Are secondary groups that are formally organized to achieve specific goals An example is A?

Do we act differently in big groups compared to small ones? Why and how do large organizations become inefficient? What are the various styles of leadership and what effect do they have?

These are just a few of the questions regarding social groups and organizations that sociology is interested in.

• We will be looking at the significance of social groups and organizations.
• We will understand the definition of social groups and examine the different types of social groups.
• We will go through examples and characteristics of social groups, focusing on group size, structure, and leadership.
• Finally, we will study formal organizations, including bureaucracies.

Why Study Social Groups and Social Organizations?

Social groups are crucial to the transmission of culture in society. Due to this, studying them has become an essential component of sociological research. When we interact with others in our groups, we impart our ways of thinking and acting - from language and values to styles, preferences, and recreational pursuits.

Groups can also comprise formal social organizations, which have specific and varied impacts on society and culture.

Let's now dive into the study of social groups and organizations, focusing on social groups before moving onto organizations.

Definition of Social Groups

First things first, let's clarify what we mean by 'groups'.

In sociology, agroup refers to "any number of people with similar norms, values, and expectations who interact with one another on a regular basis."1

The crucial aspect is that members of a group must share some feeling of unity. This trait separates groups from aggregates, which aresimple collections of individuals, such as people who are on public transport at the same time. This also separates groups from categories - people who operate independently but have something in common, like being born in the same year.

Types of Social Groups

Sociologists recognize several differences between various types of groups in society.

Primary and Secondary Groups

The term 'primary group' was first used by Charles Horton Cooley in 1902 to

refer to a small group that is characterized by close-knit cooperation and association between members.

Primary groups can be very impactful in a person's daily life. This is because they perform an expressive, i.e. emotional, function for us.Both the process of socialization and the formation of roles and statuses depend heavily on primary groups.

A 'secondary group', on the other hand, is a formal, impersonal group with little social connection or understanding among its members. They serve an instrumental function, meaning that they tend to be goal-oriented. Secondary groups tend to form in spaces where people have a shared understanding, but minimal personal interaction.

However, the distinction between primary and secondary groups is not always clear, and sometimes a primary group can become a secondary group (and vice versa).

In-groups and Out-groups

Sometimes, a group's connections to other groups might give it additional significance for its members. This is what forms the basis of in-groups and out-groups.

• Any group or category that people believe they belong to is considered an in-group. In other words, it includes everyone who is referred to as "we" or "us."

• The presence of an in-group necessitates the existence of an out-group, which is a group or category to which people believe they do not belong. Out-groups are perceived as "they" or "them."

In-groups are often marked by a sense of importance and superiority from those who are not a part of the group, i.e. out-groups. Members of in-groups feel their behaviors, values, attitudes, etc. are not only better than but also unsuitable for the out-group.

Reference Groups

A 'reference group' is any group people view as a benchmark for assessing themselves and their behavior. By establishing and enforcing morals, norms, and codes of conduct, reference groups serve a normative purpose.

Reference groups also serve as a baseline by which individuals can judge each another, serving as a tool for comparison.

Examples of Social Groups

Let's now look at examples of all the different types of groups we explored above:

• The primary group is typically made up of significant others -people who have the greatest influence on how we socialize. The family is therefore the most relevant example of a primary group.

• Since secondary groups typically arise when people have a common understanding, but little intimacy; classrooms or offices can serve as examples of secondary groups.

• Examples of in-groups and out-groups include sports teams, unions, and sororities; individuals might be a part of any of these groups or consider themselves outsiders.

• Peer groups act as typical reference groups in American society. Children and adults alike watch what their friends wear, like, watch/listen, and do in their free time. They then compare themselves to what they observe.

While belonging to a group can be neutral or even advantageous, it should be noted that the idea of in-groups and out-groups can also help to explain some undesirable aspects of human behavior, such as bigotry against other groups due to their ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, etc.

Characteristics of Social Groups: Group Size and Structure

Characteristics of social groups include group size and structure. Group size and structure are important because, even in tiny ranges, the composition of the group can radically change its dynamics. This is because when a group's size increases, so may the position of both its leaders and non-leader members.

Group Leadership

Formal leaders are uncommon in primary groups, although informal leadership may exist. There are two different leadership functions in secondary groups: expressive leaders, who prioritize emotional well-being, and instrumental leaders, who prioritize results.

A strict teacher or CEO of a company typically acts as an instrumental leader. On the other hand, the director of a youth program or a religious leader may be an expressive leader.

Additionally, there are various leadership styles, including democratic, authoritarian, and laissez-faire.

Dyads and Triads

A small group is usually defined as a collection of individuals who are close enough to one another to interact at the same time. Georg Simmel (1902) differentiated between two types of small groups: dyads and triads.

The dyad, or two-member group, is the most basic of all social groups or partnerships. Adding one more person to a dyad drastically changes the dynamics of the small group. The dyad expands to a triad of three people.

Group Conformity

The degree to which someone complies is their level of conformity with expectations or group norms. As you may remember, reference groups are used to evaluate and understand how to act, think, behave, present oneself, etc.

Numerous studies have demonstrated how powerful the desire to fit in with reference groups can be. Real-life experiments by Solomon Asch (1956) and Stanley Milgram (1962) show how conformity and obedience can push people to act in morally and ethically questionable ways.

Asch's (1956) experiment showed that people in a group are much more likely to respond with an incorrect answer to a question (that they know is incorrect) if a significant number of others choose the wrong answer. He discovered that people easily give up what they know is right in order to conform.

In his infamous Milgram Experiment, Milgram's (1962) research participants were shown to be overwhelmingly willing to carry out activities that directly contradicted their consciences if ordered to do so. In the experiment, participants were willing to shock those who gave incorrect answers with harsh or even fatal electric shocks.

Formal Organizations

Aformal organizationis a group created for a specific goal and systematized for the highest efficiency.

According to sociologist Amitai Etzioni (1975), formal organizations can be divided into three types:

• Normative organizations are built on common interests and are often known as voluntary groups. Examples of such organizations that people choose to join are charities and book/sports clubs.

• We have to be forced or pressured into joining coercive organizations. Rehabilitation centers and prisons/corrections centers are good examples.

• The third category consists of utilitarian organizations, which, as their name implies, are joined to receive a particular material benefit. For instance, people may go to graduate school or work at a corporation.

Bureaucracy as a Formal Organization

A bureaucracy is a formal organization distinguished by impersonality, a hierarchy of power, clear rules, and a distinct division of labor. Bureaucracies are an ideal kind of formal organization. 'Ideal' in the sociological context refers to a broad model that represents a set of features, in this example those listed by Max Weber (1922).

They are designed to increase efficiency, guarantee equal opportunity, and ensure that the majority of people can be served. A strict division of labor and rigid adherence to rules might, however, cause an organization to 'lag' behind the times.

We have further, separate articles on all of the topics mentioned here. Check these out if you want more detail!

Social Groups - Key takeaways

• Social groups are crucial to the transmission of culture in society. Due to this, studying them has become an essential component of sociological research. In sociology, agroup refers to "any number of people with similar norms, values, and expectations who interact with one another on a regular basis."
• Sociologists recognize several differences between various types of groups in society. There are primary, secondary, in-groups, out-groups, and reference groups.
• Group size and structure are important because, even in tiny ranges, the composition of the group can radically change its dynamics. Leadership, dyads and triads, and group conformity are important to consider.
• Aformal organizationis a group created for a specific goal and systematized for the highest efficiency. There are three different types of formal organizations: normative, coercive, and utilitarian.
• A bureaucracy is a formal organization distinguished by impersonality, a hierarchy of power, clear rules, and a distinct division of labor.Bureaucracies are an ideal kind of formal organization.

References

1. Schaefer, R. T. (2010). Sociology: A brief introduction 12th edition. MCGRAW-HILL US HIGHER ED.

Q. What is an example of a social group?

A. An example of a social group is one's friend group, which is a type of primary group.

Q. What are the types of social groups?

A. Types of social groups include primary and secondary groups, in-groups and out-groups, and reference groups.

Q. What are social groups?

A. In sociology, agroup refers to "any number of people with similar norms, values, and expectations who interact with one another on a regular basis." (Schaefer, 2010).

Q. What is the difference between social groups and social organizations?

A. A social group refers to a group of people with shared characteristics who interact regularly. A formal social organization, on the other hand, is a group created for a specific goal and systematized for the highest efficiency.

Q. What are the characteristics of social groups?

A. Different social groups have different characteristics, but a crucial aspect of all of them is that members of a group must share some feeling of unity.

Frequently Asked Questions about Social Groups

An example of a social group is one's friend group, which is a type of primary group. 

Types of social groups include primary and secondary groups, in-groups and out-groups, and reference groups. 

 In sociology, a group refers to "any number of people with similar norms, values, and expectations who interact with one another on a regular basis." (Schaefer, 2010). 

 A social group refers to a group of people with shared characteristics who interact regularly. A formal social organization, on the other hand, is a group created for a specific goal and systematized for the highest efficiency. 

Different social groups have different characteristics, but a crucial aspect of all of them is that members of a group must share some feeling of unity. 

Final Social Groups Quiz

Question

What are some questions regarding social groups and organizations that sociologists may consider?

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Answer

Do we act differently in big groups compared to small ones? Why and how do large organizations become inefficient? What are the various styles of leadership and what effect do they have?

Show question

Question

Define social groups in sociology.

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Answer

In sociology, a group refers to "any number of people with similar norms, values, and expectations who interact with one another on a regular basis."

Show question

Question

Fill in the blanks: The crucial aspect is that members of a group must share some feeling of _____. This trait separates groups from _____, which are simple collections of individuals, such as people who are on public transport at the same time. This also separates groups from _____ - people who operate independently but have something in common, like being born in the same year.

Show answer

Answer

Unity, aggregates, categories.

Show question

Question

Who first coined the term 'primary group'?

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Question

Primary groups perform an expressive function, while secondary groups serve an instrumental function. True or false?

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Question

What do we mean by in-groups and out-groups?

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Answer

Any group or category that people believe they belong to is considered an in-group. In other words, it includes everyone who is referred to as "we" or "us."

The presence of an in-group necessitates the existence of an out-group, which is a group or category to which people believe they do not belong. Out-groups are perceived as "they" or "them."

Show question

Question

Finish the sentence: In-groups are often marked by a sense of importance and...

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Answer

Superiority from those who are not a part of the group, i.e. out-groups. 

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Answer

A 'reference group' is any group people view as a benchmark for assessing themselves and their behavior. 

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Question

List some examples of in-groups and out-groups.

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Answer

Examples of in-groups and out-groups include sports teams, unions, and sororities; individuals might be a part of any of these groups or consider themselves outsiders.

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Question

What are some examples of primary and secondary groups?

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Answer

• The primary group is typically made up of significant others - people who have the greatest influence on how we socialize. The family is therefore the most relevant example of a primary group.

• Since secondary groups typically arise when people have a common understanding, but little intimacy,  classrooms or offices can serve as examples.

Show question

Question

Formal leaders are common in primary groups, while informal leadership is less common. True or false?

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Question

What is the difference between dyads and triads?

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Answer

The dyad, or two-member group, is the most basic of all social groups or partnerships. Adding one more person to a dyad drastically changes the dynamics of the small group. The dyad expands to a triad of three people.

Show question

Question

Provide some real-life examples of the issues with group conformity.

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Answer

Asch's (1956) experiment showed that people in a group are much more likely to respond with an incorrect answer to a question (that they know is incorrect) if a significant number of others choose the wrong answer. He discovered that people easily give up what they know is right in order to conform.

In his infamous Milgram Experiment, Milgram's (1962) research participants were shown to be overwhelmingly willing to carry out activities that directly contradicted their consciences if ordered to do so. In the experiment, participants were willing to shock those who gave incorrect answers with harsh or even fatal electric shocks.

Show question

Question

List the three types of formal organizations.

Show answer

Answer

• Normative organizations are built on common interests and are often known as voluntary groups. Examples of such organizations that people choose to join are charities and book/sports clubs.

• We have to be forced or pressured into joining coercive organizations. Rehabilitation centers and prisons/corrections centers are good examples.

• The third category consists of utilitarian organizations, which, as their name implies, are joined to receive a particular material benefit. For instance, people may go to graduate school or work at a corporation.

Show question

Question

Fill in the blanks: A bureaucracy is a formal organization distinguished by ____, a hierarchy of ____, clear ____, and a distinct division of ____. 

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Answer

Impersonality, power, rules, labor.

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Question

What is the study of bureaucracies in sociology set in the context of?

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Answer

The study of bureaucracies in sociology is set in the context of formal organizations and how they operate, as bureaucracies are a type of formal organization. 

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Question

Define a formal organization.

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Answer

A formal organization is "an impersonal organization that is typically large and highly structured, formed to achieve explicit long-term objectives and designed to maximize efficiency."

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What are formal organizations designed to do?

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Answer

They are designed to manage large-scale operations.

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Question

How many categories of formal organizations are there? Name them.

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Answer

According to sociologist Amitai Etzioni (1975), there are three categories of formal organizations. These are:

1. Normative or voluntary organizations

2. Coercive organizations

3. Utilitarian organizations

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Answer

A bureaucracy is a type of formal organization which utilizes rule and hierarchy to achieve its goals efficiently.

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Question

How many bureaucracies does the US government have?

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Question

What are formal bureaucracies?

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Answer

Formal bureaucracies contain rules that are explicitly written, laid out and enforced by the organization. There is little room for flexibility as they follow a hierarchical structure and are rigidly followed.

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What are informal bureaucracies?

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Answer

Informal bureaucracies don't have a formalized set of rules and instead operate through agreements between those who work together. These agreements may include unwritten, unofficial norms about decision-making and information sharing.

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Question

Weber characterized a bureaucracy as having five main principles. What are these?

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Answer

1. Division of labor and task specialization
2. Hierarchy of authority
3. Written rules, regulations and requirements
4. Impersonality
5. Meritocracy

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The five principles form the 'best' or 'most preferred' type of bureaucracy. True or false?

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Question

Describe the principle of division of labor and task specialization.

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Answer

A key principle of bureaucracies is that everyone has their own job to do, and they only do that job. The division of labor is clear, and tasks are specialized according to individuals' jobs. By doing this, people can do their job with the highest level of efficiency and become skilled at what they do.

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Question

What is the role of impersonality in bureaucracies?

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Answer

Impersonality in bureaucracies ensures that there are no personal feelings in professional situations and/or decision-making. This means that members of a bureaucracy carry out their jobs without giving personal attention or consideration to individuals. 

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Question

What does sine ira et studio mean?

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Answer

"Without hatred or passion".

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Question

List some benefits of bureaucracies.

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Answer

• Bureaucracies are designed to increase efficiency.

• They ensure equal work opportunities by serving as many people as possible.

• Hierarchies can provide structure and certainty, as upper management can control and make any changes deemed necessary.

• The official nature of rules and protocols ensures consistent and efficient work by employees.

• For large organizations, bureaucracies allow for relatively easy decision-making and resource allocation.

• The specialization of tasks ensures that everyone knows what is in the scope of their job, and that they can become good at it.

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Question

What is a criticism of impersonality?

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Answer

Some argue that impersonality has led to large bureaucracies appearing as cold, mechanical and uncaring towards individuals, communities and other businesses.

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Question

According to Michels (1911), how are all large organizations characterized?

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Answer

The Iron Rule of Oligarchy.

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Question

Name an alternative way of looking at bureaucratic dynamics.

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Answer

One way is using the human relations approach. This approach looks at people, communication, and the workers' job satisfaction.

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Question

What is a criticism of Max Weber's principles of bureaucracies?

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Answer

Max Weber's principles themselves fail to account for complexities in organizations and informal/unofficial power structures. They also overemphasize the role of rationality.

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Question

How can bureaucracies reflect social inequality?

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Answer

Bureaucracies may reflect social inequality, as they were typically headed by wealthy, powerful White men who may only look for merit in other powerful White men.

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Question

Name some other models of bureaucracies.

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Answer

Other models of bureaucracies include the:

• Acquisitive,
• Monopolistic,
• Enabling, and
• Coercive models.

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Are secondary groups that are formally organized to achieve specific goals?

Are secondary groups formally organized?

Which of the following is an example of a secondary group?

What best describes a secondary group?