Groups and Social Interaction

Social Interaction

Types 1. Exchange 2. Competition 3. Conflict 4. Cooperation 5. Accommodation

Exchange

Definition: effort to receive a reward or a return for your actions

Reciprocity: the idea that if you do something for someone, that person owes you something in return.

Exchange Theory: People are motivated by self-interest in their interactions with other people

Competition

Definition: when two or more people or groups oppose each other to achieve a goal that only one can attain.

Foundation of capitalist and democratic society

Positive motivator if the rules are followed

Negative if it leads to psychological stress, a lack of cooperation, inequality, and even conflict

Conflict

Definition: is the deliberate attempt to control a person by force, to oppose someone, or to harm another person.

4 Sources 1. Wars 2. Disagreements within groups 3. Legal disputes 4. Clashes over ideology

Cooperation

Definition: occurs when 2 or more people work together to achieve a goal that will benefit more than one person

Is the social process of how things get done

Accommodation

Definition: is the state of balance between cooperation and conflict

You give a little, so you can get a little

Two basic forms: Compromise and Truce

What is a group?

4 Major Features 1. Has two or more people 2. There must be interaction among its members 3. Members of the group must have shared

expectations 4. Members must share some sense of common

identity

Group Characteristics

Size Smallest group – 2 people – called dyad

Each person has a direct control of the group

When groups have three people (triad) the group become independent of its members No one person can disband the group Decisions become easier

Group Characteristics

Time Can last any amount of time Does not have to be continuous

Organization Formal: structure, goals, and activities are clearly

defined Informal: no official structure or established rules of

conduct

Group Types

Types Primary Group Secondary Group Reference Group In-Groups and Out-Groups

Primary Group

Definition: a small group of people who interact over a relatively long period of time on a direct and personal basis

Entire self of the individual is taken into account

Communication is deep and intense

Structure is informal

Secondary Group

Definition: a group where interaction is impersonal and temporary in nature

Are casual and limited in involvement

Importance in the group relies on their function

A person can be easily replaced

Secondary Groups

Generally organized around specific goals

Primary relationships can be formed in the secondary group

Examples: Classroom, work, political party

Reference Groups

Definition: Any group with whom individuals identify and whose attitudes and values they adopt.

Choice of reference groups can have positive or negative effects on behavior

Ex: Groups of friends and school clubs

In-groups and Out-groups

In-group: a group that a person belongs to and identifies with

Out-group: any group that a person does not belong to or identifies with.

Social Networks

Definition: The web of relationships that is formed by the sum total of a person’s interactions with other people

Include both direct and indirect relationships

Do not have clear boundaries and do not give rise to a common sense of identity

Group Functions

Groups must define boundaries: often done through symbols, styles of dress, and hand gestures

Group Functions

Leaders: people who influence the attitudes and opinions of others

Instrumental Leaders: task-oriented

Expressive Leaders: emotion-oriented

Group Functions

Groups must set goals

Groups must assign tasks

Groups need to control their members behavior