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In sociology, a group is usually defined as a collection
consisting of a number of people who share certain aspects, interact with one another, accept rights and obligations as members
of the group and share a common identity. Using this definition, society can appear as a large group.
While an aggregate comprises merely a number of people, a group in sociology
exhibits cohesiveness to a larger degree. Aspects that members in the group may share include interests, values, ethnic/linguistic background and kinship.
Primary groups consist of small groups with intimate, kin-based relationships: families, for example. They
commonly last for years. The term was coined by Charles
Horton Cooley.
Secondary groups, in contrast to primary groups, are large groups whose relationships are formal and institutional. Some of them may last
for years but some may disband after a short lifetime.
See also: Organization, bureaucracy
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