UNDERSTANDING
CULTURE,
SOCIETY, AND
POLITICS
SECOND QUARTER – WEEK 2 - 3
NAME: _________________________
GRADE 12 – ST. THOMAS AQUINAS
SECOND QUARTER – WEEK 2:
LESSON 7: Concept of Social Group and
Social Organization
Concepts of Social Group and Social
Organization
Homans (1950) defines a group as collection of two or more persons who
are in social interaction, who are guided by similar norms, values, and
expectations, and who maintain a stable pattern of relations over a
period of time.
Donald Light (1984) defines a group as set of individuals who identify and
interact with one another in a structured way based on shared values
and goals
Social group
is a unit of interacting personalities with interdependence of roles and
statuses existing between and among themselves.
It is a collection of people who interact with each other in accordance
with the position they occupy in the society.
On the other hand, social organization refers to a type of collectivity
established for the pursuit of the specific aims or goals, characterized by a
formal structure of rules, authority relations, a division of labor and limited
membership or admission (Jarry, D. 1995).
Fundamentally, society with a group of individuals called a social group.
A social group exists when at least two people are in contact and
commonly stimulating and reacting with each other through language
both verbal and non-verbal.
This shared between inter-stimulation and reaction between at least two
people and groups is referred to as social interaction.
An achieved status, on the other hand, is where an individual
may acquire by virtue of his own efforts, use of intelligence and skills, choice, or
through some stroke of good fortune.
This can be through marriage, occupation, profession, education,
financial acumen, industry or lotto winning.
The pattern of behavior that accompanies a status is a social role.
Every person inhabits a number of statuses and plays the corresponding
varied roles at different stages of his life and to the different social groups
to which he belongs and depending upon which social relationship is
effect at any particular time.
Example a child can play the role of son or daughter in a father-son
or father-daughter relationship in the family at home or play the role of a
student in a teacher-student relationship in his or her school group. Later
on, when he or she is matured enough he can play the role of husband or
wife in a husband-wife relationship or play the role of an employee in an
employer-employee relationship in his or her workplace.
SECOND QUARTER – WEEK 3:
LESSON 8: Characteristics of Social Group
Characteristics of Social Group
The basis of grouping can be numerous, but the division of the population
based on their age, sex, income and profession can provide various types of
social groups.
The 12 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 interrelated with each other.
3.Common Goals
It is another important characteristic of a social group.
The aims, objectives and ideals of the members are common.
For the fulfilment 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
Members of a social group is characterized by a strong sense of awe-
feeling.
This awe-feeling fosters co-operation among members. Because of this
we-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 opined 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.
Of course, group exercises control only over non-conformists or deviants.
10. Social groups may be permanent or temporary in nature. There are
permanent groups likes family and temporary groups like crowd, mob etc.
11. Social groups are dynamic in nature. It is not static. It responds to different
changes. The nature of change may be slow or rapid but it is bound to occur.
12. Social groups have established patterns.
- keep on learning and God bless you always!
ACTIVTIY SHEET
NAME: ___________________________________ DATE: ________
GRADE 12 – ST. THOMAS AQUINAS SCORE:
ACTIVITY #4
Write your idea/s on the statement “No Man is an Island”
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ACTIVITY # 5: My Family
Fill in the table below. List down the name of the members of your
household and identify their social status and social role in your family.
Family Member Social Status Social Role
ACTIVITY #6:
Answer the following questions:
1. What are the characteristics of Social Group?
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2. Why do we need to identify different characteristics of Social Group?
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3. Why Social groups are dynamic?
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- keep on learning and God bless you always!
