Social Organizations: Groups within Society (Primary and Secondary)

How Society is Organized

People have organized themselves into groups with common rules of living. The organization of such a group is
called society. Different institutions are found in every community, such as the family, kin relationships, childcare, and
division of work based on gender and age.

All societies, small or large, are organized around an uneven division of labor and decision-making. Present societies are
expected to provide protection, economic security, law and order, and a sense of belonging to their members.

Societies usually adapt to changes around them, like in the environment or in technology. Most changes happen slowly,
but some significant events such as war or revolution can completely transform societies.

The Threefold Nature of Social Life

Applying Goethe’s method to social life, Rudolf Steiner thought that if we apply the phenomenological, participatory
method to human social life as a multifaceted, multilayered whole, we can distinguish three different spheres of activity:

1. cultural–everything involving the growth and expression of the human spirit: education, art, science, religion,
journalism, and publishing
2. legal or political–involving human rights and relationships between people and organizations
3. economic–having to do with the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services

Human society, Steiner claimed, will only flourish if these three spheres are recognized and each is organized according
to its own inherent principles, dynamics, and ideals.

Social Groups and Organizations

Sometimes, organization refers to associational groups. It includes corporations, armies, schools, and banks. Society
composes many of such organizations. A state is considered as a political organization, or school may represent an
educational organization, and so on. They are all social organizations.

Organization is a state of being or a condition in which various institutions in society are functioning by their recognized
or implied purposes (Elliott and Merrill, 1950).

Social organization or social system refers to the interdependence of parts in groups. These groups may differ in size
and nature. It makes possible the complex activities where members of a complex society participate in.

Groups within Society

People do not live in isolation. They live in groups. Social groups consist of two or more individuals who identify with one
another and regularly interact as a result of shared norms, values, and expectations. Being in a group entails realizations
of activities and events in one's life that help people build and define their stories, interests, and contributions to society.

Different group categorization exists in society. Categories include primary and secondary groups, in-groups and out-
groups and reference groups.

Primary Group
First formulated by Charles Horton Cooley, the concept of a primary group is an essential unit of social organization and
social life. A primary group is characterized by personal and lasting relationships with its members.

It has been identified that relationships in a primary type of team is unconditional and not prearranged. Setting aside
family relations, members of primary groups share lots of things in common, like interests, stories, or personalities.

The best example of a primary group is the nuclear family. Relationships and attachments organized in this group are
permanent as one's identity, lifestyle, and stories are tied to this group. A group of close friends is another example of this
group.
The term 'primary' is used with these groups because they are the primary or main source of socialization and
relationships. Relationships in primary groups give us security, love, and companionship. We also learn norms and values
from our family and friends that stay with us for most of our lives.

Secondary Group
By contrast, secondary groups are formal, small or large, and usually short term. These groups are typically found at
work and school.

An example of this group is a political party organized to plan the best campaign for the election. Members of the board
meet infrequently and for only a short period. Team members may have some similar interests, but the main purpose of
the group is on the task instead of the relationships.

Classroom and work environment are other examples of a secondary group.

Sometimes, secondary groups become informal, and members of the team get to know each other well; however, even if
their friendships exist in a limited time, they will not necessarily remain close beyond.

Unlike the primary group, members play their roles in a secondary group based on arranged and conditional contract.
Members of this group need not to convene based on shared interests or personalities.
Social Organizations: In-group and Out-Group
Social Groups and Organizations
Sometimes, 'organization' refers to associational groups. It includes corporations, armies, schools, and banks. Society is
composed of many such organizations. A state is considered as a political organization and school may represent an
educational organization. They are all social organizations.

Organization is a state of being or a condition in which the various institutions in society are functioning by their
recognized or implied purposes. (Elliott and Merrill, 1950)

A social organization or social system refers to the interdependence of parts in groups. These groups may differ in size
and nature. It makes possible the complex activities where members of a complex society participate in.

Different Social Groups of Social Organization

Each community is made up of smaller groups and associations that are built on social class, personal interest, or
common goals.

The power elite is run by a small group representing the wealthiest, most powerful, and most influential people in
government, business, and the military.

Example:

A generous business person may make substantial contributions to a political candidate.

Voluntary associations are groups that people choose to join, wherein members are united by the pursuit of a common
goal.

Example:

a parent-teacher association at a particular school

Formal organizations are secondary groups organized to achieve specific goals. Legal organizations tend to be larger
and more impersonal than voluntary associations.

Example:

A corporation is usually a formal organization. The very specific goal of most companies is to increase profits.

Bureaucracy is a type of formal organization in which a rational approach is used to handle large tasks. The bureaucratic
organization is highly organized with a high degree of formality in the way it operates.

Examples:

colleges and universities

Groups within Society

People do not live in isolation. They live in groups. Social groups consist of two or more individuals who identify with one
another and regularly interact as a result of shared norms, values, and expectations. Being in a group entails realizations
of activities and events in one's life that help people build and define their stories, interests, and contributions to society.

Different group categorization exists in society. Categories include primary and secondary groups, in-group and out-
group, and reference groups.
In-Group and Out-group
An in-group is an exclusive social group formed out of shared interest and identity. This is the “we” group in society from
which people’s loyalty is bestowed upon. This type of group satisfies the old saying "birds of the same feather flock
together.'' It is in this group where people feel more comfortable and secured, with no threat, intimidation or conflict of
interest. Members of this group consist of those who share common experiences or ideas in life.

Examples include friendship groups, families, and religious groups.

An out-group, on the other hand, is a social group associated with competition or opposition as its nature is different from
one’s own. This is the “they” of society, where a person is not a part of or does not belong to the group. The formation of
out-groups is the result of perceived differences.

One’s out-group includes those groups one dislikes or disregards. It is also that group where one does not feel happy
personality-, interest-, or ability-wise.

It should be noted that out-groups should not be given negative connotation as they only involve non-membership to a
certain group. After all, people are created differently. This should be celebrated in the same regard as we give to shared
interests. People should respect what others can and cannot do. That is the very purpose of recognizing the existence of
out-groups.

Issues Surrounding In-groups and Out-groups

In-groups and out-groups are formed as a result of the following:

Social groups, despite functioning actively in realizing tasks of society, draw a boundary between people in the
community. The concept of social group classification of in-groups and out-groups brings defined and perceived
differences to a different level. Lack of sense of belongingness, isolation, rivalry, tension, and threat of violence may result
from well-defined in-groups and out-groups.

In-group favoritism happens when a person favors or offers special treatment to in-group members over out-group
members. This activity may disregard merit and result to serious social situations such as corruption, crime,
and padrino system.

Out-group homogeneity is the tendency of a person to classify those people who are not in their in-group as being
similar to one another. In short, people overgeneralize and label out-groups in a negative manner.
Social Organizations: Reference Groups

Groups within Society

People do not live in isolation. They live in groups. Social groups consist of two or more people who identify with one
another and regularly interact as a result of shared norms, values, and expectations. Being in a group entails realizations
of activities and events in one's life that help people build and define their stories, interests, and contributions to society.

Different group categorization exists in society. Categories include primary and secondary groups, in-groups and out-
group, and reference groups.

Reference Groups and its Normative Functions

Reference Groups are groups that serve as our standards in setting and evaluating our own behaviors and attitudes.

When reference groups serve a purpose of setting your norms and values, these are normative reference groups.
These groups directly influence the behavior of a person, serving as a role model, standard, or base point.

Your immediate family and friends are considered a normative reference group. The way they are is the way you are.
Your mentors or celebrity idols also shape your personality. In hopes of being identified with them, people opt to act,
speak, dress, and think the way they do.

Reference Groups and its Comparative Functions

Some reference groups exist to provide people with means of comparison for behavior, style, and achievement. Such
are comparative reference groups whose norms and values serve as points of comparison for certain behaviors.

For body figure, teenagers look up to supermodels as references. For skills in basketball, enthusiasts play by the rules of
professional basketball players from the NBA or PBA. To check whether he fares well in his exams, a student may
compare his score from that of his class's best students.

Group Influences
It is a natural response of people to socialize, build connections, and get influenced. With either good or bad influence, our
social groups or reference groups play vital roles in shaping who we are and becoming who we want to be or what society
wants us to be.

Reference groups come in different forms and classifications.

Aspirational reference groups refers to people or groups of people with whom we want to be compared with. Product
advertisers and celebrities like athletes, movie stars, or talk show hosts are fine examples of this reference group. People
think that by supporting their favorite celebrity, they become associated with them.

Associative reference groups refer to groups where we belong and take part in. These people include our neighbors,
coworkers, club members, or church members. People have a tendency to confine with what is on trend in their
immediate community.

Dissociative reference groups refers to groups that people have no interest in being associated with. This group of
people includes those with whom we share conflicts in interest, attitude, or behavior.
Social Organizations: Networks
Groups Within Society and the Rise of Social Networks
A social group is a team of two or more individuals that are dependent on one another. Its organization rests on the
purpose of working and achieving the goals of society. Humans are social beings whoa are constantly longing and
needing association or support.

Different group categorization exists in the society. Categories include primary and secondary groups, in-group and out-
group, and reference groups.

The existence of different social organizations in society and the connections or ties that bind them together give rise to a
social network.

Social Networks
A social network is a social structure comprised of individuals joined by a certain pattern of links or relations. Social
networks are indicative of a person or an organization's relationships as either casual and informal or personal and
intimate. This is often regarded as individuals' basic tool to connect to society.

Designed to connect people and make the world seem borderless, social media websites like Twitter or Facebook are
social networks. In a click, updates about an individual may reach his friends and friends of friends as well. People listed
in your phone book are your social networks. Membership to organizations or companies guarantees a social network.

Ties and Nodes

As mentioned, social networks are composed of individuals and the connections or links that bind them together. These
components of a network are called 'nodes' and 'ties.'

The person or organization playing a part in a network is known as a node. On the other hand, ties are the links or
connections that bind individuals or organizations together.

They may be weak or strong. Measured by strength, strong ties are the result of intimate and personal links. Meanwhile,
weak ties are connections caused by informal, casual, and business-like relationships.

The Importance of Social Networks

Through networks, social linkages or connections are formed. It is important to note that these networks serve a role in
the attainment of the goals of society. Through networks, people get connected, get updated, and become aware.

Networks are media for the spread and exchange of ideas. News awareness, information relay, and rumors are good
examples. Some people also use their networks to obtain a position in a company, to make a business successful, or to
earn a living. Social networks undoubtedly serve as social support and provide people with information or guidance in
times of need.