Any person can join the group,
participate in it and leave it whenever they want.
Example: a group of students sitting in the playground and gossiping with one
another.

 On the basis of structure (Dwight Sanderson)

 Voluntary group
It is a group that an individual can join or leave by his or her own choice.
Example: you can join people watching a game in the playground, you can
become a student in college.
 Involuntary group
It is a group that individual cannot join or leave by his or her own choice.
Example: a family is an involuntary group because an individual has no control
over his birth – to be born or not born in a specific family.
 Delegate group
It is a group that serve as representative of the larger number of people.
The member is either elected by the people or nominated based on certain criteria.
Example: a parliament is a delegate group as it represent the wishes and needs of
the public.
 On the basis of relation to society (George Hassen)
 Un-social group
It is a group that remains detached within a society. They do not
participate in the society and remains alone.
Examples: introvert, people with adjustment problems or psychological
anomalies.
 Pseudo-social group
It is a group that participate in the society only for their own interest and
gains.
 Anti-social group
It is a group that acts against the interest of the society. They may destroy
public property and peace.
Example: terrorist group, criminals, thieves.
 Pro-social group
It is a group of people that works for the betterment of society. They
engage in activities for the development, prosperity, and welfare of society.
Example: government and non-government organization.
General Function of Social Groups

Social group work is not an activity but a way of conducting many different activities.

Advantages of Social Group

1. Assume a protection factor

The first advantage is obvious and has to do with a very material fact: being part of a
group makes it more difficult for us to expose ourselves to dangerous situations that can end
us.

2. It provides us with role models

In addition, another advantage of being part of a group is that we are constantly exposed
to examples to follow, people who have similar characteristics and objectives to ours and
who are stimulating when orienting our actions towards a goal.

3. Strengthen our self-esteem

The feeling of belonging is one of the aspects that positively reinforce people’s self-
esteem.

4. Fight loneliness

Loneliness is one of the vital situations most related to harmful life habits and physical or
psychological illness. Therefore, the simple fact of having a community is beneficial, because
it encourages us to leave home and interact, which keeps us active and gives us reasons not to
abandon ourselves.

5. Provide us with information

Information is another resource, and belonging to a group, with the possibility of

contacting many people, is an important social capital.