Sociology

Course_Content_2016/lesson03/DRAFT Groups.html

3: society, Groups and organization

Groups, Group Dynamics, and Leadership

Groups and Group Dynamics

A Group refers to any collection of at least two people who interact with some frequency and who share some sense of aligned identity. 

An aggregate is different from a group. Aggregate refers to a collection of people who exist in the same place at the same time, but who don’t interact or share a sense of identity. An example could be people waiting for a train. 

A category is also different from a group. Category refers to people who share similar characteristics but who are not connected in any way. An example could be people with green eyes.

Group Dynamics: The dynamic between the individual and the group and how they affect each other is the subject of this section. Groups (and the individuals in them) can be affected by a wide variety of things. This section looks at two specific elements:

• The size of the group itself that influences the stability of the group.
• The intimacy within the group.

Dyads, or two-person groups, are the most intimate of groups (as evidenced by marriages, for instance) but at the same time the least stable of groups. This is because it takes the ongoing, active participation of both members of the group. If one loses interest, then the group can disappear.

Triads, or three-person groups, are similar to dyads in many respects. They are intense as well, although not as intense as dyads. They are inherently unstable but for a different reason. Coalitions tend to develop within these groups with the alignment of two members against the third. If you come from a family of three children, you are aware of the concept of coalition.

Generally, the larger the group, the more stable it becomes. As a group becomes smaller its relationships become more intense. Stability is a function of larger numbers but also the fact that more formal relationships develop as groups get larger.

Types of Groups and Their Functions

Primary Group refers to a small, informal groups of people who are closest to us; primary groups are typically longer-term relationships. Secondary Groups are larger groups, are less personal, and may be temporary.

Expressive Function is a group function that serves an emotional need and Instrumental Function refers to being oriented toward a task or goal. Primary groups typically serve expressive functions, and secondary groups typically serve instrumental functions.  But the definitions are not strict. For example, a group of students at a college are generally considered a secondary group, but experiences can make them into a primary group.

Reference Group refers to groups to which individuals compare themselves. 

People can have more than one reference group at the same time:

• Peers
• Family
• Idols or public figures (e.g., entertainers, activists, writers, athletes)
• Non-family connections like church leaders or educators

Sometimes these groups may provide conflicting influences or characteristics. 

Leaders

All groups have leaders. Leaders are individuals who influence others.

Leadership Styles 

Leadership Function refers to the focus or goal of a leader and to the style a leader uses to achieve goals or elicit action from group members.

An Instrumental leader is a leader who is goal oriented with a primary focus on accomplishing tasks. The instrumental leader is the person who keeps the group moving toward its goals or facilitates getting the job done. This is the person in a group discussion who may remind the group to get back on subject or keeps track of the time or is the authority figure in the group.

An Expressive Leader is a leader who is concerned with process and with ensuring everyone’s emotional wellbeing. Expressive leaders increase harmony and the sense of community within the group and also help to reduce the conflict within the group. This can be the class clown or someone who is supportive in his/her comments.

Democratic Leaders are leaders who encourages group participation and consensus-building before moving into action.

Laissez-Faire Leaders are hands-off leaders who allow members of the group to make their own decisions.

Authoritarian Leaders are leaders who issues orders and assigns tasks.

Conformity

Conformity is the extent to which an individual complies with group or societal norms

• People who don’t conform are usually very easy to notice (depending on the size of the group and the degree of nonconformity).
• Pressure to conform can lead people to do or say things they wouldn’t normally, and even to do things they know are wrong.

Please watch this short video about a classic study on conformity.

Asch Conformity Experiment