# 5 Social Groups - SOCIAL GROUPS SOCIAL GROUPS • Group...

Unformatted text preview: SOCIAL GROUPS SOCIAL GROUPS • Group – People who belong together – Interact with each other – Example: coworkers at a restaurant • Aggregate – People who occupy the same space – Not connected with each other – Example: People waiting for a bus • Category – People who share characteristics – May not interact with each other – Example: COS students PRIMARY GROUP (COOLEY) PRIMARY GROUP (COOLEY) • Small in size • Intimate face-to-face association • Cooperation • Important to person’s identity • Essential to emotional well being • Examples: – Families – Close friends – Small religious groups – Intimate partners SECONDARY GROUP SECONDARY GROUP • Larger in size • More formal • More impersonal • Based on an interest or activity • May break down into primary groups • Examples: – College class – Walmart employees – Phi Theta Kappa members – Dorm residents VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATIONS VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATIONS A special type of secondary group A special type of secondary group • Usually large in size • Organize on basis of mutual interest • May be local, state, or national • Often advocate for welfare of members • Examples: – NAACP – Baptist church members – NRA – Libertarian Party – California Teachers Association • Iron law of oligarchy – Domination by a small group of people (the “elite) – Often occurs in voluntary associations – Attitudes of leaders “hidden” from members – Elected officers “chosen” informally ahead of time • Examples: – VFW – Political parties – Professional associations “IN-GROUPS” AND “OUT-GROUPS” “IN-GROUPS” AND “OUT-GROUPS” • In-group – Strong identification by members – Feeling of loyalty – Sense of superiority • Out-group – Group toward which in-group feels competition or antagonism – Considered “inferior” to the in-group – May be the victim of discrimination...
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