SOCIAL GROUPSANDSOCIETIES

Definition & NatureSocial Groups

In the social sciences a social group has been defined as two or more humans who interact with one another, share similar characteristics and collectively have a sense of unity.Researchers within the social identity tradition generally define it as “a group is defined in terms of those identity themselves as member of the group.Social groups come in a myriad of sizes and varieties.

Definition & Nature SOCIETY

The community of people living in a particular region and having shared customs, laws, and organizations.

A group of people related to each other through persistent relationship such as social status, role, network etc.

The word ‘society’ is derived from French word ‘societe’ which means fellowship.

Definition & NatureNature of Societies Professional Societies These societies are promoted by the professionals to

enhance their profession and bring out a common code of conduct.

These societies are also termed as associations.

Charitable Societies These are non profit organizations to help the needy

persons of the society.

Definition & NatureNature of Societies Economic Co-operative Societies includes many societies like housing, agro processing,

credit, marketing etc which help their members in a particular trade , either through their own resources or from the government

Religious And Cultural Societies These societies are formed to revive and maintain

specific cultures, traditions, and religious foundations.

Structure of Social GroupsSocial Structure: Social structure is the organized pattern of

social relationships and social institutions that together compose society. Social structures are not immediately visible to the untrained observer; however they are present and affect all dimensions of human experience in society.

Structure of Social GroupsComponents of Social Structure:

Status – refers to a position in the social structure. Each person possesses several statuses, age, sex , race, occupation, nationality etc.

Examples are:Master Status – this is the basic one in giving you a sense of who you are.Ascribed status – this one has been assigned or given to us and we can’t change it.Achieved Status – it is earned by us; ex. Doctor, Lawyer, college graduate, etc.

Structure of Social GroupsComponents of Social Structure:

Roles – are socially prescribed way of acting in a particular status.

Example of Roles:Role set – Each status usually has several roles attached to it.Role model – a person who occupies a status and plays the roles associated with the status in way that we would like to play them.Role expectations – social norms that define how a role should be played.Role performance – actual role behaviour; how we actually play the roles we have.

Structure of Social GroupsComponents of Social Structure: Groups - is a number of people who interact together

in an orderly way on the basis of shared expectations about each other’s behaviour.

Example of Groups:Primary Groups – small number of people who interact over a relatively long period of time on an intimate. Face-to-face basis.Secondary Groups – large number of people who interact on a temporary and impersonal basis.

Structure of Social GroupsComponents of Social Structure: Association & Institutions:Associations – is any organized group, large or small that has structure, continuity, identity.

Institution – is a stable cluster of values, norms, statuses, roles and groups that develops around a basic social need.

Types of Social Groups Primary Group: The primary group is very

important to the development of the human as a social being. It is the locus of our socialization.

Secondary Group: The secondary group reflects characteristics that are the opposite of the above. It is large, formal and impersonal group that does not display social intimacy.

Types of Social Groups In-groups and Out-groups: (This concept was

first developed by William Graham Sumner when he spoke of "we" and "they" feelings. The "in-group" is the group that we belong to (or feel that we belong to). The "out group" is one that we feel we don't belong to, (and act as if we wouldn't want to belong).

Reference Groups: A reference group is any group of people that individuals use as a standard for evaluating themselves and their own behavior (Schaefer).

Types of Social Groups Categorical group: Member of this group

share particular characteristics and a common identity.

Aggregate group: An aggregate is any collection of people who are together in one place without interacting with one another.

Types of Social Groups Collective groups: These are temporary

groups which are not generally governed by established norms of the culture and are composed of people who share some kind of belief which motivates them to prepare for action.

Association groups: This group is composed of people who join together in an organized manner to pursue a common interest.

Group Dynamics

Group Dynamics is a system of behaviours and psychological processes occurring within a social group (intragroup dynamics) or between social groups (intergroup dynamics)

Group Dynamics

INTRAGROUP DYNAMICS (also referred to as in-group or within-group)

Are the underlying processes that give rise to a set of norms, roles, relations and common goals that characterize a particular social group.

Amongst the members of the group, there is a state of interdependence.

Group Dynamics

INTERGROUP DYNAMICS Refers to the behavioural and psychological relationships

between two or more groups.

This includes perceptions, attitudes, opinions, and behaviours towards one’s own group as well as those another group.

Transformation of Societies

Social transformation refers to the process of change in values, norms, institutionalized relationships, and stratification hierarchies over time. It affects patterns of interaction and insti tutional arrangements within a society.

Transformation of SocietiesStages of Social Transformation:

1. Forming: The individual’s or organizational behavior is driven by the need to take part in the markets of conversations.

2. Storming: Every group will next enter the storming stage in which different ideas compete for consideration. The group addresses issues such as how social media can create or find solutions to relevant problems

Transformation of SocietiesStages of Social Transformation:

3. Norming: In this stage, all group members knowledge domain grows and the group begins to comprehend ways it which social media can be used to accomplish specific goals.4. Performing: Some groups reach the performing stage. These groups are able to create meaningful and significant change using social technology as the means to create innovation.

Transformation of SocietiesStages of Social Transformation:

5. Transformation: Even the most high-performing groups will revert to earlier stages in certain circumstances. Many long-standing groups go through these cycles many times as they react to changing developments.

Thank you for Listening!