Social group has been defined as two or more people who interact with one another, share

similar characteristics, and collectively have a sense of unity. Other theorists disagree however,
and are wary of definitions which stress the importance of interdependence or objective
similarity.

Types of Social Group

The Nature of Groups

A social group is two or more humans who interact with one another, share similar
characteristics, and collectively have a sense of unity.

Primary Groups
A primary group is typically a small social group whose members share close, personal, enduring
relationships.

Secondary Groups
Secondary groups are large groups whose relationships are impersonal and goal oriented; their
relationships are temporary.

In-Groups and Out-Groups

In-groups are social groups to which an individual feels he or she belongs, while an individual
doesn't identify with the out-group.

Reference Groups
Sociologists call any group that individuals use as a standard for evaluating themselves and their
own behavior a reference group.

Social Networks
A social network is a social structure between actors, connecting them through various social
familiarities.

Online Communities
On the Internet, social interactions can occur in online communities that preclude the need to be
face-to-face.

Function of Social Groups

Defining Boundaries
Social groups are defined and separated by boundaries.
Choosing Leaders
Leadership is the ability to organize a group of people to achieve a common purpose.

Making Decisions
Decision-making is the mental processes resulting in the selection of a course of action among
several alternative scenarios.

Setting Goals
Goal setting involves establishing specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-targeted
(S.M.A.R.T. ) goals.

Controlling the Behaviors of Group Members

The behavior of group members can be controlled indirectly through group polarization,
groupthink, and herd behavior.

Non-social Group
living or disposed to live in companionship with others or in a community, rather than in
isolation: People are social beings. 5. of or relating to human society, especially as a body
divided into classes according to status: social rank