How Society is

Organized

Presented by: Reina Kimberly G. Solon, LPT

OBJECTIVES

In this topic, the students will be able to learn the following:

 Understand and discuss the composition of society based on the various

groups that composition of society based on the various groups that
compose it;
 Identify and define the different types of groups on society;
 Explain the role that social groups play in the formation of identities, values,
attitudes, and beliefs; and
 Describe the organized nature of social life and the rules governing behavior
in society.

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Groups within Society
Who are the groups that compose the
society?
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“ Individual commitment to a group
effort that is what makes a team
work, a company, a society work,
a civilization work.
- Vince Lombardi

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 Groups within Society

▰ You share certain similarities with your

classmates just like individual members
of society have commonalities with other
members. These similarities could be the
initial basis for individuals to be drawn
together and interact more closely. These
similarities could also be the basis for the
establishment of deeper and more
meaningful relationships.

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Groups within Society

▰ Beyond individual, groups are the smaller

units that compose society. Regardless of
size, however, membership in groups
constitutes a fundamental aspect of our
social existence and being. Groups have
been responsible for the development and
advancement of cultures, economies,
politics and other aspects of human and
civilization.

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Groups within Society

According to Plato, man is a social animal. This

means human being are naturally equipped with
tools such as language and reason that enable
them to engage others in meaningful
interaction. This desire and ability to interact is
seen in various ways. Example: Young people
meet their barkada in restaurants to catch up
with one another, they play sports, they go to
school, and communicate through social media.
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 Social Group

▰ Social group is a collection of individuals who

have relations with one another that make
them interdependent to some significant
degree.
▰ Interdependence is a necessary condition that
exists within social groups because it is what
enables its members to pursue shared goals or
promote common values and principles. This
also exists when individuals share common
goals and each individual's outcomes are
affected by the actions of the others. 8
 Social Group

▰ Social aggregate – a mere collection of

people within a particular place and time.
Aggregates do not necessarily influence our
social actions as there might be no direct
interaction and interdependence with the
people composing it. Example: people in the
mall, a crowd watching sports event, and
people eating in the restaurant
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 Primary and Secondary Groups

Members of society belong to social groups that vary not only in

size but also in the level and depth of interaction and
interdependence among its members. An individual is generally
closest to his or her immediate family (parents, siblings, first
cousins, etc.) but not to his distant relatives. He or she may have
deep binds with his or her close friends but could have cordial or
casual relationships with other acquaintances.
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 Primary and Secondary Groups

Sociologists free that not all groups are equivalent in terms of their
level of importance.
1. Primary group – small, intimate, and less specialized group
whose members engage in face-to-face and emotion-based
interactions over an extended period of time. The interdependence
of this group is deep and profound to each other. Example: family,
close friends, work-related peers, and classmates.
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 Primary and Secondary Groups

Sociologists free that not all groups are equivalent in terms of their
level of importance.
2. Secondary groups – larger, less intimate, and more specialized
groups where members engage in an impersonal and objective-
oriented relationship for a limited time. The level of interaction and
interdependence is not deep and significant. This is driven by
mutual benefit that emotional affinity. Example: employees in a
workplace, officials in an organization, and college classes.
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 In-groups and Out-groups

Another relevant approach in understanding the characteristics of

social groups is the self-categorization theory. It proposes that
people’s appreciation of their group membership is influenced by
their perception towards people who are not members of their
groups. Basically, people’s perceptions of other people as well as
other groups are influenced whether they perceive others as
members of their group or not.
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 In-groups and Out-groups

1. In-group – a group to which one belongs and with

which one feels a sense of identity.
2. Out-group – a group to which one does not belong
and to which he or she may feel a sense of
competitiveness or hostility.
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 In-groups and Out-groups

For every individual, distinguishing between his or her in-

groups and out-groups is essential in developing his or
her identity and self-worth. One usually treats members
of his or her in-group more favorably than those of his or
her out-group. However, people’s shifting group
memberships throughout their lives means that their
notions of in-groups and out-groups are likely to change.
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 Manifestations of in-groups and out-groups

▰ Members of an in-group will devise ways to distinguish themselves from

nonmembers. This may come in the form of group titles, symbols that
represent the group, and its members. This can mean inclusivity and
exclusivity.
▰ Members within a certain in-group display positive attitudes and behavior
toward their fellow members while they may portray negative attitude
towards their out-groups.
▰ Similarities and shared experiences foster unity and cooperation among in-
groups while competition and superiority to the outgroups.
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 Reference Groups

▰ This is a group which an individual compares himself or herself. Such

groups strongly influence an individual’s behavior and social attitudes
whether he or she is a member of these groups. Examples of reference
groups include an individual’s in-group (family, work, colleagues,
schoolmates, etc.) or his or her out-groups (church, fellow club members,
neighbors, sports team, etc.)
▰ Individuals often identify with and emulate the traits of people they feel
closest to. for instance, they seek to emulate the career or professions of
his/her parents.
▰ Reference groups are the models that can shape individual’s attitudes,
beliefs and behavior. 17
 Networks

▰ Sociologists use the concept “network” to understand the complex world of

social groups. A network refers to the structure of relationship between
social actors or groups. These are interconnections, ties, and linkages
between people, their groups, and the larger social institutions to which all
they belong to. In this age, a good example of networks are those provided
by social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.
▰ Modern society only identifies their networks limited to kinship while
modern society can be diverse, expansive and overlapping social networks.
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QUESTIONS?

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THANK YOU FOR
LISTENING! 

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