What is a Social Group, Society, and Community? Types with Examples
A man cannot live alone. From birth to death, we live with others. Sociology studies these relationships through concepts like social group, society, and community.
*1. What is a Social Group?*
A social group is a collection of two or more people who interact frequently, share a sense of unity, and have common goals. There is a structure and norms.
*2. What is Society?*
Society is not a group of people. Society is a _system of relationships_ and patterns of interaction among individuals. A society is abstract, while a group is concrete.
*3. Types of Social Groups*
*a) Primary Group:* Small, intimate, face-to-face interaction for a long time. Emotional bonding is strong.
_Example: Family, close friends, peer group._
*b) Secondary Group:* Large, formal, and goal-oriented. Interaction is indirect and temporary.
_Example: Office colleagues, a hospital staff, political party._
*c) In-group and Out-group:* In-group is the group we belong to ("We"), Out-group is the group we see as "They". Example: My school is my in-group, the rival school team is out-group.
*d) Reference Group:* A group we do not belong to, but we aspire to be like. Example: During the British period, many Indians imitated English lifestyle and accent.
*4. Community vs Association*
*Community:* People living in a definite territory, sharing a common culture and a strong sense of belongingness or 'we-feeling'. It is natural.
_Example: A village community, tribal community._
*Association:* A group created artificially for a specific purpose. Membership is voluntary.
_Example: Student Association, Teachers Association, Cricket Club._
*5. What is Social Stratification?*
Social stratification means the layering of society into hierarchical levels. It is a form of social inequality where resources are distributed unequally.
For example, in healthcare, rich people can afford private hospitals with better facilities, while poor people depend on government hospitals. This inequality affects their life chances.
*Two bases of stratification in India:*
*a) Caste System:* In traditional society, caste was based on birth and occupation - Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra. Untouchability was practiced. In modern India, discrimination based on caste is punishable by law under the SC/ST Act, but caste still influences marriage and politics.
*b) Class System:* Class is based on economic status, education, and wealth. Unlike caste, a person can change their class through hard work. For example, a person from a poor family can become a doctor.
*6. Status and Role*
Status is a position you occupy, Role is the behavior expected from that status. Example: The status of a Doctor carries the role of treating patients.
*7. What is Social Control?*
Social control is how society regulates individual behavior.
- *Formal Control:* Laws made by the government - Police, Courts, Constitution.
- *Informal Control:* Unwritten rules made by family, religion, and customs. Example: Family rule that children should return home by 8 PM. No law says this, but families enforce it.
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