हिंदी

Social Groups

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Topics

Estimated time: 26 minutes
  • Meaning of a Group
  • Definition: Group
  • Definition: Small Group
  • Small Groups and Large Groups
  • Social Influence (Kelman, 1961)
  • Nature and Formation of Groups
  • Group vs. Crowd
  • Group vs. Team
  • Group vs. Audience
  • Group vs. Mob
  • Key Points: Social Group
CISCE: Class 12

Meaning of a Group

  • Family is the first group; the child learns norms and values through it.
  • Family (primary group) shapes socialisation and personality.
  • Secondary groups — school, neighbourhood, clubs — shape later growth.
  • Social groups include family, religious, ethnic, sports, and classmate groups.
  • Groups create a sense of belongingness.
CBSE: Class 12
CISCE: Class 12

Definition: Group

A group may be defined as an organised system of two or more individuals who are interacting and interdependent, who have common motives, have a set of role relationships among its members, and have norms that regulate the behaviour of its members.

CISCE: Class 12

Definition: Small Group

  • “A small group is usually of 2 to 10 persons who have common objects of attention, jointly attempt at problem solving and decision making, who are strongly stimulating each other, who have common loyalty, and participate in similar activities.” - Kuppuswamy
  • “A small group is a small number of persons with intimate relationships with each other, who collectively and vigorously work for the group's goal.” - Borgardus
CISCE: Class 12

Small Groups and Large Groups

  • Small groups include dyad (2), triad (3), up to 10 members.
  • Large groups include racial groups, political groups, nations, and other big collectivities
  • Social psychologists study small groups; sociologists study large groups.
CISCE: Class 12

Social Influence (Kelman, 1961)

  • Kelman (1961) identified three types of factors played by social influence in attitude change.
  • Each factor has its unique psychological basis and special consequences for change of attitude (Mann, 1985).
  • (a) Compliance — Social influence on judgement and opinion arising out of pressures of conformity.
  • (b) Identification — Social influence stemming from interaction in small primary groups.
  • (c) Internalisation — Social influence arising from persuasive communication delivered by prestigious sources.
CBSE: Class 12

Nature and Formation of Groups

  • You interact with family, classmates, teachers, and friends daily — each is a group.
  • Groups provide support, comfort, and facilitate growth.
  • Our lives are influenced by the nature of our group memberships.
  • We can also change others and society, not just be influenced.
  • Formal definition: an organised system of 2+ interacting, interdependent individuals with common motives, roles, and norms.
  • People at a cricket match or school function are at one place but are not a group — no interdependence, no defined roles.
CBSE: Class 12

Group vs. Crowd

  • A crowd is a collection of people who may be present at a place by chance.
  • Example: a large number of people are collecting at an accident site.
  • No structure, no feeling of belongingness in a crowd.
  • Behaviour in crowds is irrational; there is no interdependence among members.
CBSE: Class 12

Group vs. Team

  • Teams are special kinds of groups.
  • Members of teams have complementary skills and are committed to a common goal.
  • Members are mutually accountable for their activities.
  • Teams have positive synergy through coordinated efforts.
  • In groups, performance depends on individual member contributions; in teams, both individual contributions and teamwork matter.
  • In groups, the leader holds responsibility; in teams, members hold themselves responsible.
CBSE: Class 12

Group vs. Audience

  • An audience is a collection of people assembled for a special purpose - watching a cricket match or a movie.
  • Audiences are generally passive.
  • Sometimes audiences go into a frenzy and become mobs.
CBSE: Class 12

Group vs. Mob

  • In mobs, there is a definite sense of purpose.
  • There is polarisation in attention; actions of persons are in a common direction.
  • Mob behaviour is characterised by homogeneity of thought and behaviour as well as impulsivity.
CBSE: Class 12
CISCE: Class 12

Key Points: Social Group

  • A group is two or more people who interact, share common goals, and follow norms and roles.
  • Family is the first group, and later groups like school, neighbourhood, and clubs influence development.
  • Groups create a sense of belonging, and members influence one another.
  • Small groups have about 2–10 members, while large groups include racial and political groups and nations.
  • Social influence changes attitudes through compliance, identification, and internalisation.
  • A group differs from a crowd or an audience because groups involve interaction and interdependence.
  • Teams are special groups where members work together with shared responsibility to achieve a common goal.

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