Social Groups play an important role in the development of society social structure. Mostly, individuals interact with each other within the group and their behaviors are influenced by the norms, values and beliefs of the group. Which help the individuals to meet the expectation of a group associated with their social role. Sociologists have made vital differentiations amongst the types of groups, which are as follow. Primary and secondary groups, reference groups, coalition groups, in-groups and out-groups and formal and non-formal groups.
Primary and Secondary Groups
The term primary group is coined by C.H Cooley in his book “social organization”. According to C.H Cooley, primary group is a small group, the characteristics of primary group is intimate face to face association and cooperation. Members of Street gang, family members living under same roof and students sharing a same room in hostel, can be considered as the primary groups. According to MacIver and Page, collection of individuals who are in relationship with each other is called primary group. It is called primary because the members of the group are emotionally attached with one another. They share the similar ways of life and interests. Family, close childhood friends and love relationships are the example of primary group. Individuals’ emotions, ideas, habits and beliefs develop in primary group.
The concept of secondary group was given by Maciver. Secondary groups are large in size and there is no intimate relationship amongst the individuals. The interaction among members is completely contractual and impersonal. Workplace and large educational institution are the examples of secondary group. In school teacher and student do interact but their relationship is solely based on teaching and learning. Therefore, it can be said that the relationship is merely mean to an end. Work place is another example of secondary group. Employees working in an organization interact with one another frequently but their relationship purpose is just to achieve the organizational goal.
In-group and Out-group
Individual feeling of belongingness to a group is known as in-group. Out-group is a group to which an individual does not belong or the group other than his own. Members of in-group may feel threaten from out-group, furthermore, they may not agree with the ideology of the group or may be because the other group is different from their group culturally or racially. The size of the group can be as narrow as teenager’s football team or as wide as entire society. This “we and they feeling” between the groups are termed by William Graham Sumner in 1960 as in-group and out-group. For example if there is cricket match between Pakistan and India and India wins, to which Indians will say, we won the match and they lost. However, Pakistanis will say, we lost and they won. Therefore, for Indians, Pakistan is out-group and for Pakistanis India is out group. This relationship may exist between two states, teams, political organizations, ethnic groups and business organizations.
Reference Groups
Primary group and in-group have impact on the behavior of an individual. The group an individual sees as a criterion for evaluating himself and his behavior is known as reference group. If an individual is inspired from street gang and wants to become a part of it. He will dress like them, try to behave like them and hangout where the gang do. If a person is inspired from a book club and he wants to join it. He will start reading the books which the members of book club is reading and will show interest in their discussion and take part in their discussions. Reference groups provide normative function by formulating and enforcing code of conduct. To get an approval of a group an individual have to follow the dictates of a group. Another function of reference group is comparison function. An actor will compare himself with the members of reference group (group of actors).
Coalition Groups
Groups make alliance with other groups as it grows larger, for similar purpose or objective. Coalition groups can be narrow and broad. NATO is the best example of coalition groups, alliance of 29 country for the security of European countries, against the soviet aggression and other external threat.
Formal and Non-Formal Groups
Formal groups has a pre-defined criteria of membership. Those who meet the criteria can become the member of the group. Such groups have code of conduct and there is penalty on violating the rules. UNO, New development bank, SOC, SAARC and EU are some examples of broad formal groups. School can be categorized as the narrow formal group.
Informal groups do not have any criteria for the membership. Anyone can join it anytime without meeting any standards. There is no rules and regulation in the non-formal groups. People in bar watching football match comes under the category of non-formal group. It does not require membership anyone can come, drink and watch game.