Module I

Social groups:
Definition, Meaning,
Characteristics and
Classification
DR. SHIVANI SINGH
 Objectives:
After studying this unit, you will be able to
 Meaning of Social Groups
 Need for Study of Social Groups
 Nature of Social Groups
 Classification of Social Groups
 Meaning and definition of Social
Group
Bottomore defines a social group “as an aggregate of individuals in which (i) Definite
relations exist between the individuals comprising it, and (ii) Each individual is conscious
of the group itself and its symbols.”
According to Maclver and Page, “social relationships involve some degree of reciprocity
between those related, some measure of mutual awareness as reflected in the attitudes of
the members of the group”. That is, the members interact with one another according to
the norms of standards accepted by the group.
 Need for Study of Social Groups
C.H. Cooley indicated the value of primary group relationship to an individual.
Human history is full of cases which indicate that the decisions of small groups have a critical effect upon the larger
society. Revolutionary movements in all countries and at all times were initiated by small groups.
Group is a medium through which “we learn culture, we use culture, and change culture”.
According to Kimball Young “small groups are a special case of the more general type of system, the social system.
They are essential micro systems of larger societies…. Through careful examination of these micro-systems,
theoretical models can be constructed and then applied to less accessible societies for further test and modification.
Small-group research is thus a means of developing effective ways of thinking about social systems in general”.
Because social pressures and peer pressure both can be found in small group, it is a convenient context where we
can observe and draw conclusions on inter-play of these pressures. And such Scientific investigations may lead to
general laws about how individuals cope with social realities”.
Nature of Social Groups
1. Mutual Awareness: A more aggregate of individuals cannot constitute a social
group unless reciprocal awareness exist among them.
2. One or more Common Interests: The individuals who form a group should
possess one or more than one common interests and ideals.
3. Sense of Unity: Each social group requires sense of unity and a feeling of
sympathy for the development of sense of belongingness.
4. We-feeling: A sense of we-feeling refers to the tendency on the part of the
members to identify themselves with the group.
Nature of Social Groups
5. Similarity of Behaviour: For the fulfillment of common interest, the
members of a group behave in a similar way.
6. Group Norms: Every group has its own ideals and norms, and the members
are supposed to follow these.
Classification of Social Groups
According to MacIver and Page, Groups are classified on the basis of:
1. Size
2. Quality of Social Interaction
3. Degree of intimacy
4. Range of group interests
5. Duration of Interests
6. Degree of Organization
Classification of Social Groups
According to Sorokin, social groups are divided into two major types:
Vertical and Horizontal
1. Vertical groups are large inclusive groups.
2. Horizontal groups are smaller divisions.
Classification of Social Groups
According to Sumner, social groups are divided into two major types:
In Group and Out Group
1. The groups with which the individual identifies himself are his in groups.
2. The groups to which the individual does not belong.
Classification of Social Groups
1. Primary Group:
The concept of the primary group was introduced by C.H. Cooley. By primary
groups he meant the intimate, personal, ‘face-to-face’ groups. For example,
our companions, the members of our family and our daily associates may
come under this category.
It is the degree of intimacy, or social distance, rather than physical distance
that determines the primary group. Relationships among primary group
members are based on personal intimacy, and not on contractual obligations.
These relationships are often long-lasting.
Primary Groups
These intimate and closely-knit groups are primary in different senses:
First, face-to- face group is the nucleus of all social organizations — “it is the
unit cell of the social structure”, MacIver and Page have described it can be
found in all societies.
Secondly, an intimate groups provides the most significant social and
psychological experience for its members.
Classification of Social Groups
These intimate and closely-knit groups are primary in different senses:
First, face-to- face group is the nucleus of all social organizations — “it is the
unit cell of the social structure”, MacIver and Page have described it can be
found in all societies.
Secondly, an intimate groups provides the most significant social and
psychological experience for its members.
These primary groups can be characterised as informal.
Classification of Social Groups
These groups are characterized by intimacy and spontaneity and, as such, the
child learns many things concerning social life—the basic values, the
prescriptive and proscriptive aspect of social norms—almost effortlessly from
these groups.
Secondly, primary group relationships are equally important for the adults.
This aspect was discovered accidentally.
Thirdly, research investigations have revealed that the task of maintaining
discipline, punctuality and morale among workers in large establishments
yields better results if one proceeds through numerous primary groups which
develop spontaneously among them.
 Secondary Groups
Personal intimacy and face-to-face relationships are altogether absent in these secondary
groups.
Today an increasing number of our relationships are secondary. One reason is that our
contacts have grown in number and variety as a result of improvements in means of
communication and transport.
The decline of the primary group and the corresponding increase of secondary groups
have one very immediate consequence.
Secondary groups are functioning units in an organization, or mere acquaintances. At best
Secondary groups may be called partial associations. This means that under such
conditions associating persons “present only special facets of themselves to one another”.
Voluntary Groups and Involuntary
Groups:
The distinction between voluntary and involuntary groups corresponds
exactly with that made between achieved and ascribed statuses. There are
some groups we join on our own. These are voluntary groups of which we
choose to become members.
There are, however, some groups of which we are members because we have
to. These are involuntary groups.
 Large Group and Small Group:
A large groups is a group comprising of a large number of members and small group a
group of limited number of members.

Strictly on the basis of the strength of membership, a group is generally classified into
categories. The first is called a dyad or a group consisting of a pair- mother and child,
a married couple, a partnership of two, etc. A dyad grows around mutual love and
similarity of interests or predilections of the pair, and hence it may break up as soon as
the motive force bringing the pair together disappears.
The second is called a triad or a group comprising three persons. The significance of a
triad is brought out by Simmel thus:
Dyad Group and Triad Group:
The first is called a dyad or a group consisting of a pair. One example is the
relationship between an employee and a boss. Two other examples of dyad
relationships include a married couple and two best friends.
The second is called a triad or a group comprising three persons. The
significance of a triad is brought out by Simmel thus: “in groups of three, the
third person ‘may act as a mediator, as a holder of the balance of power, or as a
divider who creates conflicts that destroy any sense of unity between any two of
the persons”.
Patterned and Non-Patterned
Group:
There are groups which are organized on a hierarchical principle. Ex. A football
team. Such a group is called a patterned group. There are numerous groups of
this category in every society. A group which is designed to achieve some goal
needs must be patterned.
There are some groups which are organized informally, the members having no
specific role obligations. On the contrary, they enjoy a considerable amount of
freedom within the confines of a very broad framework. There is generally no
hierarchy. Such a group is called an informal or a non-patterned group.
 Reference Group:
The concept of reference group was first developed by Hayman. Subsequently,
Turner, R.K. Merton and Sheriff elaborated it further. The concept of reference
group, as originally developed, may be explained thus: In some situations we
conform not to the norms of the groups to which we actually belong but rather to
those of the groups to which we should like to belong, those with which we would
like to be identified.
Thus, an individual who is anxious to move up the social ladder usually has
tendency to conform to the norms of etiquette and speech of a higher social class
than his own because he seeks identification with this class. By way of illustration,
we may refer to the concept of ‘sanskritization’ enunciated by Srinivas.
“Sanskritisation is the process by which a ‘low’ Hindu caste, or tribal or other
 Reference Group:
“Sanskritisation is the process by which a ‘low’ Hindu caste, or tribe or other group,
changes its customs, ritual, ideology, and way of life in the direction of a high, and
frequently, twice-born caste. Generally, such changes are followed by a claim to a
higher position in the caste hierarchy. The claim is usually made over a period of
time, in fact, two or more generations.
For members of a particular group, another group is a reference group if any of the
following circumstances prevail:
(1) When members of the first group aspire to membership in the second group, the
second group serves as the reference group of the first.
 Reference Group:
(2) When members of the first group strive to be like the members of the second
group in some respect, the second group serves as the reference group of the first.
(3) When the members of the first group derive some satisfaction from being unlike
the members of the second group in some respect, and even strive to maintain the
difference between themselves and the members of the second group, the latter
group is the reference group of the first.
(4) When, without necessarily striving to be like or unlike or to belong to the second
group, the members of the first group appraise their own group or themselves by
using the second group or its members as a standard for comparison, the second
group becomes the reference group of the first.