GROUPS AND HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS

INTRODUCTION The Sociological definition of the word ‘group’ is different from the common definition of “a number of people who congregated at the same time, in the same place”. In the context of Sociology, fifteen students who are cramming for an examination in the library are not necessarily a group. However, two or more persons who congregate together and share common goal or interest constitutes a social group. Every person seeks a sense of belonging, which is the experience of group membership. Human beings cannot survive or become social in the absence of a social group. This unit discussed in details the Sociological definition and usage of the concept ‘social groups’. The Nature of Groups Virtually everyone seeks a sense of belonging, which is the experience of group membership. Human beings come together in couples, families, circle of friends, neighbourhoods, church, clubs and large organizations whatever the form; groups contain people with shared experiences, loyalties, and interest. In short, while keeping their individuality, members of social groups also think of themselves as a special “we”. The Sociological Definition of a Group In sociological terms, a number of people are not a group, regardless of its size, goals, or origin, unless it meets the following conditions. (a) There is physical and more importantly, symbolic interaction among the members. Symbolic interaction is communication through speech, gestures, writing or even music. In this kind of communication members are aware of one another mutual awareness cause them to respond, or behave, in particular ways and thus, to influence one another. (b) Each member recognizes that he is part of the group. Conversely, the group also recognizes him as a member. (c) Members are aware of the roles, duties and obligations, as well as the privileges, resulting from group membership. In short, physical interaction alone is not sufficient to generate a group; several people in a crowded elevator are still part of an aggregate. For sociologists, symbolic interaction is the vital prerequisite for determining whether a collection of people is a group. Symbolic interaction needs not involve face-to-face communication. If relatives and friends who live at opposite points of the earth are still able to affect one another through correspondence, they remain a group. Moreover, members of a group need not be personal friends. As long as there is some kind of communication among people that results in mutual adjustment of behaviour, the people make up a group. In the sense, citizens of a nation of similar loyalties, a common history, and the sense of a common future, are considered a group. Classifications of Groups. There are an extraordinarily large number of groups and great diversity among them. Groups vary in size from two members to several hundred million (from a pair of individual to a whole society). The number of groups in every society is countless; it surpasses the member of individuals, because each individual belongs to more than one group. A researcher must therefore decide whether to categorize groups according to size, interests, duration, type of organization, quality of interaction and so on, in an infinite variety of ways. None of these classifications is right or wrong; classification depends on the purpose in examining the group. Sociological Classification of Groups (a) Primary Groups: The term primary groups refer to groups in which members engage in intimate interaction and cooperation, the influence of which is basic to the development of an individual personality. The primary groups have additional characteristics, which distinguish them from other groups. Other characteristics of primary groups i. Relatively small group size ii. Physical nearness of members iii. Intense interaction among members (they satisfy emotional needs) iv. Group stability v. Relatively long duration of group existence vi. Interaction occurs informally and spontaneously. Examples of a primary group include the family (the foremost example), clique of friends, a circle of playmates or fellow students, neighbourhood or community. (b) Secondary Groups: - These tend to be large and to exist for a short period of time. It also exhibit the following characteristics. i. Interaction among members is formal, that is it is not intimate but official ii. Interaction is based on the benefits to be derived from the group (utilitarian) iii. Interaction of members is specialized because it relates to ability to carry out specific task or responds to the required needs of members. iv. Interaction is temporary because it is tied to specific needs. v. Members interests in one another are tied to roles and functions they perform for the society. vi. The secondary groups satisfy a particular goal such as making a living or deriving personal benefit. (c) In-Groups: - These are found in situation where members have the feelings of “we”, ‘ours;, ‘us’, which provide unity within the in-group. (d) Out-Group: - These are noted when some individuals are considered outsiders to the major issues and relationship of group members. For example where emphasis is on maleness or male gender, those who are females are considered members of the out-group. Members of other race or ethnicity may be considered out-groups. (e) Reference Groups: - These are groups to which an individual aspires to belong and on which he/she patterns his behaviour. A reference group may be a political, economic, religious, ethnic, kinship, or social organization. The reference group provides a model for the individual, on which, he patterns his/her opinion, convictions and actions, and to which he/she continually compares himself/herself. (f) Membership Groups: - These are formal or informal organizations to which an individual belongs. Religious groups orfriendship clubs are examples of formal and informal membership groups. (g) Involuntary Groups: - We cannot choose the family, state, town, or nation to which we are born. We are involuntary group members of there not by individual conscious or formal choice. Young men who are drafted into the armed forces may not be able to choose their respective department. (h) Voluntary Groups: - These are groups which individuals freely join. The choice to be members may be economic, social, religious, etc. Comparison of Primary and Secondary Group Relationships Firstly, if we imagine a long, straight, horizontal line called ideal continuum, and we place primary groups on one end of this continuum, the other end will be occupied by secondary groups. Second, although some relationships may be recognized as purely primary and others as purely secondary, most relationships fall somewhere between the two extremes. Third, some primary relationship may in the course of time slide into secondary relationships and very often secondary relationships become primary ones. Fourth, rural, agricultural and simple societies are characterized by primary relationship, whereas, urban, industrial and complex societies are characterized by secondary relationships. CONCLUSION Social groups are essential for the individual and societal survival. They give identity, goals, satisfaction and focus to members. The society is a multiplicity of relationships within and between social groups. The conditions for social groups have been classified along Sociological conditions for formation of social groups. SUMMARY In this unit the nature of group and sociological definition of groups were discussed. The variability of groups by size, interest, duration and quality of interaction among others has been presented. Lastly a general comparison of primary and secondary group relationships was presented in this unit.