Information about Books for IAS and UPSC

Since a highly cohesive group is one that binds the members tightly together; it naturally is one which the members actually care about, one to which they feel committed. Because they value the group, members put more energy into group, activities in a cohesive group. The differences between high and low cohesiveness can be observed in the amount and quality of communication in the group, the group's ability to maintain the loyalty and satisfaction of its members, the power of the group over the opinions and behavior of its members, the group's ability to achieve its goals, and the extent to which group culture *is elaborated. One of the most important books for IAS striking aspects of group development and functioning is the apparent control the groups wield over their members' behavior, it introduces conformity in behavior. However, in the cultures where individualism is very much prized, it is often difficult to use the word conformity without evoking images of mindless, sheep like behavior. But the fact is, conformity to social norms makes social groups as well as society as a whole. If people did not agree to some basic rules of behavior, they could not coordinate their actions with others, because no one would have any idea what anyone was going to do next. As a' result, no collective goals could be achieved. Conformity, a necessary part of social life, is sometimes even as aspect of enlightened selfinterest. In fact, most of us willingly conform to the rules of our social groups throughout most of our daily behavior. Conforming most of the time does not mean conforming all the time however. Because we all occasionally break the rules of our social groups, deviance is a persistent aspect of social organizations of all kinds. Both conformity and deviance have negative accommodations it highlights a basic conflict between the interest of the group and the interest of the-Individual. Actually, since groups are made of individuals, this is better viewed as a conflict between that part of ourselves whose needs are met by the group and that part which wants to be independent. In some ways deviance is also a necessary part of books for UPSC is the social life. When a group member breaks a rule, he or she offers the group an alternative to the way things have always been done. This makes deviance a driving force for change in groups. Since the ability to adapt to changing circumstances is a prerequisite for group survival, deviance can actually help the group in some situations. But group member are seldom aware of this aspect of deviance. For the most deviance is an attack on the group and its belief. Of course, high levels of deviance can truly destroy a group. As a result, the most common reaction will be an effort to pressure the deviate to bring his or her behavior back in line with group's norms. Efforts on the part of the group majority to reduce or eliminate deviance are what is called the social control process.