CHAPTER 4
Plato believed that man is a social animal. This
means human beings are naturally equipped with
tools such as language and reason that enable them
to engage others in meaningful interaction.
Social Group - Is a collection of individuals who
have relations with one another that make them
interdependent to some significant degree
- Define our identity, as well as our roles in
society
Interdependence - Is a necessary condition that
exists within social groups bec it is what enables its
members to pursue shared goals or promote
common values and principles
- Also what differentiates a social group from
an aggregate
Aggregate- A mere collection of people in the same
place at the same time and does not necessarily
influence an individual’s social actions due to the
lack of direct interaction and interdependence with
the people composing it.
*Individuals assign great value to their relationships
with people within their group, to the extent that it
defines their respective identities.
Primary and Secondary Groups
*Sociologists agree that not all groups are
equivalent in terms of their level of importance.
Primary Group – is a small, intimate, and less
specialized group whose members engage in face-
to-face and emotion-based interactions over an
extended period of time.
- The interdependence among members of a
primary group is characterized by a deep
and profound rel. with each other.
- Responsible for the continual social
development of its members
- First groups where an indiv experiences his
or her initial encounter with social affinity
and belonging.
- Establishes and defines his or her identity,
values, ideals and aspirations.
- In the Phil, the primary group of affiliation
of Filipino is based on kinship ties.
- It is through kinship that young Filipinos
realize the great importance our culture
assigns to the family and its extended nature.
- Bilineal Kinship- traces lineage from both
parents; emphasis on the place of origin of
his or her father and mother
- Familial Network- build instant affinity w/
ppl they don’t know but either share a
family name or place of origin.
Secondary Groups- are larger, less intimate, and
more specialized groups where members engage in
an impersonal and objective-oriented relationship
for a limited time.
- the level of interaction and interdependence
is not deep and significant.
- Indiv. Also recognize that their membership
to these groups is less intrinsic and more
instrumental.
- Mutual benefit becomes the primary driving
force that compel inidiv. To stay together in
a secondary group.
- Ritualistic Kinship – tie is therefore formed
which leads to a primary rel. being
established in the workplace – a supposedly
secondary group
In-Groups and Out-Groups
Self-Categorization Theory – another relevant
approach in understanding the char. Of social
groups
- It proposes that people’s appreciation of
their group membership is influenced by
their perception towards people who are not
members of their groups.
In-Group – a group to which one belongs and with
which one feels a sense of identity.
Characteristics of In-Groups
*Members of such groups devise ways to
distinguish themselves from nonmembers –
These means of identification perform the
role of infusing group solidarity as well as
exclusivity.
* Members within a certain in-group
display positive attitudes toward their
behavior toward their fellow members for
the most part, while they may exhibit
negative attitudes and even form negative
views toward members of their out-groups –
These shared feelings form important bonds
that further solidify the cohesiveness of the
in-group.
* Similarities and shared experiences foster
unity and cooperation among group
members, differences with nonmembers
could transform into feelings of competition
and even hostility. – The establishment of
modern societies is often defined by the
creation of boundaries bet in-groups and
out-groups.
Out – Group
- Is a group to which one does not belong and
to which he or she may feel a sense of
competitiveness or hostility.
*Fraternity-is an exclusive all male student
organization.
*Sorority-is an exclusive all female organization
Self-Categorization – as members of fraternities
often lose their individuality and they consider
themselves more as members of an exclusive group.
- Their identity in other groups may be
overshadowed by their sense of belonging
to the in-group.
Reference Groups – is a group to which an
individual compares himself or herself. Such groups
strongly influence an individual’s behavior and
social attitudes whether he or she is a member of
these groups.
- It has a strong influence on an indiv.
Beliefs, values, behavior and attitudes.
- Considered a source of role models since
the individual uses it as a standard for self-
assessment.
- It can mold people’s aspirations in life and
inspire them to pursue greater things.
- The social norms people follow, the
attitudes they adopt, and the behaviors they
exhibit are significantly influenced by those
displayed by members of their reference
group.
 People are more empowered to
craft a more complicated set of
identities with the help of
various social groups whose
membership is not based on
blood relations and kinship ties.
Social Networks – provides an important context in
understanding how various groups are interrelated
with one another.
 Provides a bigger pool from w/c
people draw their possible
sources of identity, self-esteem,
and self-actualization.
 It is the larger source where
people find alternative groups if
their previous ones fail or
disappoint them.
 The increasing mobility of people and the
diverse opportunities brought about by
improved communication and technology
are signs that the dual task of maintaining
and expanding one’s social network will
soon become less of a choice but rather a
necessity in the years to come.

Networks
- Refers to the structure of relationships
between social actors or Groups.
- These are interconnections, ties, and
linkages between people, their groups, and
the larger social institutions to which they
all belong to.
- One can instantly map his or her own social
network through his or her accounts on
these online platforms of communication.
- Social Media – is a significant
development in the 21st century and its
rapid evolution continues to change the way
people manage the complicated nature of
their relationships and group affinities.
*Sociologists and anthropologists differentiate
between the networks formed in traditional
and modern societies.
- In traditional or primitive societies,
networks are exclusive, limited and
mostly defines by kinship.
 They provide solidarity through
shared identities and a simple
division of labor and social
roles.
- Modern Society, meanwhile, redefines
the “safe and secure” arrangement
provided by traditional networks by
allowing the indiv to become part of a
more expanded and cosmopolitan
network with overlapping circles of
social interaction.