WHAT IS A SOCIETY? society is a network of social relationships. Social relationships are the way in which people related to one Another in their interactions as members of a group i.e the human relationship or interaction is what makes up a society. According to Ely Chinoy (1967), sees society as the basic fact of Human Association. In other words, according to Adebisi and Akinpade “A society can be conceived in its widest sense to include every kind and degree of relationship entered into by men. Whether such relationships are organized or unorganized, direct or indirect, conscious or otherwise. Cooperative or. Antagonistic, this definition tends to cover all forms of human relationships, that boundaries or assignable limits.
TYPES OF SOCIETY. Sociologists have consistently identified two types of. Society.
Traditional Society: the Society, is characterised by communual living in which individuals are similar and held together by common values Modern society.
SOCIAL GROUPS. The existence of human social groups provides society with it’s structural organisation. It is in this social groups that human relationships takes place thereby providing the context within which most of the human needs are effectively satisfied. In summary, the interactions that takes places in different social groups is what forms a society.
Social groups are so important to the sociologist because they exert great influence on both the human behavior and the society at large. Every individual belongs to a social group (family, school, peer group, religious organisation etc in which he/she participates and is affected by other members. I.e The social groups one belong to directly or indirectly influences ones behaviour and to fully understand human behaviour , sociologist studies the interactions that happens within groups as well as the relationships of the groups to each other and the society as a whole.
To a layman, a social group is simply a group or cluster of people. But to give a proper definition of a social group one must put into consideration these various concept namely PEOPLE, INSTITUTION,RELATIONSHIP (SOCIAL INTERACTION) AND IDENTIFICATION.
*Now WHAT IS A SOCIAL GROUP*
It is a collection of individuals two or more that reflects social phenomenon or in which
individuals within such collectivity interact and influence one another in a predictable way. It involves two or more people who communicate with one another share some rules which govern the unit, identify with one another and each individual in the group is expected to perform roles with benefits the entire group in accordance to the social position he/she holds in the group. Examples of social groups are, Family, peer groups(friends), schools, political parties, industries, tertiary institutions etc. TYPES OF SOCIAL GROUP. PRIMARY GROUP: the primary group has an informal structure, where relationships and interactions are informal, intimate nd face to face. Members maintain a close and personal ties to another. Examples of a primary groups are; It 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. FAMILY, FRIENDS, PEER GROUPS etc. SECONDARY GROUP: they are groups that are officially structured with a formal setting. Where interactions and relationship are impersonal, official and goal-oriented. Unlike first groups, secondary groups are large groups whose relationships are impersonal and goal oriented. People in a secondary group interact on a less personal level than in a primary group, and their relationships are generally temporary rather than long lasting. Some secondary groups may last for many years, though most are short term. Secondary groups are also groups in which one exchanges explicit commodities, such as labor for wages, services for payments, etc. Examples of these would be employment, vendor-to client relationships, a doctor, a mechanic, an accountant, and such. A university class, an athletic team, and workers in an office all likely form secondary groups. Primary groups can form within secondary groups as relationships become more personal and close.
CHARACTERISTICS OF SOCIAL GROUPS.
GROUP GOAL: Social groups develop goals which they strive to achieve. Such goals, maybe objects, situations or satisfactions. For example, the goal of a nuclear family might be the attainment of pleasant and personality building relationships. That is satisfaction. Group goals may be formal or informal. Formal goals are characteristics of secondary groups, and such goals are clearly stated and understood by all the group members. They may be stated in form of a constitution that is set of laws of the group. That is, it might be written in a book or not. While informal goals are not clearly stated by the group In the form of bylaws and not consciously recognized by the members, that is. It is not written in a book. But has an idea consciously or unconsciously what the group goals are. GROUP ROLES: The existence of a social group over a period of time leads to the emergence of group rules. Such group roles evolve very soon in formally organized groups, usually through the election of officers or recruitment and placement process. In Informal groups roles developed much slowly, however some division of Labor usually takes place as different members begin to accept and carry out specific responsibilities. This division of Labor. Within the group is called role allocation or group roles. A role is defined as the behavior expected of a person because of the position he or she occupies in the group. GROUP NORMS: In every social group, there exists a specific set of code of conduct that guide the activities of the members. Such rules or code of conduct that individual members of the group must obey to effectively participate in group activities are called norms. Members must conform to the norms, that is, rules and regulation to allow for the smooth running and achievement of the group goals. Each member of the group is expected to obey the norms. GROUP SANCTIONS: Social groups enforce conformity to their norms, that is, rules and regulation. By applying sanctions. The sanctions are aimed at reducing disagreements within the group to the various minimum. In order to promote high level of group consensus and sanity in the group, sanctions are applied. Sanctions come in two forms, rewards or punishment. In the case of non conformity to group norms l.e(disobeying the rules and regulation) members are punished while the members who confirm to the norms( obey the rules and regulations) is rewarded.
