Page 158 - Essencials of Sociology

Categories, Aggregates, Primary and Secondary Groups

Groups have a deep impact on our actions, views, orientations, even
what we feel and think about life. Yet, as illustrated by these photos,
not everything that appears to be a group is actually a group in the
sociological sense.

Primary groups such as the family play a key role in the
development of the self. As a small group, the family also serves
as a buffer from the often-threatening larger group known as
the basic orientations of this couple, as it will be for their son.

The outstanding trait that these three people have in common does not make them a society. The family has been of primary significance in forming
group, but a category.

Secondary groups are larger and more anonymous,
formal, and impersonal than primary groups. Why are
these cyclists lined up at the start of a race an example
of a secondary group?

Aggregates are people who happen to be in the same place at the same time.