SYG2000 Chapter 6 Study Guide

Primary Groups

Small, close-knit, and usually long-term groups where members have personal, intimate relationships (e.g., family, close friends).

Secondary Groups

Larger, more impersonal groups that are task-focused and time-limited (e.g., coworkers, classmates).

In-Groups

Groups to which an individual feels they belong and identify with.

Out-Groups

Groups to which an individual does not belong or identify with, often viewed in opposition to in-groups.

Reference Groups

Groups that people compare themselves to for self-evaluation and the formation of attitudes, values, and behaviors.

Dyad

A two-member group, the smallest possible social group.

Triad

A three-member group, which is more stable than a dyad due to the possibility of mediation.

Bureaucracies

Formal organizations characterized by a hierarchy of authority, a clear division of labor, explicit rules, and impersonality.

Hierarchy of Authority

A clear chain of command found in a bureaucracy.

Clear Division of Labor

Each individual in a bureaucracy has a specialized task to perform.

Explicit Rules

Rules that are outlined, recorded, and standardized.

Impersonality

The removal of personal feelings from professional situations to ensure unbiased decision-making.

Authoritarian Leader

Issues orders and assigns tasks without seeking input from group members.

Democratic Leader

Encourages group participation and consensus-building before moving into action.

Laissez-Faire Leader

Offers little or no guidance to group members and allows them to make their own decisions.

Conformity

The extent to which an individual complies with group or societal norms.

Groupthink

The practice of thinking or making decisions as a group in a way that discourages creativity or individual responsibility.

Social Loafing

The phenomenon where individuals exert less effort when working in a group than when working alone.

Functionalist Perspective

Views groups as essential to the stability and functioning of society.

Conflict Perspective

Focuses on the power dynamics and inequalities within and between groups.

Interactionist Perspective

Examines the day-to-day interactions and meanings that individuals give to their group experiences.