There are several types of social groups: 1) Primary groups are small and intimate, like families and close friends. 2) Secondary groups are larger and include acquaintances from work, school, volunteer activities, etc. 3) Reference groups are those we compare ourselves to in order to guide our behavior and identify social norms.

1. GROUPS
WITHIN
SOCIETY

2. first and most basic social
group
most intimate and important
groups to people and usually
feature a small amount of
individuals who are extremely
close to one another
PRIMARY GROUP

3. A traditional family, consisting of
two parents and their offspring,
is the most common primary
group
A couple
Exceptionally close groups of
friends are also considered
primary groups
EXAMPLE:

4. Secondary groups can be small, like
primary groups, but they can also be
much larger
They tend to be made up of people we
know through work, school, a volunteer
group, etc
EXAMPLE:
*classmates
*colleagues
*church mates
*sports team mates
SECONDARY GROUP

5. is a group to which we
compare ourselves
We use reference groups in
order to guide our behavior
and attitudes and help us to
identify social norms.
REFERENCE GROUPS

6. Suppose that Susie is a 13-year-old
female who transfers to a new school.
Susie may pay attention to what her
schoolmates wear, how they speak,
where they hang out, and how they
behave. Susie then takes this
information and uses it in order to
modify her speech, determine what she
wears to school, how she does her hair,
which shows to watch on television, etc.
EXAMPLE

7. are any groups that one belongs to
or identifies with
For example, imagine you are a
member of a soccer team. When
thinking of your team members, you
would use the term 'we.' ('We are
going to win!') Your team is the in-
group
IN-GROUPS

8. which is any group that one does
not belong to or identify with.
EXAMPLE: When thinking of the
team you'll be competing
against, you would use the term
'they.' ('They are going to lose!')
That team is the out-group.
OUT-GROUPS