Skip to main content
-
-
5.1: Types of Groups
-
Groups largely define how we think of ourselves. There are two main types of groups: primary and secondary. As the names suggest, the primary group is the long-term, complex one. People use groups as standards of comparison to define themselves—both who they are and who they are not. Sometimes groups can be used to exclude people or as a tool that strengthens prejudice.
-
-
5.2: The Psychology of Groups
-
-
-
5.3: Group Dynamics
-
-
-
-
5.4: Group Size and Structure
-
The size and dynamic of a group greatly affects how members act. Primary groups rarely have formal leaders, although there can be informal leadership. Groups generally are considered large when there are too many members for a simultaneous discussion. In secondary groups there are two types of leadership functions, with expressive leaders focused on emotional health and wellness, and instrumental leaders more focused on results. Further, there are different leadership styles.
-
-
5.5: Group Dynamics and Behavior
-
Social scientists have studied how people behave in groups and how groups affect their behavior, attitudes, and perceptions. Their research underscores the importance of groups for social life, but it also points to the dangerous influences groups can sometimes have on their members.
-
-
5.6: Formal Organizations
-
Large organizations fall into three main categories: normative/voluntary, coercive, and utilitarian. We live in a time of contradiction: while the pace of change and technology are requiring people to be more nimble and less bureaucratic in their thinking, large bureaucracies like hospitals, schools, and governments are more hampered than ever by their organizational format. At the same time, the past few decades have seen the development of a trend to bureaucratize.
-
-
5.7: Groups, Organizations, and Social Change
-
As we consider ways to try to improve our society, the role of groups and organizations becomes very important. This section briefly considers this importance.
-
-
5.8: Social Categorization and Stereotyping
-
-
-
5.9: Ingroup Favoritism and Prejudice
-
-
-
5.10: Social Comparison
-
When athletes compete in a race, they are able to observe and compare their performance against those of their competitors. In the same way, all people naturally engage in mental comparisons with the people around them during the course of daily life. These evaluations can impact our motivation and feelings. In this module, you will learn about the process of social comparison: its definition, consequences, and the factors that affect it.