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How Society Is Organized: Structure

This document summarizes different ways that social groups can be classified and organized. It discusses primary and secondary groups, formal and informal groups, open and closed groups, interest/pressure/task groups, in-group/out-group and minority/reference groups. Primary groups involve intimate personal relationships while secondary groups are more transactional. Formal groups are intentionally planned while informal groups form spontaneously. Open groups allow everyone to join while closed groups have membership limits. Interest groups promote member interests, pressure groups influence views, and task groups complete jobs. In-groups foster loyalty while out-groups are seen as outsiders. Minority groups have less size/status/influence than majority groups.

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110 views

How Society Is Organized: Structure

This document summarizes different ways that social groups can be classified and organized. It discusses primary and secondary groups, formal and informal groups, open and closed groups, interest/pressure/task groups, in-group/out-group and minority/reference groups. Primary groups involve intimate personal relationships while secondary groups are more transactional. Formal groups are intentionally planned while informal groups form spontaneously. Open groups allow everyone to join while closed groups have membership limits. Interest groups promote member interests, pressure groups influence views, and task groups complete jobs. In-groups foster loyalty while out-groups are seen as outsiders. Minority groups have less size/status/influence than majority groups.

Uploaded by

Sam dela Cruz
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SH1661

How Society is Organized


CLASSIFICATIONS OF SOCIAL GROUPS
Structure
Members of the primary group conduct themselves informally, interact spontaneously, sympathetically to one
another, and enjoy each other’s company; while in the secondary group, members conduct themselves
according to role expectation and treat each other with acknowledgement to status and degree of acquaintance.
Primary group engages on a personal level of intimate relationship and strong bonds of association, and
emotional attachment; while secondary group engages in transactional relationships for pursuit, facilitation
and attainment of goals.
Examples:
· Primary Group: Family, Couple, Church
· Secondary Group: Co-workers/Officemates, Sports Teammates, Committee
Organization
Formal group is intentionally formed and planned for carrying out specific purposes; while informal group is
formed unplanned and spontaneously established out of random association and interaction.
Examples:
· Formal Group: Student Organizations, Professional Associations, Religious Orders, etc.
· Informal Group: Peer Group, Dating Group, Study Group, etc.
Membership
Membership in the open group is open for everyone; while in closed group, it is exclusive to a selected number
of persons either by quota or qualifications.
Examples:
· Open Group: Clubs, Public Forums, etc.
· Closed Group: School exclusive for Girls, Political Party, etc.
Purpose
Interest groups are formed for the purpose of protecting and promoting the trade, interests, and well-being of
its members; while pressure groups are from the private sector of society that are formed to influence the
public’s views. Task groups, on the other hand, constitute a pool of workers labor force, or performers
following a chain of command for the purpose of completing a task.
Examples:
· Interest Group: Guilds, Art Clubs, Labor Unions, etc.
· Pressure Group: Militant Group, Advocacy group, etc.
· Task Group:Production Team, Sports Team, Orchestra, etc.
Perspective
As cited by Banaag (2012), Sociologist William G. Summer introduced the concept of in-group and out-group.
In-group members have a sense of loyalty, camaraderie, and solidarity. Non-members are considered
“outsiders”, “the others”, or “strangers.” While in an out-group, one is perceived to be apart from the others.
They are often perceived as odd and indifferent.
Minority groups, on the other hand, are relatively less dominant in terms of its size, status, or degree of
influence. While, in reference group, one is not necessarily a member but they serve a comparative basis for
self-evaluation.
Examples:
· Minority Group: Ethnic Groups
· Reference Group: Goths, Rockers, Socialites, etc.
Reference:
Banaag, L. M. T. (2012). Socio-anthro an integrated and interdisciplinary approach to the study of society and culture .
Mandaluyong City: Books Atbp. Publishing Corp.
05 Handout 1 *Property of STI
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