Social Groups

And

Social Organizations

Social group

families, companies, circles of friends, clubs, local chapters of fraternities and sororities,

and local religious congregations.

Nature of Social Groups

The group provides specific form as to the nature of interaction in the society.

Formal group

Informal group

Characteristics of Group

Group members interact on a fairly regular basis through communication

Joseph Fichter

Fichter was the author of more than 30 books and reports on sociological studies.

Fichter joined Loyola in 1947 as chairman of the sociology department. He reached emeritus status as professor of sociology in 1982 and continued to teach into the current academic year.

Classification of Group

Primary Group

O Basic Characteristics:a. personal and intimate relationshipb. face-to-face communicationc. permanenced. a strong sense of loyalty or “we” feelingse. small in sizef. informalityg. traditional or non-rational decision-making

Examples: Families, Gangs, Cliques, Play Groups, Friendship Groups

Charles Horton Cooley

The concept of the primary group was introduced by Charles Cooley, a sociologist from the Chicago School of sociology, in his book Social Organization: A Study of the Larger Mind (1909)

Secondary Groups

O Characteristics:a. relationship is personal, aloofb. communication is indirectc. duration is temporaryd. group cohesiveness is weak and are based on self-

intereste. decisions are based on rationality and rulesf. structure is formalg. group boundaries

Examples: Industrial Workers; business associates, Faculty Staff,

Company Employees

William Graham Sumner

developed the concepts of

“in-group” and “out-group”

IN-GROUP

OUT-GROUP

Importance of Group

A group is a major source of solidarity and cohesion.

Processes of Human Interaction

Cooperation

Competition

Conflict