Introduction To Sociology

Class: BWP-BSTOUR-3RD
Group and Social Role
and Socialization
Groups
• In sociology, a group is usually defined as a
number of people who identify and interact with
one another. This is a very broad definition, as it
includes groups of all sizes, from parts to whole
societies.
• While an aggregate comprises merely a number of
individuals, a group in sociology exhibits
cohesiveness to a larger degree.
• Aspects that members in the group may share
include: interests, values, ethnic/linguistic
background, roles and kinship.
Groups
• One way of determining if a collection of people
can be considered a group is if individuals who
belong to that collection use the self-referent
pronoun "we;"using "we" to refer to a collection
of people often implies that the collection thinks
of itself as a group.
• Examples of groups include: families,
companies, circles of friends, clubs, local
chapters of fraternities and sororities, and local
religious congregations.
Types of Group
• In sociology we distinguish between two types of
groups based upon their characteristics.
Primary Group
Secondary Group
Primary group
• A Primary group is typically a small social
group whose members share close, personal,
enduring relationships.
• These groups are marked by concern for one
another, shared activities and culture, and long
periods of time spent together.
• The goal of primary groups is actually the
relationships themselves rather than achieving
some other purpose. Families and close friends
are examples of primary groups.
Secondary Group
• Secondary groups are large groups whose relationships are
impersonal and goal-oriented. Some secondary groups may
last for many years, though most are short term. Such groups
also begin and end with very little significance in the lives of
the people involved.
• People in a secondary group interact on a less personal level
than in a primary group.
• Rather than having as the goal the maintenance and
development of the relationships themselves, these groups
generally come together to accomplish a specific purpose.
• Since secondary groups are established to perform functions,
people’s roles are more interchangeable.
• Examples of secondary groups include: classmates in a college
course, athletic teams, and co-workers.
Distinction between primary and secondary
groups
• The distinction between primary and secondary
groups was originally proposed by Charles
Horton Cooley.
• He labeled groups as "primary" because people
often experience such groups early in their life
and such groups play an important role in the
development of personal identity.
• Secondary groups generally develop later in life
and are much less likely to be influential on
one's identity.
Social Roles
• Social roles are a socially defined pattern of
behavior that is expected of persons who occupy
a certain social position or belong to a particular
social category.
• Social roles are the particular behaviors an
individual exhibits within a given status.
• For example, someone with the status of a
parent has to fulfill the role of a gentle caregiver
at certain times and also a stern lesson-provider
in other moments
Social Roles
• A role set consists of numerous roles attached to a status.
• These roles have different responsibilities and
expectations that an individual is responsible for carrying
out in order to successfully meet their status' obligations.
• Below are some examples of statuses with accompanying
roles that someone might play throughout their day-to-
day life.
• Church member - play the role of pastor and counselor
• Community volunteer - play the role of event organizer
• Grandson - play the role of aid to elderly family
members
The Role Theory
The role theory in regards to social roles in sociology explains that role
expectations differ between cultures, change over time, and that there can
be multiple roles per single status.
• Role theory is founded upon six basic propositions:
• The division of labor takes place between hierarchical formations of roles.
• Social roles are created and guided by social norms. When one deviates
from the norm, they are typically not fulfilling their social role.
• Roles are played by "actors" or people who occupy them as a part of their
status.
• When someone takes the responsibility of a role it is expected that they
fulfill that roles' requirements or else they will be punished or looked
down on.
• Roles can change as a result of social pressure and time.
• Individuals often complete the requirements of the role in order to
achieve a certain benefit or reward.
The Role Theory
• There are different ways of viewing role theory,
such as structural-functionalism role theory, or
the idea that everyone has a role to fulfill in
society.
• This conflicts with the idea of dramaturgical role
theory, wherein the person's identity shifts
depending on what role they are aiming to fulfill.
Criticisms to role theory include an emphasis on
this idea of universality in role theory and
conformity.
SOCIALIZATION
• Socialization is the process by which children
and adults learn from others.
• Many people think that socialization is especially
important for infants and children.
• Psychologists now realize that socialization
continues all across the life span, as long as
people continue to learn from social experiences.
How socialization is important
Socialization converts man, the biological
being into man, the social being.
• Man is not born social.
Helps to became disciplined.
• Socialization is social learning.
• It is the values, ideals, aims and objectives of life
and the means of attaining them.
How socialization is important
Socialization contributes to the
development of personality.
• Personality is a product of society.
• Socialization is a process through which the
personality of the new born child is shaped and
molded.
• Through the process, the child learns an
approved way of social life.
• At the same time, it also provides enough scope
for the individual to develop his individuality.
How socialization is important
Helps to enact different roles.
• Every individual has to enact different roles in
his life.
• Every role is woven around norms and is
associated with different attitudes.
• The process of socialization assists an individual
not only to learn the norms associated with roles
but also to develop appropriate attitudes to enact
those roles.
How socialization is important
 Provides the knowledge of skills.
• Socialization skills help the individual to play
economic, professional, educational, religious
and political roles in his latter life.
• In primitive societies for, example, imparting
skills to the younger generation in specific
occupations was an important aspect of
socialization.
WAYS OF SOCIALIZATION
Socialization starts with the face and the
body language.
• A smile indicates your willingness to know more
about the event and the people attending it.
• It guarantees you a higher probability of winning
the interest of people that you might no longer
need to make the first move to engage in
conversations.
WAYS OF SOCIALIZATION
 Keep a clean sense of humor.
• If you have the natural knack of making people
laugh, then you would find it easy to socialize.
 Maintain an open and positive frame of
mind.
• When joining a social activity, you should
expect to encounter people of varied beliefs,
nationality, religion, orientation and
sensibilities.
WAYS OF SOCIALIZATION
 Be attentive throughout the
conversation.
• Showing a sincere interest in what others are
saying inspires a fruitful exchange of ideas.
Respect the distance and personal space
of others.
• You may radiate with well-mannered interactive
skills, but if others refuse to reciprocate your
enthusiasm, move to another group that seems
to be more welcoming.
Types of socialization
Primary socialization
It takes place in the early years of life of the new
born individual.
Development socialization
• This kind of learning is based on the
achievements of primary socialization.
Anticipatory socialization
• Men not only learn the culture of the group of
which th.ey are immediate members
Types of socialization
Re socialization
It is not only do individuals change roles within
groups, but they also change membership – groups.
Broad socialization
It is intended to promote independence, individualism
and self expression.
Narrow socialization
It is intended to promote obedient and conformity
Natural socialization
Occurs when infants and young starts explore, play
and discover the social word.
Types of socialization
Positive socialization
positive socialization is the social learning that is
best on pleasure existing experience
Negative socialization
negative socialization occurred when others use
punishment.