Social group

Social group referred to in sociology and psychology, a collection of at least three persons. Sociologically, a group is determined by the fact that all members of the group are in a direct social relationship, each member of the other members are aware of and between all members of social interaction is possible.

In order for a group of an organization, a social form that can have a very large extent in terms of number of members and the complexity of their social structure is different (sometimes referred to as a formal group); Organizations often have an anonymous structure, formalized and anonymous encounters, and other distinguishing characteristics. In contrast, a group is generally limited because of the necessary interactions in size.

In psychology, especially social psychology, the size of a group is deemed not limited; but some scientists distinguish between phenomena in smaller groups and those in larger ones. A recognized definition comes from the Anglo- Jewish social psychologist Henri Tajfel, he appointed a ( social) group as a collection of individuals:

• Who perceive themselves as members of the same social category
• That demonstrate a certain level of emotional attachment to this category
• That demonstrate a certain common agreement on the assessment and their membership in this group

Tajfels theory is applied to groups of small groups to ethnic groups and entire nations.

Sociology

For the Danish sociologist Theodor Geiger, the group categorically by a pair ( the dyad ) is to be distinguished, because in this all ( two ) members are involved at all times in all interactions. For the German sociologist Georg Simmel just does the number three, which is defined as the lower limit of the size of the group, of particular importance for society formation.

An important characteristic of a social group is in the sociological sense their straightforwardness, for the group members as well as outsiders. Social groups are therefore often referred to as small groups; as a rule of thumb a membership of more than 25 people. Outside of sociology, such as social psychology, even in much larger groups is still spoken by social groups.

A sociological definition of Friedhelm Neidhardt is " group is a social system, its context of meaning is directly determined by diffuse member relations as well as by relative permanence. " Characteristic of a group is often a recurring interaction between people, but not necessarily. A social actor ( actor ) belongs to a group:

• If he feels the group belonging
• When this sense of belonging is not rejected by the group

Thus, the first condition can be met, this group must exist at least in the imagination of an actor. You can then serve as a reference for social comparisons and so act as his reference group, although they must not only consist of living actors, for example (eg, " my family " ) or perhaps anything about it knows that she as a reference group acts ( for example, " all people with self-esteem "). To deny the group membership at all, must be beyond a "group" such a thing as a group identity have developed ( sense of belonging ) (see ingroup ).

The sense of belonging is an essential, constitutive output factor for the maintenance and inventory of groups, because this group is founded in feeling the feelings of belonging and togetherness. Direct interaction of a member with each other, familiarity and intimacy are also part of the qualities of the group.

Organizational Psychology

In organizational psychology, the group is seen as the majority of people who relate to each other over a longer period of time in direct interaction and are connected by a sense of belonging. There are role distinctions or, shared norms, values ​​and goals. Social groups can be classified into formal and informal groups.

• The formal groups are formed by the organization line according to the respective needs and objectives to accomplish specific, planned and defined tasks and to achieve sub-goals, such as work group, team, committee or quality circles.
• The informal group is characterized by emotional bonds between group members and have thus independent of the formal organizational reasons, such as a friendship group, but also as a clique. You meet at work and in their leisure time social needs.

For the supervisor as a group leader, it is important to know as part of the leadership team, which member is acting as an informal group leaders how social groups affect communication in the organization and whether there may be potential for conflict.

Group structure

The social interaction within the group is characterized by enduring social relationships and contacts, in-house and co- action, by unit social actor with shared values ​​and interests, through immediacy of relationships through mutual perception of the participants, by presence and direct interaction, as well as by coordinated social roles. Herewith some basic, group sociological characteristic provisions are mentioned, which provide the basis for the social processes within a group, and then group processes can be mentioned in the special sense. In the interaction of the individuals they provide the group dynamics.

Revealing are in the investigation of the structure first, the different social roles and positions (status) in terms of the distribution of power, authority, influence, authority, or other significant social resources. Like the views of submission or adaptation as specific behaviors that make up may result in a hierarchy or other specific structure.

Another essential factor is the internal-external relationship of the group. How it is defined inside a community, such as content that emotions, rituals, values ​​? This leads to the question of how the group ever of the surroundings in other groups ( see outgroup ) or society defines. The more or less clearly defined way this limit constitutes a determining factor analysis

Actions and behavior in groups

People act or behave in a group other than alone ( Example: Group polarization, see also group dynamics ).

Groups, behaviors between groups ( intergroup behavior ) and behavior of individuals within a group (intra- group behavior ) are the primary subject of research in social psychology and also play in sociology a role as well, based on groups in organizations, in the organizational psychology.

Group sizes

For the well -being in groups, but also for their performance the size plays a crucial role. Small groups are prone to conflict ( for example, the group of three ) to large groups ( ten participants) often disintegrate into subgroups. It may be useful to start from the "optimal group size of five participants ."

Roles within groups

In general, individual positions crystallize within a short time in the groups out, occupied by individual group members and filled differently ( the social role can be played differently ) or be awarded by the other group members an individual. Most roles to individual group members identify consciously or unconsciously, awarded roles are accepted by them or rejected. One can say that the role-taking and attribution is negotiated socially.

Empirical examples:

• An informal group leader (instrumental leader) has the function to hold the group, and determines and coordinates the group goals. In groups where there is no official group leader, usually (both social roles by George C. Homans are incompatible ) rivaled the popular and the Normentreueste ( " fittest " ) around this position. Who is popular (emotional leader), has the function to hold the group; He is liked by all and embodies the emotional side of the group needs. Because he just does not embody the ' severity ' of the group standards, he is a group leader usually unsuccessful, or if he is unpopular and may thus lose its original role.
• Who is proficient, embodies the normative goals of the group. He may not be the popular " Making it right everyone is an art that no one can. "