Sociology

Sociology Study Guide

expectations about long-held public habits. Roles are collections of habitual behaviors that are associated with a particular position in a society. In general, when a person assumes a role, they assume those habitual behaviors and society reacts to them based on that role, not as an individual, when in the act of performing that role. 3.5 Groups and Organizations Individuals in society are organized in various ways according to need and preference. For various reasons, groups and organization are formed and reformed, torn apart and restructured. Groups A group is two or more people who share common ideas, feelings, and/or pursuits. Members interact with one another based on those norms and according to their common purpose. Most groups have a structure of statuses and roles; this structure can be rigid or flexible. Members share a common sense of belonging and are mutually aware of one another and responsive to each other. The two basic types of groups are: • Primary: A small number of people o Interact over a long period of time o Intimate group interactions o Closely bonded o Relationships are warm, intimate, and personal o Emotional associations o Expressive communication • Secondary: A larger number of people o Interact on a temporary basis o No intimacy o Limited contact o Formed for a specific need or a practical purpose o Loosely bonded o Task-oriented associations At different sizes, groups have certain characteristics. A small group contains few members; each member is able to relate to one another as individuals. The dyad is the smallest possible group; it contains two people. It is more personal and intense than larger groups. The triad contains three people. It allows for alliances or coalitions and can add a level of pressure to conform. This relationship is less stable that the dyad. As groups become larger, their dynamics continue to shift. Interactions become more complex. Imbalance can occur as coalitions are formed. Cliques can form

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