Social Groups and Social Groups and Organizations Organizations

Chapter 6Chapter 6

Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

Distinguish between primary and secondary groups.Distinguish between primary and secondary groups. Explain the functions of groups.Explain the functions of groups. Understand the role of reference groups.Understand the role of reference groups. Know the influence of group size.Know the influence of group size. Understand the characteristics of bureaucracy.Understand the characteristics of bureaucracy. Know what Michels’s concept of “the iron law of Know what Michels’s concept of “the iron law of

oligarchy” is.oligarchy” is. Understand why social institutions are important.Understand why social institutions are important.

The Nature of GroupsThe Nature of Groups

Identifiable Collections of PeopleIdentifiable Collections of People

Social GroupSocial Group

Social Aggregate – number of people with Social Aggregate – number of people with temporary physical proximitytemporary physical proximity

Social GroupSocial Group

A number of people connected by A number of people connected by common identity, seeking unity as a result common identity, seeking unity as a result of shared goals and normsof shared goals and norms

Social AggregateSocial Aggregate

A number of people with temporary A number of people with temporary physical proximity to each otherphysical proximity to each other

Types of GroupsTypes of Groups

Primary – intimate face-to-face association Primary – intimate face-to-face association with total interaction; form the social with total interaction; form the social nature and ideas of individualsnature and ideas of individuals

Secondary – less intimate; impersonal, Secondary – less intimate; impersonal, formalized, and with specific goalsformalized, and with specific goals

Functions of GroupsFunctions of Groups

Define boundariesDefine boundaries Choose leadersChoose leaders Make decisionsMake decisions Set goalsSet goals Assign tasksAssign tasks Control members’ behaviorControl members’ behavior

Reference GroupsReference Groups

Used by individuals to:Used by individuals to:

1.1. Help define beliefsHelp define beliefs2.2. Determine attitudes and valuesDetermine attitudes and values3.3. Provide guidance for behaviorProvide guidance for behavior4.4. Provides comparison point for Provides comparison point for

measuring self against othersmeasuring self against others

Small GroupsSmall Groups

Broadly applied term, includingBroadly applied term, including FamiliesFamilies Peer groupsPeer groups Work groupsWork groups

Size allows all members to know one anotherSize allows all members to know one another

1.1. Dyad (2 members)Dyad (2 members)

2.2. Triad (3 members)Triad (3 members)

Example of a DyadExample of a Dyad

Large Groups/AssociationsLarge Groups/Associations

Associations with purposeful special Associations with purposeful special interest goals and official hierarchyinterest goals and official hierarchy

Large Groups – ExamplesLarge Groups – Examples

Government departmentsGovernment departments Businesses/factoriesBusinesses/factories Labor unionsLabor unions Schools and collegesSchools and colleges Hospitals and clinicsHospitals and clinics

Formal structure dominates; informal structure Formal structure dominates; informal structure emergesemerges

Group Form & FunctionGroup Form & Function

Varies dependent onVaries dependent on Social locationSocial location Social structureSocial structure Simplicity or complexity of societySimplicity or complexity of society

Tönnies on GroupsTönnies on Groups

Gemeinschaft (community) – with intimate, Gemeinschaft (community) – with intimate, cooperative, and personal relationships; cooperative, and personal relationships; personal reciprocity and group carepersonal reciprocity and group care

Gesellschaft (society) – with impersonal, Gesellschaft (society) – with impersonal, independent, and formal relationships; self independent, and formal relationships; self interest served first and economic interest served first and economic exchangeexchange

Durkheim on GroupsDurkheim on Groups

Built on the collective conscience that Built on the collective conscience that produces social solidarityproduces social solidarity

Mechanical solidarity – strong collective Mechanical solidarity – strong collective conscience with great commitment to that conscience with great commitment to that conscience; small simple societyconscience; small simple society

Organic solidarity – cooperation of individuals Organic solidarity – cooperation of individuals performing specialized tasks; large complex performing specialized tasks; large complex societysociety

GroupsGroups

andand

BureaucracyBureaucracy

Merton on BureaucracyMerton on Bureaucracy

““A formal, rationally organized social A formal, rationally organized social structure [with] clearly defined patterns of structure [with] clearly defined patterns of activity in which, ideally, every series of activity in which, ideally, every series of actions is functionally related to the actions is functionally related to the purposes of the organization.”purposes of the organization.”

Weber on Bureaucracy: An IdealWeber on Bureaucracy: An Ideal

lear-cut division of laborlear-cut division of labor Hierarchical delegation of power and Hierarchical delegation of power and

responsibilityresponsibility Rules and regulations Rules and regulations Impartiality Impartiality Employment based on technical Employment based on technical

qualifications qualifications Distinction between public and private Distinction between public and private

spheresspheres

Reality of BureaucracyReality of Bureaucracy

Built on Weber’s modelBuilt on Weber’s model StructureStructure

• OverseersOverseers• SubordinatesSubordinates

Adherence to unproductive ritualAdherence to unproductive ritual• AlienationAlienation• IncompetenceIncompetence• IndifferenceIndifference

Michels on Iron Law of OligarchyMichels on Iron Law of Oligarchy

Bureaucracy begins idealistically then Bureaucracy begins idealistically then evolvesevolves

Dominated by self-serving peopleDominated by self-serving people• Achieve powerAchieve power• Corrupted by elite positionsCorrupted by elite positions• Self-protective / self-servingSelf-protective / self-serving

Social OrganizationSocial Organization

Social InstitutionsSocial Institutions

Social Organization Social Organization

Social InstitutionsSocial Institutions

Ordered social relationships, built on:Ordered social relationships, built on: ValuesValues NormsNorms StatusesStatuses RolesRoles

All fulfilling society’s needsAll fulfilling society’s needs

Social OrganizationSocial Organization

Relatively stable pattern of social Relatively stable pattern of social relationships of individuals and groups in relationships of individuals and groups in society, built on:society, built on: Social rolesSocial roles Norms and shared meaningsNorms and shared meanings

All providing regularity and predictability in All providing regularity and predictability in interactioninteraction