INSTRUSTIONS: Please read and understand the module and answer the activities

(Motivational Activity, Activity 1 and Activity 2), write your answer in a short / A4 size bond
paper.

Understanding Culture, Society and Politics/

Quarter 2
Module 6: Forms and Functions of Social Organization

The module is divided into three lessons, namely:

Lesson 1- Concepts of Social Group and Social Organization
Lesson 2- Characteristics of Social Group
Lesson 3- Types of Social Group/Organization

Motivational Activity
On the box below list the different things you have at this moment (e.g. timepiece, clothes,
jewelry,shoes, wallet, etc.)

Questions: 1. Who are the people instrumental in producing said things?

___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
2. Are they important to you? Why?
______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________

Lesson 1- Concepts of Social Group and Social

Organization

Concepts of Social Group and Social Organization

Homans (1950) defines a group as collection of two or more persons who are in social interaction, who
are guided by similar norms, values, and expectations, and who maintain a stable pattern of relations over a
period of time.
Donald Light (1984) defines a group as set of individuals who identify and interact with one another in
a structured way based on shared values and goals
 Social group is a unit of interacting personalities with interdependence of roles and statuses existing
between and among themselves. It is a collection of people who interact with each other in accordance with the
position they occupy in the society.
On the other hand, social organization refers to a type of collectivity established for the pursuit of the
specific aims or goals, characterized by a formal structure of rules, authority relations, a division of labor and
limited membership or admission (Jarry, D. 1995).
Fundamentally, society with a group of individuals called a social group. A social group exists when at
least two people are in contact and commonly stimulating and reacting with each other through language both
verbal and non-verbal. This shared between inter-stimulation and reaction between at least two people and
groups is referred to as social interaction.
When interaction persists often enough, a pattern of a social relation exists which is reciprocal in nature
that is, the behavior of the interactants derives its meaning from his relation to the other person or persons
involved. Examples of social relations are husband and wife, mother and daughter, teacher and students,
employer and employee, and so on.
This reciprocal social relation also results to the development of social status and a corresponding social
role. A social status is a collection of rights and duties that goes with a position in a group. A status may be
ascribed or achieved. An ascribed status is the status by virtue of one’s birth. He does not have a choice or
decision on the matter such as his sex, age, gender, kinship, religion or nationality at birth.

An achieved status, on the other hand, is where an individual may acquire by virtue of his own efforts,
use of intelligence and skills, choice, or through some stroke of good fortune. This can be through marriage,
occupation, profession, education, financial acumen, industry or lotto winning.
The pattern of behavior that accompanies a status is a social role. Every person inhabits a number of
statuses and plays the corresponding varied roles at different stages of his life and to the different social groups
to which he belongs and depending upon which social relationship is effect at any particular time. Example a
child can play the role of son or daughter in a father-son or father-daughter relationship in the family at home or
play the role of a student in a teacher-student relationship in his or her school group. Later on, when he or she is
matured enough he can play the role of husband or wife in a husband-wife relationship or play the role of an
employee in an employer-employee relationship in his or her workplace.

Lesson 2- Characteristics of Social Group

Characteristics of Social Group

The basis of grouping can be numerous, but the division of the population based on their age, sex,
income and profession can provide various types of social groups.

The 12 Most Important Characteristics of Social Group is listed below:

1. Given number of Individual
A social group consists of a given number of individuals. Without a number of individuals, no
social group can be formed. Two or more than that individual are necessary to form a group. This
number may vary. These individuals belong to the group as members of the group and are considered
as unit of the group.
2. Reciprocal Relations
There exist reciprocal relations among the members of a social group. These reciprocal relations
among the members are the basis or foundation of social group without which social group cannot be
formed. The members must interact or interrelated with each other.
 3. Common Goals
It is another important characteristic of a social group. The aims, objectives and ideals of the
members are common. For the fulfilment of these common goals social groups are formed. Here
individual interests are sacrificed for group interests.
4. Sense of unity and solidarity
Members of a social group are always tied by a sense of unity and bond of solidarity, common
goals and mutual relations strengthens this bond of unity and solidarity. This creates loyalty and
sympathy among the members of social group.

5. A strong sense of awe-feeling

Members of a social group is characterized by a strong sense of awe-feeling. This we- feeling
fosters co-operation among members. Because of this we- feeling the members identify themselves
with the group and consider others as outsiders.
6. Group Norms
Every social group has its own, regulations and norms which the members are supposed to
follow. With the help of these rules and norms the group exercises control over its members. These
norms may be written or unwritten. Any violation of group norms is followed by punishment. The
group norms maintain unity and integrity in the group.
7. Similar Behavior
Members of a social group show similar behavior. As the interests, ideals and values of a group
are common hence its members behave in a similar manner. This similar behavior helps in the
achievement of common goals.
8. Awareness
Members of a social group are aware about the membership which distinguishes them from
others. This is perhaps due to ‘the consciousness of kind’ as opined by Giddings.
9. Group Control
Social group exercises some sort of control over its members and over their activities. This
control may be direct or indirect. Of course, group exercises control only over non-conformists or
deviants
10. Social groups may be permanent or temporary in nature.
There are permanent groups likes family and temporary groups like crowd, mob etc
11. Social groups are dynamic in nature.
It is not static. It responds to different changes. The nature of change may be slow or rapid but it
is bound to occur.
Lesson
12. . Social groups have3- Types ofpatterns
established Social
Group/Organization

TYPES OF SOCIAL GROUPS

1. According to Social Ties
a. Primary Group
• The most fundamental unit of human society
• A long and lasting group whose members have intimate, personal continuous face-to-face
relationships.
• Characterized by strong ties of love and affection.
• The do’s and don’ts of behavior are learned here.
Examples: families, gangs, cliques, play groups, friendship groups
b. Secondary Groups
• Groups with which the individual comes in contact later in life.
• Characterized by impersonal, business-like, contractual, formal and casual relationship.
• Usually large in size, not very enduring and with limited relationships.
 • People need other people for the satisfaction of their complex needs. Examples:
industrial workers, business associates, faculty staff, company employees

2. According to Self-identification
a. In-group
• A social unit in which individuals feel home and with which they identify.
b. Out-group
• A social unit to which individuals do not belong due to differences in certain
social categories and with which they do not identify. c. Reference group or
psychological group
• Groups to which we consciously or unconsciously refer when we try to evaluate
our own life situations and behavior, but to which we do not necessarily belong.
• It serves a comparison function.
• It has a normative function.
3. According to Purpose
a. Special interest groups
• Groups which are organized to meet the special interest of the member
b. Task Group
• Group assigned to accomplish jobs which cannot be done by one person. c.
Influence or pressure groups.
• Group organized to support or influence social actions
4. According to geographical location and degree or quality relationship
a. Gemeinschaft
• A social system in which most relationship is personal or t raditional.
• It is a community of intimate, private and exclusive living and familism.
• Culture is homogenous and traditional.
b. Gesselschaft
• A social system in which most relationships are impersonal, formal, contractual
or bargain-like.
• Relationship is individualistic, business-like, secondary and rationalized.
• Culture is heterogenous and more advanced.

5. According to form of organization

a. Formal groups
• Social organization
• Deliberately formed, and their purpose and objectives are explicitly defined.
• Their goals are clearly stated and the division of labor is based on member’s
ability or merit.
• Have a certain type of administrative structure called “bureaucracy”.

Bureaucracy
• A hierarchical arrangement in large-scale formal organizations in which
parts of the organization are ordered in the manner of a pyramid based on
a division of function and authority. (Weber, M. 1965)
• Formal, rationally organized social structure

Weber (1965) identified the following characteristics in a bureaucracy:

1. Positions and offices are clearly defined.
2. The hierarchical arrangements of authority, rights and obligations are
specifically drawn and clear-cut.
 3. The personnel are selected on the basis of technical or professional
qualification and expert training and competence through competitive
examination.
4. Definite rules govern official behavior.
5. Security of tenure and the pursuit of a career with promotion in the
hierarchy are assured.

b. Informal groups.
• Arises spontaneously out of the interactions of two or more persons.
• It is unplanned
• Has no explicit rules for membership, and does not have specific objectives to
be attained.
• It has the characteristics of primary groups and members are bound by emotions
and sentiments.
Processing Questions:
1. What are the characteristics of Social Group?
2. Why do we need to identify different characteristics of Social Group?
3. Why Social groups are dynamic?