Group Dynamics and Social Groups

A group is a collection of people who interact with one another such that one person’s actions have an impression on the others. In other words, a gaggle is defined as two or more individuals, interacting and interdependent, who have close to realize particular objectives.

Dynamic of a Group:-

Group dynamics may be a system of behaviors and psychological processes occurring within a group (intragroup dynamics), or between social groups (intergroup dynamics). The study of social psychology is often useful in understanding decision-making behavior, tracking the spread of diseases in society, creating effective therapy techniques, and following the emergence and recognition of the latest ideas and technologies. These applications of the sector are studied in psychology, sociology, anthropology, politics, epidemiology, education, welfare work, business, and managerial studies, also as communication studies.

A group is often defined as several individuals who are close to accomplishing a specific task or goal. social psychology refers to the attitudinal and behavioral characteristics of a gaggle. social psychology concern how groups form, their structure and process, and the way they function. social psychology is relevant in both formal and informal groups of all kinds. In an organizational setting, groups are a really common organizational entity and therefore the study of groups and social psychology is a crucial area of study in organizational behavior.

What is a Social Group?

A social group is defined as:

"When two or more individuals come together and influence one another, they may be called a social group" - William Ogburn

"Social group is a group of two or more persons who are in the state of interaction with one another". Mayer Nimkoff 

A group may be a collectivity of two or more individuals who are in a state of interaction with each other. The state of social interaction refers to the reciprocal influence individuals exert on each other through inter-stimulation and response. This state of social interaction or inter-influence may be a compulsory characteristic of a group. A group of boys discussing the last watched movie is a social group because through their verbal interaction, they are influencing one another.

Types of Social Groups:-

We may classify social groups from various viewpoints. If we consider the size because of the criterion, the only person with the attention of group relationship is the ‘monad’ two involved in interaction to affect its organization are ‘dyad’ and ‘triad’ with the participation of three. If we consider the character of social contact and intensity of social interaction the kinds of the group are going to be as such:

Primary Groups

Secondary Groups

In-Group and Out-Group

Formal and Informal Groups

Reference Group

Ethnic Group

Caste Group

Pressure-Group

Vested Interest Group

Primary Group:-

The primary group is primary in the sense that the members are emotionally attached sharing their basic ways of life. within the basic affairs of life which are most essential for a social life those that fall under mutual sharing of 1 another form, a gaggle prime in importance called the primary group. Emotions, attitudes, ideas, and habits of people develop within here.

Secondary Group:-

The people within their contact second to the first form secondary group regardless of the sort of relationship is there. The intimacy is comparatively less than that in the primary. The relations of teacher and student, buyer and seller, voter and candidate, are secondary. The frequency, duration, intensity, and focus in an interaction could also be there but their degree is less than the one in the primary group. this is often second in importance of life to the participants. he's first suffering from the first group members and later by those within the secondary.

In-Group and Out-Group:-

During the processes of our lifestyle, we divide people into ‘we and them. The interest of the individual rests within those people with whom he's closely affiliated and places his confidence in them. they'll be members of his family, neighborhood, playgroup, or immediate or close relatives. He develops his subjective attitude and forms opinions about the acceptance or rejection of a particular object or idea through his in-group members. Consciousness kind also falls during this sort of group. The members are tied within the bonds of ‘we feel’, it's the group to which the individual is a member.

‘Out group’ members are considered about in-group. Those not included in ‘we’ and fail in `they are the members of out-group, its members aren't members of people self. We (in-group) the Russians, they (out-group) the Americans: we the Pathans, and that they the Sayyed are the examples. It means an individual member of a particular group falls in their in-group and an individual not a member of a gaggle falls in his out-group.

Formal and Informal Group:-

Here membership is defined. those that fulfill the conditions can become a member. The entry is formed under underwritten rules and therefore the membership is often canceled in violation of its rules and regulations. The offices are distributed consistently with the principles. the scholars during a class are a proper group, another example is that the Union Council, people enjoying a match on tickets. United Nations Organization (U.N.O.), SAARC, Punjab Professors and Lecturers Association (PPLA), and Youth Club during a mohalla, also are formal groups.

Informal group membership isn't defined. a person can participate and leave it when he likes. People in markets, fairs, listening to the radio, watching television, taking note of a speaker, and enjoying the feats of an acrobat on the roadside are samples of informal groups. Another example is people gossiping in mohalla and youngsters playing in street.

Reference Group:-

The term reference group was introduced by Muzafer Sherif in his book “An Outline of Social Psychology”. Here individual was socialized. Here he identifies himself may include the old members of the family and people who influenced him. those that left bright effects on the social life of the individual are the members of his reference group.

Ethnic Group:-

It is the group that has its cultural traits different from the overall culture of the society. These are smaller ones widespread at different places in society. they're always in minority and have strong social solidarity among their member's thanks to close and intense social interaction. This has its marriage, customs, beliefs, and rituals different from other ones. In Pakistani society, the people of tribal areas, the nomadic tribes, the Hindus, the Christians, the Americans, and the Iranians are ethnic groups.

Caste Group:-

Caste may be a permanent group during which the status of a private is fixed through heredity alone. The members of a caste usually create Biradri in Indo-Pakistani societies. Caste is the described status received at birth. Caste is a component in determining stratification in our society. Different castes have different social positions in our society. The people of an equivalent caste from Biradri for intermarriages. Therefore the binding force of Biradri creates group action among the people. This class structure is still prevalent in Indian and Pakistani society.

Pressure-Group:-

It lays pressure on the government to vary its policies in its favor. Here participants are high-class people, especially the rich and therefore the diplomats. This enjoys a status in society. Its members also participate in running government and administration.

Vested Interest Group:-

It is a social group that has its ends. Mostly the economic benefit is a major aim. This one for the sake of its aims does not interfere in government like the pressure group. But it has its way of following the government. This sort of social group derives benefits from the government.