social groups 2+ people who identify and interact with one another

Social Groups

2+ people who identify and interact with one another

(Macionis, 2007)

Stages of Group Development

• Forming– Regular interaction

• Storming– Chaotic vying for leadership

• Norming– Agreement of how the group will function

• Performing– Effective in meeting its objectives

• Adjourning– See you later

(Greene & Shepard, 2008)

Types of Groups

• Primary– Face-to-face– Strong personal identity– Multifaceted relationships– Strong ties within the group

• Secondary– Limited interaction– Weak personal identity– Limited, shallow

relationships– Weak ties within the group

(Greene & Shepard, 2008)

Types of Groups

• Informal– Join by coincidence– Brief encounter

• Formal– Join for a specific goal– Task oriented

(Greene & Shepard, 2008)

Nature of Social Groups

• Group Dynamics– Patterns of social interaction– Influenced by

• Group Size• Leadership Style• Conformity• Group Decision Making

(Greene & Shepard, 2008)

Group Dynamics

• Group Size– Dyad (2)

• Unstable• Intense Relationships

– Triad (3) and beyond• More Stable• Reduces Intense

Relationships

(Macionis, 2007)

Group Dynamics

• Leadership Style– Authoritarian– Democratic– Laissez-Faire

(Macionis, 2007)

Group Dynamics

• Conformity– Positive

• Social Order

– Negative• Groupthink• Blind Obedience

• Group Decision Making

References

Greene W., Robert & Shepard M. Jon (2008). Sociology & You (2nd Ed.). Columbus, Ohio: The McGraw-Hill Companies.

Macionis J. John (2007). Sociology (11th Ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall.