Lecture Notes: Primary and Secondary Groups

Overview

This lecture discusses the different types of groups people belong to, focusing on primary and secondary groups. These groups differ in terms of intimacy, purpose, and duration.

Primary Groups

• Definition: Groups that provide intimacy and close relationships.
• Characteristics:
  • Sense of belonging and shared identity.
  • Members care for each other and exhibit loyalty.
  • The value is in the relationship itself, not in achieving a specific goal.
  • Serve as anchor points from birth (e.g., family).
  • Involve face-to-face interactions and deep knowledge of each other’s lives.
  • Source of close human feelings and emotions (love, cooperation, concern).
• Examples:
  • Bridal party at a wedding (close friends and family).
  • College teammates (shared experiences and growth).
  • Neighborhood friends (shared community activities).

Secondary Groups

• Definition: Groups that have formal, impersonal, and business-like relationships.
• Characteristics:
  • Often temporary and goal-oriented.
  • Relationships are a means to an end (e.g., task completion, earning money).
  • Usually involve short-term, goal-directed activities.
• Examples at a Wedding:
  • Work partners invited by parents.
  • Distant family seen infrequently.
  • Acquaintances who may be useful in the future.

Key Takeaways

• Primary Groups:
  • Are intimate, long-term, and valued for the relationships themselves.
• Secondary Groups:
  • Are short-term and valued for achieving specific goals or outcomes.