An essential component of social life is the vast network of social groups we li
ID: 3445821 • Letter: A
Question
An essential component of social life is the vast network of social groups we live within and experience social life through. These groups can be primary groups or secondary groups, in groups or out groups, and many become reference groups. All these groups also represent social networks. Please define each of these terms. An essential component of social life is the vast network of social groups we live within and experience social life through. These groups can be primary groups or secondary groups, in groups or out groups, and many become reference groups. All these groups also represent social networks. Please define each of these terms.Explanation / Answer
Primary groups are social groups which are small in number and share a close bond with each other. Examples of this are family members and close friends or childhood friends. Secondary groups may be small or large in number and share an impersonal bond with each other and the relationships may not be long lasting. Examples of it are work colleagues or high school classmates who are acquaintances.
In groups are groups which people belong to and identify with, and out groups are groups which they do not belong to and do not identify with. Examples of this are sports teams, religious groups or ethnic groups. A reference group is a group which an individual compares themselves to evaluate ones own behavior to. For example a new lawyer may compare himself to the standards, work ethics and salary of other renowned lawyers.