The Group Definition and characteristics of small groups

The Group -Definition and characteristics of small groups -classification and types of groups

Definition of small groups l “By group we mean any collection of human beings who are brought into social relationship with one another”(Maciver and Page) l “Social group may be thought as a number of persons, who have some common objects of attention who are stimulating one another”(Bogardus)

“ a social group is an aggregate of individuals in which (i) definite relations exists between the individuals comprising it, and (ii) each individual is conscious of the group itself and its symbols” (Bottomore) l “A social group is a given aggregate of people playing inter-related roles and recognised by others or themselves as a unit of interaction. (Williams) l

“a group is an aggregate of individuals which persists in time, which has one or more interests and activities in common, and which is organized” (Arnold Green) l “a group is a plurality of people as actors involved in a pattern of social interaction conscious of sharing common understanding and of accepting some rights and obligations that accrue only to the members” (Mckee) l

Characteristics of a group l Collection of individuals l Meaningful interactions or relationships l Common understanding l Common interests l Reciprocity l Mutual awareness l Collective behaviours

Difference between groups and collectivities (group situations and togetherness situations) In a togetherness situation, participating individuals do not have stabilized status and role relationships-And hence no established expectations from each other. l In a group situation, interaction among individuals takes place against the background of established relationships among them and hence reflects stabilized expectations among them. l

l The groupness of the group consists primarily of established reciprocities (status and roles) among individual members and a set of norms(standards or values) that they share in common.

l“ a group is a social unit which consists of a number of individuals who stand in(more or less) definite status and role relationships to one another and which possesses a set of values or norms of its own regulating the behaviour of individual members, at least in matters of consequence to the group”(Sherif &Sherif)

Properties essential in formation and functioning of small groups l Common motives conducive to interaction among individuals l Differential effects of interaction on participants, determined increasingly by the structure and norms peculiar to the group as togetherness situations tend toward group formation.

l Formation of a group structure(organization) consisting of roles and hierarchical statuses and, consequently, a clear cut demarcation of the in-group from others. l Standardization of values or norms which regulate relationships and activities of consequence to the group.

Classification of groups

Criteria of classifying groups l Size- eg. Simmel –monad, dyad and triad l Degree of quality of social interaction/degree of intimacy of contactseg. intimate face-to-face groupings and more impersonal larger collectives l Range of group interests- specific to nonspecific l Degree of organization l Natural and formed groups

l Whatever be the nature of groups, be it natural or formed, reference, in-group or out group etc. It is essential to understand these all. Because the group worker continuously encounters and works with all such groups and group sentiments.

Types of groups l Primary groups- face-to-face groups based on direct personal contacts and informal and intimate relationship l Secondary groups-rests on indirect, secondary and formal contacts l Reference groups-any group accepted as model or guide for judgement and action

l In-Groups and Out-Groups-In-groups are those groups to which individuals belong and towards which they have a sense of pride and strong loyalty. Out-groups are the groups to which we do not belong and towards which we may feel contempt and even hostility. These identifications with their respective groups become more prominent in times of conflict or competition.

Natural and Formed groups are those that come together through some outside influence or intervention. They usually have some sponsorship or affiliation and are convened for a particular purpose. Eg. Educational groups, social action groups, thrapeutic groups l Natural groups come together spontaneously on the basis of naturally occuring events, interpersonal attraction, or the mutually perceived needs of the members. eg. Family, peer groups etc. l

Task and Treatment groups Treatment group is used to signify a group whose major purpose is to meet member’s socio -emotional needs. purpose includes meeting members’ needs for support, education, therapy growth or socialization. l Task group signifies a group in which the overriding purpose is to accomplish a goal that is neither intrinsically nor immediately linked to the needs of the members of the group, the purpose is to accomplish a goal that will affect a broader constituency, not just the members of the group l

Typology of treatment groups l Support Groups use supportive intervention strategies as their primary goal; to help members cope with stressful life events and to revitalize and enhance coping abilities so they can effectively adapt to and cope with future stressful life events

Educational Groups are aimed at increasing members’ information and skills l Growth Groups aims to offer opportunities for the members to become aware of, expand, and change their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours and the group is used as a vehicle to develop members’ capabilities to the fullest, these groups focus on promoting socio-emotional health rather than remediating socio-emotional illness l

l Therapy Groups help members change dysfunctional behaviour, cope with, ameliorate problems and rehabilitate after physical, psychological or social trauma. Therapy groups are distinguished from support groups by their focus on remediation and rehabilitation.

l Socialization. Groups help members learn social skills “and socially accepted behaviour patterns so that they function effectively in the community’

Task Groups Task groups have three primary purposes l Meeting client needs eg. staff development. l Meeting organisational needs eg. board of directors, cabinets, committees l Serving community needs include social action groups, coalitions and delegate councils l