Understanding Groups
UNIT 1
Objectives
UNDERSTANDING GROUPS
Understanding Groups
After going through this unit, you should be able to: • understand what is a group and why study groups • appreciate the characteristic features of primary and secondary groups • appreciate the complementarity of group and the individual • understand the nature of group influences. Structure 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.10 1.11 Introduction Why study groups The Description and Nature of Groups The Nature of Constraints Group Processes Group Processes as a Function of Interaction Theoretical Approaches to Groups The Group and The Individual Summary Self-Assessment Questions Further readings
1.1
INTRODUCTION
Man is a social animal. The early origin and development of social life among homo sapiens was within-the context of collectives where the sustained human group was a social invention of critical evolutionary importance. The human group originated presumably through mutual interaction among factors such as partial care, the growth of larger brain, development of language, extended childhood, exchange behavior, and play. Once the sustainable group emerged, it became a valuable social form. First, it became a means to accomplish tasks and reach goals that were simply impossible for the individual alone, including the care of the young after the death of the mother, hunting large animals, the spanning of wide charms, building complex structures, conducting communal ceremonies, defending effectively against attack and so on. Second, groups became a source not only of physical sustenance but also of warmth and affection, of tenderness and support, and of a sense of identity and collective security. Third, the group became both a creator and a transmitter of culture, language and technical know-how beliefs and art forms, games and ceremonies, and in general a set of meanings for interpreting existence including life in the group itself. Fourth, human groups each bound together by.
Objectives
UNDERSTANDING GROUPS
Understanding Groups
After going through this unit, you should be able to: • understand what is a group and why study groups • appreciate the characteristic features of primary and secondary groups • appreciate the complementarity of group and the individual • understand the nature of group influences. Structure 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.10 1.11 Introduction Why study groups The Description and Nature of Groups The Nature of Constraints Group Processes Group Processes as a Function of Interaction Theoretical Approaches to Groups The Group and The Individual Summary Self-Assessment Questions Further readings
1.1
INTRODUCTION
Man is a social animal. The early origin and development of social life among homo sapiens was within-the context of collectives where the sustained human group was a social invention of critical evolutionary importance. The human group originated presumably through mutual interaction among factors such as partial care, the growth of larger brain, development of language, extended childhood, exchange behavior, and play. Once the sustainable group emerged, it became a valuable social form. First, it became a means to accomplish tasks and reach goals that were simply impossible for the individual alone, including the care of the young after the death of the mother, hunting large animals, the spanning of wide charms, building complex structures, conducting communal ceremonies, defending effectively against attack and so on. Second, groups became a source not only of physical sustenance but also of warmth and affection, of tenderness and support, and of a sense of identity and collective security. Third, the group became both a creator and a transmitter of culture, language and technical know-how beliefs and art forms, games and ceremonies, and in general a set of meanings for interpreting existence including life in the group itself. Fourth, human groups each bound together by.