SOCIAL GROUPS

The term social group consists of two terms i.e. social and group. Ordinarily by social
group we mean a collection of human beings. But the term social refers to social
relationships or shared behaviors.
Famous Sociologist H.M. Johnson remarked that, “Sociology is the science that deals
with social groups”. This shows the importance of social groups in sociology. Human
beings never live in isolation. He rarely exists alone. Human life is essentially a group
life. As a social animal he always lives in group. He begins his life as a participating
member of the group i.e. family. He born, lives, grows and dies in group. He forms
group to fulfill his different needs and to attain common goals. Groups play an important
role in shaping personality, in the development of social organization and socialization.
In the social sciences a social group has been defined as two or more people who
interact with one another.
GROUP.
Groups are a fundamental part of social life. a number of people or things that are
together or in the same place.
OR 
A number of people who are connected by some shared activity, interest, or quality.

OR
a number of things that are related in some way.

A number of people or things that are located, gathered, or classed together.

OR
When two or more persons are in a state interaction then it is called group.
In other words group refers to sum of people in interaction.

SOCIAL GROUP

A collection of individuals who have regular contact and frequent

interaction, mutual influence, common feeling of , and who work together sense
of trust, loyalty and goodwill to achieve a common set of goals.
It'll be easier if we go there as a group. She presented the idea to the group. We like to
let these students work in groups whenever possible. She belongs to an
environmental group. She joined a discussion group.

The Most Important Characteristics of Social Group

The 10 Most Important Characteristics of Social Group is listed below:

(1) Given number of Individual:

A social group consists of a given number of individuals. Without a number of
individuals no social group can be formed. Two or more than that individual are
necessary to form a group. This number may vary. These individuals belong to the
group as members of the group and are considered as unit of the group.

(2) Reciprocal Relations:

There exist reciprocal relations among the members of a social group. These reciprocal
relations among the members are the basis or foundation of social group without which
social group cannot be formed. The members must interact or inter-related with each
other.

(3) Common Goals:

It is another important characteristic of a social group. The aims, objectives and ideas of
the members are common. For the fulfillment of these common goals social groups are
formed. Here individual interests are sacrificed for group interests.

(4) Sense of unity and solidarity

Members of a social group are always tied by a sense of unity and bond of solidarity,
common goals and mutual relations strengthens this bond of unity and solidarity. This
creates loyalty and sympathy among the members of social group.

(5) A strong sense of awe-feeling respect

Members of a social group are characterized by a strong sense of awe-feeling. This
awe- feeling fosters co-operation among members. Because of this awe- feeling the
members identify themselves with the group and consider others as outsiders.

(6) Group Norms:

Every social group has its own, regulations and norms which the members are
supposed to follow. With the help of these rules and norms the group exercises control
over its members. These norms may be written or unwritten. Any violation of group
norms is followed by punishment. The group norms maintain unity and integrity in the
group.

(7) Similar Behavior:

Members of a social group show similar behavior. As the interests, ideals and values of
a group are common hence its members behave in a similar manner. This similar
behavior helps in the achievement of common goals.

(8) Awareness:
Members of a social group are aware about the membership which distinguishes them
from others. This is perhaps due to the consciousness of kind as opinioned by Giddings.

(9) Group Control:

Social group exercises some sort of control over its members and over their activities.
This control may be direct or indirect.

(10) Permanent or temporary

 Social groups may be permanent or temporary in nature. There are permanent groups
likes family and temporary groups like crowd etc.
 COMPONENTS OF SOCIAL GROUP

Components are the part from which a certain thing is made of components of social
group is as under.

1. People.
As we know discussed in the above definitions of social group which means group of
two or more than two people when have some interaction which means coordination
with each other and go side by side in same direction and their target is to achieve the
same objectives is called social group so for the creation of social groups. There should
be at least two persons.

2. Common interest.
It is also an important component of social group. There is common interest or purpose
of the group members or among the individuals. It means that they have a common
interest for which they constitute any group.

3. Communication.

Communication between group members is also essential of social group. There must
be communication between group members or among the individuals to share the
information about their purpose or which they are combined together.

4. Interactions.
 Interaction simply means coordination which should be must for the creation of social
group because the first definitions clear show the picture of social group creation. There are
two types of interaction.

 Physical interaction
Simply we mean when some people embraced with each other hand shake which
create the mutual interaction among them.

 Symbolic interaction
Symbolic or non physical interaction simply we say that when no physical attachment
among the people but interaction create from some distance or by signals such as traffic
signal etc.

5. Social structure
There is social structure which regulates the activities of the group members under
normal conditions.

6. Interdependence
There is dependence among members of social group.

Formation of social group.

Human groups and grouping can be based on many factors. Some points helps us in the
determinant of formation of social groups are as under.

1. Racial basis.
There are different groups which are format on the basis of race and other biological
characteristics. For example people belonging to a cast may group themselves to
protect their interest against the people of other casts. The racial and ethnic reasons
becomes the contributory factors for the sharp distribution of a given population into
different groups i.e. baloch pathan Punjabi etc.

2. Historical basis.
The basis of grouping of individual background of people as in the case of Jew. Thus
historical events want much in grouping a society and in case of afghan, mahajreen.
Indian mahajreen, rajput etc.

3. Geographical basis.
Geographical factors play an important role in the grouping of individuals within a given
society. For example the choice of occupation, income distribution, level of educational
 achievement, class and casts bindings in a given area may also depend on the geo
physical environment. For example from occupational point of view various people are
working belonging to different areas, because of some occupation form a goup, stock
exchange, no etc.

4. Common interest
Sometimes groups are formed on the basis of common interest. It means that when
more people have same interest then they combine themselves to form groups. For
example labor unions, professors associations etc.

5. Functional interdependence.

A single individual cannot meet all the needs and requirements himself.
He needs other persons in all walks of life. Thus in order to lead a successful life, an
individual requires around him. On the other hand his services are also needed by other
individuals. This functional interdependence of individuals over one another becomes the
basis of group life in different walks of life. The interdependence can be seen in economic,
political, religious educational play and recreational institution s of the society. For example
in sports of cricket in a team the players depends upon the captain and manager depend
upon the players of the teams players cannot perform their functions without captain and
manager. Similarly captain and manager cannot perform their functions without the all
players of the team.