Primary GroupsSociology

GroupComposed of people who share several

features:Regular contactShare similar ways of thinking, feelings, and

behaviorTake one another’s behavior into accountHave one or more interests or goals in

common.

Social AggregatePeople who share a social characteristic.Ex. Concert, study center, standing in line at

lunch

Charles Horton CooleyPrimary

Interaction is directthe common bonds

are close and intimate

Relationships are warm and personal

Small group of people

SecondaryBonds are

impersonalDuration of group is

shortRelationship

involved few emotional ties.

Functions of a Primary Group1. Emotional Support2. Socialization3. Encourage conformity

Reference GroupSocial groups that provide the standards by

which we evaluate ourselves.Ex. Student is worried about how her family

will react to her grades, she is using her family as a reference group.

Ex. Parents, using other parents as a reference group.

Ex. Athletes mentally comparing themselves to other athletes.

In-Group and Out-groupIn - Group

“we” belong to this/these group(s)

A sense of loyalty“us”Examples of in-groups

are endless…. Schools, athletic teams,

racially or ethnic, sexual orientation, gender/sex, occupation, nationality, geographical region, etc….

Out – GroupGroups toward

which one feels a sense of competition or opposition.

“them”

In-groups are a.k.a. “Cliques”Do “cliques” exist at BHS?How do you know?