Group (sociology)

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. Charles Horton Cooley[?] coined this term..

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.

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See also: Organization, bureaucracy