Which Support Group Is for Friends and Family Members of Alcoholics?

The Nature of Groups

A social grouping is ii or more humans who interact with ane another, share similar characteristics, and collectively have a sense of unity.

Learning Objectives

Dissimilarity the social cohesion-based concept of a social group with the social identity concept

Key Takeaways

Primal Points

• A social group exhibits some degree of social cohesion and is more than a elementary collection or aggregate of individuals.
• Social cohesion can be formed through shared interests, values, representations, ethnic or social groundwork, and kinship ties, among other factors.
• The social identity approach posits that the necessary and sufficient weather for the germination of social groups is the sensation that an individual belongs and is recognized as a member of a group.
• The social identity approach posits that the necessary and sufficient weather condition for the formation of social groups is the awareness that the individual belongs and is recognized equally a member of a group.

Key Terms

• social grouping: A collection of humans or animals that share certain characteristics, interact with one another, accept expectations and obligations as members of the grouping, and share a common identity.
• The social identity arroyo: Posits that the necessary and sufficient condition for the germination of social groups is awareness of a mutual category membership.
• The social cohesion approach: More than than a elementary collection or amass of individuals, such as people waiting at a bus end, or people waiting in a line.

In the social sciences, a social group is two or more humans who collaborate with one another, share similar characteristics, and accept a collective sense of unity. This is a very broad definition, equally information technology includes groups of all sizes, from dyads to whole societies. A society tin be viewed as a large group, though most social groups are considerably smaller. Social club tin can besides be viewed as people who interact with i another, sharing similarities pertaining to civilisation and territorial boundaries.

A social grouping exhibits some caste of social cohesion and is more than than a uncomplicated drove or aggregate of individuals, such as people waiting at a bus terminate or people waiting in a line. Characteristics shared past members of a group may include interests, values, representations, indigenous or social background, and kinship ties. One way of determining if a collection of people tin be considered a group is if individuals who belong to that collection use the self-referent pronoun "we;" using "we" to refer to a collection of people ofttimes implies that the drove thinks of itself as a group. Examples of groups include: families, companies, circles of friends, clubs, local chapters of fraternities and sororities, and local religious congregations.

Renowned social psychologist Muzafer Sherif formulated a technical definition of a social group. Information technology is a social unit consisting of a number of individuals interacting with each other with respect to:

1. mutual motives and goals;
2. an accepted division of labor;
3. established status relationships;
4. accepted norms and values with reference to matters relevant to the grouping; and
5. the development of accepted sanctions, such every bit raise and penalization, when norms were respected or violated.

Explicitly contrasted with a social cohesion-based definition for social groups is the social identity perspective, which draws on insights made in social identity theory. The social identity approach posits that the necessary and sufficient conditions for the formation of social groups is "awareness of a mutual category membership" and that a social group can be "usefully conceptualized as a number of individuals who have internalized the same social category membership as a component of their self concept. " Stated otherwise, while the social cohesion approach expects group members to ask "who am I attracted to? " the social identity perspective expects group members to simply ask "who am I? "

Social Identity Approach: The explanatory profiles of social identity and self-categorization theories.

Law Enforcement Officials: A law enforcement official is a social category, not a group. Still, constabulary enforcement officials who all piece of work in the same station and regularly meet to programme their day and work together would be considered part of a grouping.

Main Groups

A primary group is typically a pocket-size social group whose members share close, personal, enduring relationships.

Learning Objectives

Listing at least three defining characteristics of a primary group

Key Takeaways

Central Points

• Primary groups are marked by business concern for one some other, shared activities and culture, and long periods of fourth dimension spent together. They are psychologically comforting and quite influential in developing personal identity.
• Families and shut friends are examples of primary groups.
• The goal of primary groups is actually the relationships themselves rather than achieving some other purpose.
• The concept of the primary grouping was introduced by Charles Cooley in his volume, Social Organization : A Study of the Larger Mind.

Key Terms

• Shut friends: They are examples of primary groups.
• grouping: A number of things or persons being in some relation to one some other.
• relationship: Connection or association; the condition of being related.

Sociologists distinguish betwixt two types of groups based upon their characteristics. A main grouping is typically a small social group whose members share close, personal, indelible relationships. These groups are marked past concern for one another, shared activities and culture, and long periods of time spent together. The goal of master groups is actually the relationships themselves rather than achieving some other purpose. Families and close friends are examples of master groups.

Charles Cooley

The concept of the main group was introduced by Charles Cooley, a sociologist from the Chicago Schoolhouse of sociology, in his book Social Organization: A Study of the Larger Heed (1909). Primary groups play an important role in the development of personal identity. Cooley argued that the impact of the primary group is then great that individuals cling to main ideals in more complex associations and even create new primary groupings within formal organizations. To that extent, he viewed society equally a constant experiment in enlarging social experience and in coordinating variety. He, therefore, analyzed the operation of such circuitous social forms as formal institutions and social class systems and the subtle controls of public opinion.

Functions of Chief Groups

A master grouping is a group in which ane exchanges implicit items, such as beloved, caring, business, support, etc. Examples of these would exist family groups, honey relationships, crisis back up groups, and church groups. Relationships formed in primary groups are frequently long lasting and goals in themselves. They as well are oftentimes psychologically comforting to the individuals involved and provide a source of support and encouragement.

Charles Cooley: The concept of the principal group was introduced by Charles Cooley, a sociologist from the Chicago School of sociology, in his book, "Social Organization: A Study of the Larger Mind" (1909).

Families as Social Groups: This family from the 1970s would be an instance of a primary group.

Secondary Groups

Secondary groups are large groups whose relationships are impersonal and goal oriented; their relationships are temporary.

Learning Objectives

Outline the chief distinctions betwixt primary and secondary groups

Key Takeaways

Primal Points

• The distinction between primary and secondary groups was originally proposed past Charles Cooley. He termed them "secondary" considering they generally develop subsequently in life and are much less likely to be influential on one's identity than primary groups.
• Secondary relationships involve weak emotional ties and petty personal noesis of 1 another. In dissimilarity to primary groups, secondary groups don't take the goal of maintaining and developing the relationships themselves.
• Secondary groups include groups in which one exchanges explicit bolt, such as labor for wages, services for payments, and such. They also include university classes, athletic teams, and groups of co-workers.

Central Terms

• chief group: Information technology is typically a small-scale social group whose members share close, personal, enduring relationships. These groups are marked by concern for one some other, shared activities and culture, and long periods of time spent together.
• grouping: A number of things or persons being in some relation to i some other.
• Secondary groups: They are large groups whose relationships are impersonal and goal-oriented.

Dissimilar kickoff groups, secondary groups are big groups whose relationships are impersonal and goal oriented. People in a secondary group interact on a less personal level than in a primary grouping, and their relationships are generally temporary rather than long lasting. Some secondary groups may last for many years, though about are short term. Such groups also begin and end with very little significance in the lives of the people involved.

Secondary relationships involve weak emotional ties and lilliputian personal noesis of i another. In contrast to primary groups, secondary groups don't take the goal of maintaining and developing the relationships themselves.

Charles Cooley

The distinction between chief and secondary groups was originally proposed past Charles Cooley. He labeled groups every bit "primary" because people often experience such groups early in their life and such groups play an important role in the development of personal identity. Secondary groups generally develop after in life and are much less likely to exist influential on one'southward identity.

Functions

Since secondary groups are established to perform functions, people's roles are more than interchangeable. A secondary group is 1 y'all have chosen to be a part of. They are based on interests and activities. They are where many people can come across close friends or people they would just call acquaintances. Secondary groups are also groups in which one exchanges explicit bolt, such as labor for wages, services for payments, etc. Examples of these would be employment, vendor-to-client relationships, a doctor, a mechanic, an auditor, and such. A university class, an able-bodied team, and workers in an office all likely form secondary groups. Primary groups tin can form within secondary groups as relationships get more personal and shut.

Classmates as Secondary Groups: A grade of students is generally considered a secondary group.

Doctors as Secondary Groups: The doctor-patient human relationship is another case of secondary groups.

In-Groups and Out-Groups

In-groups are social groups to which an individual feels he or she belongs, while an individual doesn't identify with the out-group.

Learning Objectives

Call up two of the key features of in-grouping biases toward out-groups

Key Takeaways

Cardinal Points

• In- group favoritism refers to a preference and affinity for one'south in-group over the out-grouping, or anyone viewed equally outside the in-group.
• One of the key determinants of group biases is the need to ameliorate self-esteem. That is individuals volition discover a reason, no matter how insignificant, to testify to themselves why their group is superior.
• Intergroup aggression is any beliefs intended to harm some other person, because he or she is a member of an out-grouping, the behavior existence viewed by its targets as undesirable.
• The out-group homogeneity effect is one'southward perception of out-grouping members as more similar to i some other than are in-group members (east.g., "they are alike; we are various").
• Prejudice is a hostile or negative attitude toward people in a distinct group, based solely on their membership inside that group.
• A stereotype is a generalization about a group of people in which identical characteristics are assigned to virtually all members of the group, regardless of bodily variation among the members.

Central Terms

• in-grouping bias: It refers to a preference and analogousness for one's in-group over the out-group, or anyone viewed as outside the in-group.
• Intergroup aggression: It is any behavior intended to damage another person because he or she is a member of an out-group, the beliefs being viewed past its targets as undesirable.
• In-group favoritism: It refers to a preference and analogousness for 1's in-grouping over the out-group, or anyone viewed every bit outside the in-group. This can be expressed in evaluation of others, linking, allocation of resources and many other ways.

In folklore and social psychology, in-groups and out-groups are social groups to which an individual feels as though he or she belongs as a member, or towards which they feel contempt, opposition, or a desire to compete, respectively. People tend to hold positive attitudes towards members of their own groups, a miracle known as in-group bias. The term originates from social identity theory which grew out of the work of social psychologists Henri Tajfel and John Turner.

Henri Tajfel: The in-group and out-group concepts originate from social identity theory, which grew out of the work of social psychologists Henri Tajfel and John Turner.

In-group favoritism refers to a preference and affinity for one's in-group over the out-grouping or anyone viewed equally outside the in-group. This can be expressed in evaluation of others, linking, allotment of resources, and many other means. A cardinal notion in agreement in-group/out-group biases is determining the psychological mechanism that drives the bias. Ane of the key determinants of grouping biases is the demand to improve self-esteem. That is individuals will find a reason, no matter how insignificant, to show to themselves why their group is superior.

Intergroup assailment is whatsoever behavior intended to harm another person because he or she is a member of an out grouping. Intergroup aggression is a past product of in-group bias, in that if the beliefs of the in-group are challenged or if the in-group feels threatened, so they will express assailment toward the out-group. The major motive for intergroup aggression is the perception of a conflict of interest between in-group and out-group. The way the aggression is justified is through dehumanizing the out-grouping, because the more than the out-group is dehumanized the "less they deserve the humane treatment enjoined by universal norms. "

French Stereotypes: Prejudice is similar to stereotype in that a stereotype is a generalization nearly a grouping of people in which identical characteristics are assigned to most all members of the group, regardless of actual variation among the members.

The out-grouping homogeneity effect is one's perception of out-group members as more like to one another than are in-group members, e.g. "they are alike; nosotros are diverse. " The out-group homogeneity consequence has been found using a broad variety of unlike social groups, from political and racial groups to historic period and gender groups. Perceivers tend to have impressions near the diversity or variability of grouping members around those fundamental tendencies or typical attributes of those group members. Thus, out-grouping stereotypicality judgments are overestimated, supporting the view that out-group stereotypes are over-generalizations In an experiment testing out-grouping homogeneity, researchers revealed that people of other races are perceived to await more alike than members of one's own race. When white students were shown faces of a few white and a few black individuals, they after more accurately recognized white faces they had seen and oftentimes falsely recognized black faces not seen earlier. The opposite results were establish when subjects consisted of black individuals.

Prejudice is a hostile or negative attitude toward people in a distinct group, based solely on their membership within that group. There are 3 components. The first is the affective component, representing both the type of emotion linked with the attitude and the severity of the attitude. The second is a cognitive component, involving beliefs and thoughts that make up the attitude. The third is a behavioral component, relating to one'south actions – people do not just hold attitudes, they act on them besides. Prejudice primarily refers to a negative attitude about others, although one can likewise take a positive prejudice in favor of something. Prejudice is similar to stereotype in that a stereotype is a generalization almost a grouping of people in which identical characteristics are assigned to virtually all members of the group, regardless of actual variation among the members.

Reference Groups

Sociologists call any grouping that individuals use as a standard for evaluating themselves and their own behavior a reference group.

Learning Objectives

Explain the purpose of a reference group

Key Takeaways

Key Points

• Social comparing theory argues that individuals use comparisons with others to gain accurate self-evaluations and acquire how to define the self. A reference group is a concept referring to a group to which an private or another group is compared.
• Reference groups provide the benchmarks and contrast needed for comparison and evaluation of grouping and personal characteristics.
• Robert 1000. Merton hypothesized that individuals compare themselves with reference groups of people who occupy the social role to which the individual aspires.

Cardinal Terms

• self-identity: a multi-dimensional construct that refers to an individual's perception of "self" in relation to whatsoever number of characteristics, such as academics and non academics, gender roles and sexuality, racial identity,and many others.
• social office: it is a fix of connected behaviors, rights, and obligations equally conceptualized past actors in a social situation.
• reference grouping: it is a concept referring to a grouping to which an individual or another group is compared.

Social comparison theory is centered on the conventionalities that in that location is a bulldoze within individuals to proceeds accurate self-evaluations. Individuals evaluate their own opinions and ascertain the self past comparison themselves to others. One important concept in this theory is the reference grouping. A reference group refers to a group to which an individual or some other group is compared. Sociologists call whatever group that individuals use as a standard for evaluating themselves and their own behavior a reference grouping.

Reference groups are used in club to evaluate and determine the nature of a given private or other group's characteristics and sociological attributes. It is the group to which the individual relates or aspires to relate himself or herself psychologically. Reference groups become the individual's frame of reference and source for ordering his or her experiences, perceptions, knowledge, and ideas of self. It is important for determining a person's self-identity, attitudes, and social ties. These groups become the basis of reference in making comparisons or contrasts and in evaluating one's appearance and functioning.

Robert K. Merton hypothesized that individuals compare themselves with reference groups of people who occupy the social part to which the individual aspires. Reference groups act as a frame of reference to which people always refer to evaluate their achievements, their role performance, aspirations and ambitions. A reference group can either be from a membership group or non-membership group.

An example of a reference group is a group of people who have a sure level of affluence. For example, an individual in the U.S. with an annual income of $80,000, may consider himself affluent if he compares himself to those in the centre of the income strata, who earn roughly $32,000 a year. If, however, the same person considers the relevant reference group to be those in the top 0.one% of households in the U.South., those making $1.6 meg or more, and then the individual'southward income of $lxxx,000 would brand him or her seem rather poor.

Reference grouping: Reference groups provide the benchmarks and contrast needed for comparing and evaluation of group and personal characteristics.

Reference group: Reference groups become the individual's frame of reference and source for ordering his or her experiences, perceptions, cognition, and ideas of cocky.

Social Networks

A social network is a social structure between actors, connecting them through various social familiarities.

Learning Objectives

Diagram, in miniature, your social networks using nodes and ties

Cardinal Takeaways

Fundamental Points

• The report of social networks is called both "social network analysis" and "social network theory ".
• Social network theory views social relationships in terms of nodes and ties. Nodes are the private actors within the networks, and ties are the relationships between the actors.
• In sociology, social upper-case letter is the expected collective or economic benefits derived from the preferential treatment and cooperation between individuals and groups.
• The rule of 150 states that the size of a genuine social network is limited to nearly 150 members.
• The small world miracle is the hypothesis that the chain of social acquaintances required to connect one arbitrary person to some other capricious person anywhere in the world is by and large short.
• Milgram also identified the concept of the familiar stranger, or an individual who is recognized from regular activities, but with whom one does non interact.
• Milgram too identified the concept of the familiar stranger, or an individual who is recognized from regular activities, but with whom 1 does not interact.

Key Terms

• node: They are the individual actors within the networks, and ties are the relationships betwixt the actors.
• social capital letter: The adept volition, sympathy, and connections created by social interaction within and between social networks.

A social network is a social structure between actors, either individuals or organizations. It indicates the ways in which they are continued through diverse social familiarities, ranging from coincidental acquaintance to close familial bonds. The written report of social networks is called both "social network analysis" and "social network theory. " Research in a number of academic fields has demonstrated that social networks operate on many levels, from families up to the level of nations, and play a critical role in determining the way problems are solved, organizations are run, and the degree to which individuals succeed in achieving their goals. Sociologists are interested in social networks because of their influence on and importance for the individual. Social networks are the basic tools used by individuals to meet other people, recreate, and to find social support.

Social Network Illustration: An example of a social network diagram

Social network theory views social relationships in terms of nodes and ties. Nodes are the individual actors inside the networks, and ties are the relationships between the actors. There can exist many kinds of ties betwixt the nodes. In its most simple grade, a social network is a map of all of the relevant ties between the nodes being studied. The network can also be used to decide the social upper-case letter of private actors. In sociology, social capital is the expected collective or economic benefits derived from the preferential treatment and cooperation between individuals and groups.

The rule of 150 states that the size of a 18-carat social network is limited to about 150 members. The rule arises from cross-cultural studies in folklore and specially anthropology of the maximum size of a village. The pocket-sized world phenomenon is the hypothesis that the chain of social acquaintances required to connect ane capricious person to some other arbitrary person anywhere in the world is generally curt. The concept gave rise to the famous phrase "half dozen degrees of separation" after a 1967 small world experiment by psychologist Stanley Milgram that found that two random U.S. citizens were connected by an boilerplate of six acquaintances. Milgram as well identified the concept of the familiar stranger, or an individual who is recognized from regular activities, but with whom ane does non interact. Somebody who is seen daily on the railroad train or at the gym, only with whom one does not otherwise communicate, is an instance of a familiar stranger. If such individuals run into in an unfamiliar setting, for example, while travelling, they are more than likely to introduce themselves than would perfect strangers, since they have a background of shared experiences.

Studies

Recent research suggests that the social networks of Americans are shrinking, and more and more people have no close confidants or people with whom they can share their near intimate thoughts. In 1985, the mean network size of individuals in the United States was 2.94 people. Networks declined past almost an unabridged confidant by 2004, to 2.08 people. About half, 46.3% of Americans, say they have but one or no confidants with whom they can talk over important matters. The about frequently occurring response to the question of how many confidants one has was zero in 2004.

Online Communities

On the Internet, social interactions can occur in online communities that preclude the need to be face up-to-face.

Learning Objectives

Talk over at to the lowest degree iii primal features of online communities

Fundamental Takeaways

Key Points

• An online community is a virtual customs that exists online and whose members enable its being through taking part in membership rituals.
• An online community tin can take the class of an information system where anyone can post content, such as a message board arrangement or i where only a restricted number of people can initiate posts, such as Weblogs.
• Cost plays a role in all aspects and stages for online communities. Adequately inexpensive and hands attainable technologies and programs take also influenced the increment in establishment of online communities.

Central Terms

• information system: Any data processing system, either manual or computerized
• Online communities: Information technology is a virtual community that exists online and whose members enable its being through taking part in membership ritual.
• weblog: A website in the class of an ongoing journal; a blog.

An online community is a virtual community that exists online and whose members enable its existence through taking part in membership rituals. An online community tin can take the course of an information system where anyone tin post content, such as a bulletin board system or 1 where only a restricted number of people tin initiate posts, such as Weblogs. Online communities have likewise become a supplemental form of communication between people who know each other primarily in existent life. Many means are used in social software separately or in combination, including text-based chat rooms and forums that apply vocalization, video text, or avatars.

The Development of Online Communities

The idea of a community is non a new concept. What is new, still, is transferring it over into the online world. A community was previously defined equally a group from a single location. If you lived in the designated area, you lot became a part of that customs. Interaction between community members was done primarily face-to-face and in a social setting. This definition for community no longer applies. In the online earth, social interactions no longer take to be face-to-face or based on proximity. Instead, they can exist with literally anyone, anywhere. In that location is a set of values to consider when developing an online community. Some of these values include: opportunity, education, civilisation, democracy, human services, equality within the economy, information, sustainability, and communication.

Cost plays a function in all aspects and stages for online communities. Fairly cheap and hands attainable technologies and programs have also influenced the increase in institution of online communities. While payment is necessary to participate in some online communities, such as sure dating websites or for monthly game subscriptions, many other sites are costless to users such as the social networks Facebook and Twitter. Because of deregulation and increased Internet access, the popularity of online communities has escalated. Online communities provide instant gratification, entertainment, and learning.

Building Online Communities

Every online community has a distinct set of members who participate differently. A lurker observes the customs and viewing content, but does not add to the community content or word. A novice engages the community, starts to provide content, and tentatively interacts in a few discussions. A regular consistently adds to the community discussion and content and interacts with other users. A leader is recognized every bit a veteran participant, connecting with regulars to make higher concepts and ideas. Finally, an elder leaves the community for a variety of reasons. For example, the elder might feel a modify in interests or lack the time to stay connected.

Studies

In 2001, consultants at McKinsey & Company did a study where they plant that only two% of transaction site customers returned later their first purchase. In contrast, 60% of new online communities users began using and visiting the sites regularly after their first experiences. Online communities have changed the game for retail firms, equally they have forced them to change their business concern strategies.

Facebook: While payment is necessary to participate in some online communities, such equally certain dating websites or for monthly game subscriptions, many other sites are costless to users such as social networks Facebook and Twitter.

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