Module 4. Group and leadership

 

Lesson 13

GROUPS – CONCEPTS AND TYPES

13.1  Introduction

From the birth to death an individual associates with groups in some ways or other. Group influences his attitudes, thinking and behaviour throughout his life.

A group consists of two or more people who interact with one another and recognize themselves as a distinct social unit. The definition is simple enough, but it has significant implications. Frequent interaction leads people to share values and beliefs. This similarity and the interaction cause them to identify with one another. Identification and attachment, in turn, stimulate more frequent and intense interaction. Each group maintains solidarity with all other groups and other types of social systems. Groups are among the most stable and enduring social units. They are important both to their members and to the society at large. Through encouraging regular and predictable behaviour, groups form the foundation upon which society rests. Thus, a family, a village, a political party, a trade union, etc. are the examples of group.

13.2 Definition

A group is a unit of two or more people in reciprocal interaction or communication with each other. Certain premises, or considerations and characteristics basic to understanding of the concept of groups are as follows:

·        Groups do not form by mere plurality of numbers. Communication and interaction is essential. Two persons can be physically close to one another, in fact seated next to each other and yet not form a group. On the other hand, two other persons, living miles apart, talking to each other over telephone may form a group and of, perhaps, sharing a very intimate kind of relationship. The difference is in terms of interaction and communication.

·        While communication and interaction are essential, it must be reciprocal. One-way communication does not constitute group interaction. People in a group must influence each other on the psychological plane, although the influence may not be equal. Further, this communication need not be face-to-face, but it may be through telephone, letter, radio or other suitable communication media like internet. Physical proximity, then, is not a determining factor in group formation.

·        Groups may be long-lived or of brief duration. They exist only as long as there is reciprocal psychological interaction. Groups cease to exist when active relations between the minds of the two groups and organizations comprise a basic part of virtually every arena of modern life.

Similarly, a social group is a collection of people who interact with each other and share similar characteristics and a sense of unity. At the same time, a social category is a collection of people who do not interact but who share similar characteristics. For example, women, men, the elderly, and high school students all constitute social categories. A social category can become a social group when the members in the category interact with each other and identify themselves as members of the group.

A social aggregate is a collection of people who are in the same place, but who do not interact or share specific characteristics.

Fig. 13.1 Widening group contact

13.2.1  In-groups, out-groups, and reference groups

In Group: An in-group is a social unit an individual belongs to, interacts with, and shares a sense of “we-ness” with.

Out Group: An out-group, on the other hand, is a social unit or group of people that an individual neither belongs to nor identifies with. The construction and maintenance of boundaries (physical or symbolic) are the primary ways by which groups establish what it means to be “in” and, by contrast, what it means to be “out.”

To some extent, every social group creates boundaries between itself and other groups, but a cohesive in-group typically has three characteristics:

Reference Group: A reference group is a concept referring to a group to which an individual or another group is compared. Sociologists call any group that individuals use as a standard for evaluating themselves and their own behavior a reference group.

13.2.2  Primary and secondary groups

Groups play a basic role in the development of the social nature and ideals of people. Primary groups are those in which individuals intimately interact and cooperate over a long period of time. Examples of primary groups are families, friends, peers, neighbors, classmates, sororities, fraternities, and church members. These groups are marked by primary relationships in which communication is informal. Members of primary groups have strong emotional ties. They also relate to one another as whole and unique individuals.

In contrast, secondary groups are those in which individuals do not interact much. Members of secondary groups are less personal or emotional than those of primary groups. These groups are marked by secondary relationships in which communication is formal. Members of secondary groups may not know each other or have much face-to-face interaction. They tend to relate to others only in particular roles and for practical reasons. An example of a secondary relationship is that of a producer/seller and consumer.

Primary relationships are most common in small and traditional societies, while secondary relationships are the norm in large and industrial societies. Because secondary relationships often result in loneliness and isolation, some members of society may attempt to create primary relationships through interactions among fellow members. This does not mean, however, that secondary relationships are bad.

Table 13.1 Difference between primary and secondary group

Sl. No.

Primary Groups

Secondary Groups

1

Small size (often less than 20 or 30 persons)

 Large size

2

Personal and intimate relationships among members

 Impersonal and aloof relationships among members

3

More face-to-face communication

Less face-to-face communication

4

Permanency in nature

Temporary in nature

5

Members are well-acquainted and have a strong sense of loyalty' or "we" feeling; a strong amount of group pressure is present

Members are not well-acquainted and anonymity prevails

6

Informality is most common; the group usually does not have a name, offices or a regular meeting place

Formality prevails. Group often has a name, offices, and a regular meeting place

7

Group decisions are more traditional and non-rational

Group decisions are more rational and the emphasis is on efficiency

In urban societies, secondary relationships are more as compared to the rural society. Primary groups like friends and relatives, directly influence the behaviour of the individual. The impersonal nature of relationship in the secondary group makes up for the absence of the bondage which the primary relations have.

13.2.3  Formal and informal groups

This is a classification of groups according to the mode of organization and functioning of the group.

Formal groups: As the name indicates the formal groups have procedures of functioning. These groups have: a name or title; selected and titled officers; a written purpose and; a regular, common, meeting time and place. The formal groups such as village councils, farmer’s societies and school committees have definite rules of operation.

Informal groups: Informal groups like friends, group of a neighborhood do not have any such characteristics. There is no organization or rules. The members have maximum freedom to think and act.

The more people who join a group, the less personal and intimate that group becomes. In other words, as the group increase in size, its members participate and cooperate less, and are more likely to be dissatisfied. A larger group's members may even be inhibited, for example, from publicly helping out victims in an emergency. In this case, people may feel that because so many others are available to help, responsibility to help is shifted to others. Similarly, as the group increases in size, its members are more likely to engage in ‘social loafing’, in which people work less because they expect others to take over their tasks.