Social group
A social group is defined as any collection of two or more individuals engaged in some form of interaction, whether it be for personal or professional reasons. These groups are typically bound by shared norms and values, creating a common sense of expectations among members. Social groups can vary in duration, with individuals often belonging to multiple groups simultaneously. Within the study of social groups, two main types are recognized: primary groups, which are characterized by close, intimate relationships, and secondary groups, which are more formal and task-oriented. Primary groups, such as families or close friends, play a crucial role in shaping identity and fostering emotional connections. Conversely, secondary groups include organizations or teams that gather for specific goals and may lack lasting bonds. Additionally, reference groups serve as a comparative benchmark for individuals assessing their own experiences and achievements. The sense of belonging and acceptance within social groups is fundamental, providing members with security and a feeling of connection, while exclusion can lead to feelings of rejection. The dynamics of social groups are increasingly influenced by digital interactions, as social media creates new platforms for group formation and engagement.
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Subject Terms
Social group
A social group is determined as any set of two or more human beings who either are, recently have been, or anticipate being in some kind of interaction. The interaction taking place is generally referred to as a social interaction, whether this is for personal, professional, or other reasons. A social group is usually guided by a similar set of norms or values. The people forming the group may have a common sense of expectations. The length of time they remain within the group may differ depending on the unique set of circumstances; however, in order for it to be considered a social group, there is an understanding of the maintenance of a relationship for a particular time duration. An individual can often be part of a number of social groups simultaneously.
Brief History
Studying social groups falls primarily within the realm of sociology and may also be related to the field of psychology. There are two dominant types of groups: primary and secondary groups. Each has a specific reference point and bears greater or lesser significance for the person belonging to the particular group. The concept of the primary group was developed by Charles Horton Cooley (1864-1929) in 1899 and expanded in 1902. He intended to raise awareness of the importance of primary groups, traditional values, and the opportunity of maintaining social cohesion.
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Abraham Maslow (1908-70), a humanist psychologist, introduced his concept of a hierarchy of needs in 1943. Maslow's hierarchy, often depicted as a pyramid, has significance with regard to social groups and the meeting of needs. The five main categories include physiological needs, love and belonging, self-esteem, self-actualization, and safety.
The desire to belong leads to the pull toward being part of a social group. Children and adults gravitate toward a group, whether it is in the playground, gym, school, work, or other opportunities, offering the individual to be connected to something and someone. The acquisition of habits and values comes about largely from the social group. Depending on the primacy of the group, the influence or acquisition of these values and traits may be more or less profound.
There is also the notion of an "in" or "out" group. The "in group" acts as a type of social group where the individual belonging to the group identifies with the group as a full-fledged member. The "out group" is a social group with which the individual does not have a feeling of identification.
The proliferation of social media in the digital age has resulted in a new set of social groups, via social media networks. Interactions through social media such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, or other digital applications are examples of such groups. Individuals may set up a social group; there may also be additionally interconnected groups formed between professional or other socially active sets of groups.
Overview
The main categories of social groups are primary and secondary groups. Reference groups are a further category associated with social groups.
Primary Groups. Primary groups are, as the name suggests, the main and most important social group for a person. The level of intimacy in this group is the highest. Commitment is a significant factor of the primary group. Members of a primary group are in close proximity on a regular basis, with face-to-face contact an obvious characteristic. This group creates a sense of belonging, and there is, therefore, considerable security attached to this type of group. The primary group is at the core of the building of identity. Each member of the primary group is bonded by this belonging and identity. There is an emotional feeling or feelings of connection and togetherness. A family is the main category of primary groups. The family as a primary group is joined by virtue of birth, marriage, or heritage. A group of very close friends might also be classified as a primary group.
Secondary Groups. Secondary groups present a less emotionally intimate type of social group. The formation of the group is not as personal as the primary group. The level of formality is greater than the informality prevalent in the primary group. A further characteristic of the secondary group is that the times of meeting do not necessarily occur very often. Meetings may be sporadic and not last for a significant time period. Commitment may or may not be present. A sense of belonging may be experienced, yet this is generally only for the duration of the group being together. Although there may be thoughts of the group experience, the group, in effect, terminates at a certain time. Identity is, therefore, not perceived as being connected to the group on a lasting basis, though a sense of identity may be felt for the period the group is together. A secondary group is usually bound by a specific task or goal that the group has come together to perform or achieve. This is not the case with a primary group that is joined together for other reasons. An organization is an example of a secondary group, with its set of organizational culture norms and values.
Reference Groups. A reference group is the terminology used for a group to which an individual belongs (though does not have to have membership in) that they use as a reference point. The reference group acts as a comparative function for the purpose of self-evaluation. Society is set up in such a way that the notion of comparisons is a normative process. Both primary and secondary groups are possible sources of reference groups. This may entail comparing oneself to other members of one's family, close friends, or work colleagues to assess levels of progress or success. Standards are assessed accordingly.
Acceptance. Feeling a sense of belonging and acceptance is essential to the social group phenomenon. Being a member of a group allows one to feel protected, and acceptance is part of that safety and security. The opposite pole of acceptance is that of rejection, which can also be evoked within the social group setting when someone is excluded from the group.
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