Group Definition
There is no consensus among social psychologists on the defining characteristics of a group. Nearly all definitions, however, emphasize that a group is not a mere aggregation of individuals. Rather, two or more individuals become a group to the extent that they are bonded together in some way, which generally means that they interact and influence one another and share perceptions of themselves as a group. By these criteria, one’s immediate family is a group, and so are a sport team, an airline flight crew, and a support group. But a social category such as members of the same race or gender is not a group—nor is an audience attending a concert, the line of people at a ticket window, or all the students at a university. Recognizing that such distinctions are not as clear-cut as they appear, some social psychologists have argued that various social aggregates are best viewed as falling along a continuum of groupness based on certain characteristics. Read more about Groups.
Groups Research Topics:
Importance of Groups
Groups provide vital links between the individual and society. On one hand, groups satisfy basic individual needs: Through groups, children are raised, shelter and protection are provided, people gain important information about themselves, and people satisfy an inherent desire to have human contact and to bond with others. At the same time, groups support and sustain larger organizations and society by teaching values and societal norms, by exerting pressure on individuals to conform, and by providing a means to solving problems.
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