Understanding Culture Society and Politics (Soc Sci 01)
Week 5
5.0 How Society is Organized
by: Mrs. Liezel P. Elcamel, LPT, LRTG
In this module, you will spend 390 minutes to
a. Explain the different types of social groups;
b. Identify one’s role in social groups, organizations,
and institutions; and
c. Define social institutions.
All societies are organized around an unequal division of labor and decision-
making. Modern societies are expected to provide protection, law and order,
economic security and a sense of belonging to their members. Trying to
understand how societies organize themselves is the goal of social
sciences(Factmonster, 2019).
In the social sciences, a social group is two or more humans who interact with one
another, share similar characteristics, and have a collective sense of unity. This is
a very broad definition, as it includes groups of all sizes, from dyads to whole
societies. A society can be viewed as a large group, though most social groups are
considerably smaller. Society can also be viewed as people who interact with one
another, sharing similarities pertaining to culture and territorial boundaries
(Lumen, n.d.). As cited by Lumen (n.d.), Muzafer Sherif, a renowned social
psychologist, formulated a technical definition of a social group. It is a social unit
consisting of a number of individuals interacting with each other with respect to
common motives and goals, an accepted division of labor, established status
relationships, accepted norms and values with reference to matters relevant to the
group, and the development of accepted sanctions, such as raise and punishment,
when norm were respected or violated. As defined by Amper, Bersales and Nolasco
(2016), a social group is a number of people who interact on a regular basis, are
bound together by roles and statuses and a distinctive set of relationships, and
who feel a sense of unity and common identity. To add, it affects everyone and are
organized in many different ways. But not all collections of people are social
groups, this refers to social aggregate, a collection of people who just happened to
be in one place at the same time and who are hardly unaware of each other. On
the other hand, a social category refers to a collection of people who share similar
characteristics but are engaged in a patterned social interaction and do not have a
common identity of membership. The absence of frequent and patterned
interaction and a distinctive set of relationships mean that a mere collection of
people is not a group. A social group necessarily involves two or more persons
relating to and influencing one another, developing a sense of belonging and a
feeling of common membership (Amper, Bersales, and Nolasco, 2016).
This topic highlights the importance of human interaction within the groups.
SOC SCI 01 SHS MODULE 5 v 2020
2
Motivation
Box Activity
To begin this topic, let us give a simple definition
of a box. Merriam-Webster (2020) defined box as
a rigid typically rectangular container with or
without a cover; the contents of a box is as a
measure of quantity; an often small space,
compartment or enclosure; and a box or boxlike
container and its contents. Actually, we can define
as many meanings for a box.
Like a box, we all are social beings and we enjoy
being with others who share our interests.
However, sometimes it is difficult to understand what keeps us isolated from
others that are not in our social group-- or "Box."
This time, close your eyes and envision all the people that they are close
to, limiting at this time to friends, not family. You draw a mental “box” around
yourselves and your friends.
Now, reflect on the qualities or characteristics that draw you to someone.
Again, look in your box and think about the characteristics you have heard from
someone. Reflect on which one has meaning for you, which one is not so
important, and whether or not your box contain people who meet your desired
characteristics. Then, visualize who among the group you want to push away
and why; reflect as to how other group judge your box, and how you feel about
it?
My Box (You may use this space for you to write.)
Instruction
In the first activity, you have classified your box and identified certain
group of people that are attached to you. It is clear that human beings
enter into any relationship with each other, the bond that you create with the
help of such relationships in each case becomes a social unit. The social units
may first take the shape of groups and then enlarge yourselves into social
associations (Mundra, 2017). So in this section, let us examine the different
types of groups.
(1) Primary Group
This concept was introduced by Charles Horton Cooley. As cited by
Mondal (n.d.), in the words of C.H. Cooley “By primary groups I mean
those characterized by intimate face to face association and
cooperation. They are primary, in several senses, but chiefly in that
they are fundamental in framing the social nature and ideal, of the
individual. It is usually small, is characterized by extensive interaction
and strong emotional ties, and endures over time. Members of such
groups care a lot about each other and identify strongly with the
group. Indeed, your membership in a primary group gives you much of
your social identity and give you emotional warmth and comfort in
good times and bad and provide you an identity and a strong sense of
loyalty and belonging.
(2) Secondary Group
It is a larger and more impersonal and exist, often for a relatively
short time, to achieve a specific purpose. Secondary group members
feel less emotionally attached to each other than do primary group
members and do not identify as much with their group nor feel as loyal
to it. But, it does not mean secondary groups are unimportant, as
society could not exist without them, but they still do not provide the
potential emotional benefits for their members that primary groups
ideally do. According to Amper, Bersales, and Nolasco (2016), it is
characterized by secondary relationships, and members interact in
terms of specific contractual obligations. The ties are impersonal and
temporary, and involve limited aspects of a person’s life.
(3) Reference Group
As defined by University of Minnesota, reference group is a group
groups that you look to for guidance in order to evaluate our behaviors
and attitudes. It is basically generalized versions of role models. You
may or may not belong to the group, but you use its standards of
measurement as a frame of reference. Both your in-groups and
primary groups, are people who are especially important to you in
shaping your values, attitudes and beliefs. Kdaski (2017) it is defined
reference group as it provides normative function by formulating and
enforcing code of conduct. To get an approval of a group an individual
have to follow the dictates of a group. Another function of reference
group is comparison function. An actor will compare himself with the
members of reference group (group of actors).
Social Group Video Presentation
Click the link below to view the video.
Social Groups: Crash Course
Instruction
(4) In-Group
According to Mundra (2017), members of the in-group have very close
relations with each other and their loyalty to the group and to each
other is very pronounced. The group-feeling or the group-spirit makes
the members of this group very conscious of the fact that they belong
together, as in the case of family members, persons who share
common living surroundings, or persons who belong to a particular
nation.
(5) Out-Group
The out-group would stand for a collection of individuals for whom a
set of individuals have a feeling of dislike, animosity or even hostility
or hatred. Instead of hatred or dislike, there may exist a mere feeling
of strangeness towards a group and even that would create an out-
group. It is any group or collection of people to which a person feels
that he/she does not belong or identifies with.
Formal Organizations Video Presentation
Click the link below to view the video.
Formal Organizations: Crash Course
How do formal organizations differ from small groups? Formal
Organizations exist in the modern society because they help to fulfill tasks in
the most efficient manner. In sociological terms, a formal organization is
defined as a large and complex secondary group that is deliberately created and
organized to achieve specific goals. A corporation, business enterprise, school,
and government agency are examples of formal organizations. It is bureaucratic
in nature. Max Weber, a sociologist, developed a formalized structure called
bureaucracy because he believed that formal organizations must not be
managed informally. It is defined in terms of six characteristics.
These are:
(1) Clear-cut division of labor. This is to align employees with
organizational tasks of the office or company. With division of labor
and work specialization, one is required to focus and work on tasks
which he/she is assigned because of experience or expertise.
(2) Formal written records. These are used to document all rules,
regulations, procedures, decisions, and actions taken by the
organization and its members to preserve consistency and
accountability. A school manual or a standard operating procedure is a
good example of formal records.
(3) Hierarchy of authority and chain of command. A well-defined formal
hierarchy and chain of command distinguishes the level of authority
within an organization. Individuals who hold higher positions will
supervise and direct lower positions within the hierarchy.
(4) Well-stated rules and regulations. Management by rules and
regulations provides a set of standard operating procedures that
facilitate consistency in both organizational and management
practices.
Enrichment
My Social Group
In this section, you probably understood the different types of
social groups. So you will list down your social group that you belong. You may
give examples per classification.
PRIMARY SECONDARY REFERENCE IN-GROUP OUT-GROUP
Total Score:
(3x5=15)
(1) How do the groups that you are part of
affect you?
(2) How do you, in turn, affect those groups?
Evaluation
Social Institutions
For any society to survive, it has to meet its basic needs, including
reproduction, knowledge transmission and provisioning, among others. A
society is composed of individuals who also have needs to be satisfied by the
society they belong to.
Social institutions provide a framework to the basic areas of social life
that goes beyond the face-to-face social interactions among individuals. The
major social institutions include the family, religions, education, economy,
polity and health care. Each social institution has functions that are interrelated
with the functions of the others. A dysfunction in one institution affects the
others and thus affects the entire society.
Social Institutions Video Presentation
Click the link below to view the video.
Social Institutions: System Innovation https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=PerZu4Tcif0
Earlier, it has been presented the topic on how are you related with a
social group and how these groups affect you or you affect the group. Each
individual occupies different statuses and roles in various social groups and
behaves based on your society’s norms.
Base from your own understanding, what is social institution?
What are the different functions of social institutions?
Family
Economics
Religion
Education
Political
Health Care
Item 1-3pts; Item 2- 2pts each
Amper, Z., Bersales, J., and Nolasco, M. (2016). Knowing the Social World. Cebu
City: University of San Carlos Press.
Facmonster (2019). DK Society and Beliefs: Societies. Retrieved from
https://www.factmonster.com/dk/encyclopedia/society-and-
beliefs/societies#:~:text=All%20societies%20are%20organized%20around,
goal%20of%20the%20SOCIAL%20SCIENCES. On July 24, 2020.
Kdaski (2017). Types of Social Groups in Sociology. Retrieved from
https://www.sociologylearners.com/types-of-social-groups-in-sociology/ on
July 24, 2020.
Lumen (n.d.) Types of Social Groups. Retrieved from
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-sociology/chapter/types-of-
social-groups/ on July 24, 2020.
Mundra, A. (2017). Social Groups: Features, Types of Group and Their Goals.
Retrieved from https://www.sociologydiscussion.com/social-groups/social-
groups-features-types-of-group-and-their-goals/2449 on July 24, 2020.
Mondal, P. (n.d.) Social Groups: The Meaning, Characteristics, Classification, and
other details. Retrieved from
https://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/society/social-groups-the-meaning-
characteristics-classification-and-other-details-7041-words/8510 on July 24,
2020.
