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.