Social Group, it's Characteristics and Classification

 

Social Group

It is the collection of individuals with common interest binding them. In other words, it is the set of people who involve in more or less permanent social interactions and relationship.

Characteristics of Social Group:

a.      It has two or more people.

b.     It satisfies the wants of member.

c.      It is a voluntary organization.

d.     It has goals.

e.      It has sense of feeling.

f.       It has norms and regulations.

Classification of Social Group

1.     Primary Group

It is defined as tow or more person behaving in relation to each other in a way that is intimate, cohesive and personal.

Characteristics of Primary Group:

a.      There is face to face interaction among group members.

b.     It has high sentiment or loyalty.

c.      There is identification and close cooperation among members.

d.     There is high level of emotional and spiritual satisfaction derived from involvement.

e.      It is often small in size.

2.     Secondary Group

It is defined as the two or more person with less cooperation and sentiment.

Characteristics:

a.      There is little or no emotional involvement.

b.     It is more competitive than cooperative.

c.      Members are less intimate.

d.     Group identity is less relevant.

e.      Economic efficiency is given more emphasis than psychological identity.

Difference between Primary Group and Secondary Group

Primary Group	Secondary Group
It is often small in size.	It is often large in size.
It has limited membership.	It has unlimited membership.
There is presence of high sentiment or loyalty.	There may or may not be presence of sentiment or loyalty.
Group identity is relevant among members.	Group identity is less relevant among members.
There is presence of more cooperation than competition.	There is presence of more competition than cooperation.