GROUPS blog.outlawsalesgroup.com FORM 4 Ann Maureen Samm-Regis
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INTRODUCTION Human beings are social creatures i.e. they like living in organized communities among many other people. Individuals live their entire lives in one group or another e.g. family, school, workplace, church, recreation club, community centre, etc
GROUP A number of people who share common characteristics and have common goals, aims and purposes
Individuals become members of groups to fulfill some need: Belonging and identity Physical companionship Emotional security Avenues for leadership and decision-making Status and importance
Identification of Groups
Identification of Groups Groups are identified by symbols/emblems which are displayed in their offices, printed on their letterheads or exhibited by members on their persons. Groups may also be identified by the way their members dress.
SYMBOLS
CHARACTERISTICS OF GROUPS Purpose Written goals Rules Membership requirements Hierarchical Structure Leadership Membership
FUNCTIONS OF GROUPS Achievement of specific goals Provide companionship Provide a sense of belonging and identity Provide friendship and fellowship Provide a feeling of safety and security Provide emotional support Develop self-esteem Develop disciplined members of society Provide opportunities for leadership Provide opportunities to learn new skills
Criteria for categorising groups: Size Primary groups (small) Secondary groups (much larger) Structure Formal groups Informal groups Peer groups Membership Voluntary groups Involuntary groups In-groups and out-groups
TYPES OF GROUPS
PRIMARY GROUPS: These are small in size and characterized by intimacy, face-to-face contact and a relative degree of permanence. Members are on familiar terms and they see each other often (e.g. a family, a class, small music band, girl guide troupe, choir etc) PRIMARY GROUP (CLASS, CHOIR)
SECONDARY GROUPS: These are much larger than primary groups. There is less frequent interaction among members and less intimacy than in primary groups. They tend to have a formal structure because of their size (e.g. trade unions, army, political parties, members of an entire school, Girl Guides Association, business organizations with branches in different parts of the country)
PEER GROUPS Formed by people of around the same age and social status who may have close bonds May be same gender or mixed gender May have their own heroes, styles of clothing, slang and behaviour patterns Examples: study groups, choirs, steel-bands, liming groups, birdwatching groups
Beneficial effects of peer groups Allows individual to develop proper attitudes and values, concepts of justice and fair play Opportunities to make and follow rules Decision-making opportunities (valuable training for adulthood) Sense of belonging and security Companionship Sharing of similar interests
Negative effects (PEER PRESSURE) Sometimes peers influence their friends to engage in anti-social activities, including some that are dangerous and harmful Alcoholism Marijuana smoking and drug use Sexual permissiveness Truancy / juvenile delinquency Violence
FORMAL GROUPS are organized with clear-cut structures which govern the interaction of members
FORMAL GROUPS o Membership requirements o Procedures for dismissal and election/appointment of leaders o Formal structure with clear lines of authority o Constitution: outlining goals of the group and the rights, duties and obligations of members o Codes of conduct describing the rules members are expected to follow and the sanctions to be taken if the rules are broken (sanctions may include ostracism, suspension, fines, stern warnings, expulsion) o Elected or appointed leaders o Well-coordinated o Specific objectives
Examples of formal groups: Sports teams (WICB) Scouting Association Political parties (PNM, UNC) Trade unions (OWTU) Business organisations (Hi-Lo, N&M, AMCO) Banks (RBTT) Family Crisis Centre Mosque / Temple / Church
INFORMAL groups: Have no written rules regarding behaviour of members Formed through constant face-toface interaction, similarity in jobs, interests etc Roles and goals arise spontaneously with the changing activities of the group May be formed out of people living on the same street e.g. boys liming on the block, a bat and ball team, a group of kiteflying children
VOLUNTARY GROUPS These are formed to provide some service to the community or to support a good cause. e.g. Red Cross, Kiwanis Club, Lions Club, Servol, Rotary Club
INVOLUNTARY GROUPS These are groups in which membership is not voluntary Members are forced to belong because they have no choice e.g. compulsory national service, compulsory military enlistment
IN-GROUPS & OUT-GROUPS In-groups have some sort of identity which excludes others (badges, names, a particular dress code) Those who do not belong are part of the out-group.
GROUP COHESION
Factors Which Lead to Cohesion A strong, well-respected leader Putting team goals ahead of individual goals Cooperation and commitment from members Supporting each other Mutual respect (showing respect to those in authority) Obeying rules Everyone fulfilling his/her functions and responsibilities (pulling his/her weight)
Factors Hindering Group Cohesion Lack of commitment/cooperation from the members Incompetent leadership Lack of funding Existence of sub-groups
SOCIAL CONTROL IN GROUPS
Agents of Social Control The family Religious institutions (through their laws contained in books like the Bible, Koran and Bhagavad Gita) Educational institutions Cultural Groups and Activities (stress relief) The Legislature The Police Service The Courts The Media (Television, Radio, Newspapers) communicate values, beliefs and attitudes
Social Control in Groups Groups and organizations develop procedures to ensure that members conform to expected patterns of behaviour. These are called: Rules Norms Laws Mores Folkways Customs
Rules may be written or unwritten and they prescribe how people should behave: RULES - conduct - dress - language - attendance - absenteeism
Norms are ways of behaving shared by most members of a group, class or culture. They are unwritten rules which exist in society. They concern the way we expect people to behave. They are passed on through socialization. NORMS
Mores are norms which deal with respect for life and property. They are moral values which form the basis for laws. NORMS MORES E.g. it is wrong to steal or to kill or to deliberately injure someone. (Unwritten)
Folkways are norms which are generally kept by society but breaking them is not considered morally wrong E.g. forming a line, celebrating birthdays, dressing up to go to church, religious celebrations, wedding ceremonies, funeral rites and rituals NORMS MORES FOLKWAYS
Customs are folkways that have existed for a long time in a society e.g. the way we greet one another NORMS MORES FOLKWAYS CUSTOMS
Laws are institutionalized norms. They are set out in writing and carry penalties. They are enforced. NORMS MORES FOLKWAYS CUSTOMS LAWS
NORMS RULES MORES FOLKWAYS CUSTOMS LAWS
Rules may be written or unwritten and they prescribe how people should behave (conduct, dress, language, attendance, absenteeism) Norms are ways of behaving shared by most members of a group, class or culture. They are unwritten rules which exist in society. They concern the way we expect people to behave. They are passed on through socialization. Mores are norms which deal with respect for life and property. They are moral values which form the basis for laws. E.g. it is wrong to steal or to kill or to deliberately injure someone. (Unwritten)
Folkways are norms which are generally kept by society but breaking them is not considered morally wrong e.g. forming a line, celebrating birthdays, dressing up to go to church, religious celebrations, wedding ceremonies, funeral rites and rituals Customs are folkways that have existed for a long time in a society e.g. the way we greet one another Laws are institutionalized norms. They are set out in writing and carry penalties. They are enforced.
Functions of laws To force obedience and control behaviour To maintain peace and order in society To deter and prevent crime To compensate victims of crime To guarantee justice and equality of treatment for the population
LEADERSHIP
LEADERSHIP In all formal groups, leaders are NOMINATED or APPOINTED. They are given special responsibilities to ensure that members cooperate to achieve the goals of the group.
Leaders are important in all formal groups. They ensure: Subordinates obey rules and regulations All necessary resources are available for members to perform their duties (tools, equipment etc) Sanctions are applied to members for breach of the rules or regulations Members are monitored and encouraged while performing their duties Appropriate rewards are granted to deserving members Members conduct themselves in such a way that they earn the respect of other members The goals of the group are achieved
Qualities required by a good leader Honesty Sincerity Justice Intelligence Tolerance Responsibility Cooperation Reliability Self-confidence Self-respect Firmness Courage Faith in humanity Fear of God Integrity Trustworthiness
Ways of filling leadership positions Some positions are advertised and applicants are interviewed for the position Some positions are filled through the election process e.g. members of the House of Representatives Other leadership positions may be filled by selecting the most suitable person for the job e.g. members of the Senate, Cabinet Ministers, Captain of the West Indies Cricket Team
Leadership Types Democratic/ Participative Authoritarian/ Autocratic Laissez-faire
Democratic/ Participative Shares decision making with others Accepts suggestions from others Is not arrogant or tyrannical Interacts with members Acts as a guide
Authoritarian/ Autocratic Orders and commands Does as he/she sees fit Makes all decisions and informs the group Does not share decisionmaking
Laissez-faire Pays little attention to the goals of the group Is not very involved Has little influence on members Group members function on their own
Power: the ability to influence others Authority: the right to order or ask others to do what you want them to do Downward influence Granted by the organization Leadership: the power to guide the actions of others
AUTHORITY TYPES Traditional authority: is based on the idea that all authority is God-given, usually through birth. It is the ruler s divine right to rule over others. Charismatic authority: exists here the leader is radical and influences his followers to rebel against certain norms of society Rational-Legal authority: exists where the leader s authority is dependent upon his hierarchical position in the organisation e.g. the principal of a school. Authority vested in the office not the individual.
Groups 1. The success of a formal social group depends upon the loyalty of its members. a) Give the meaning of each of the following terms: I. group II. formal group b) Give ONE example of a formal group (3 mks) 2) State THREE factors that help to keep members loyal to the objectives of their group (3 mks) 3) Explain THREE ways in which an adolescent may benefit from being an active member of a formal social group (6 mks) 4) As leader of a youth group, suggest THREE actions you may take to encourage members to participate in group activities (6 mks) TOTAL 18 MARKS
5. In most Caribbean countries the nursery/preschool is the first level of the educational system. a) Name TWO other levels of the educational system (2 marks) b) State TWO ways in which pre-school education benefits young children (4 marks) a) Give THREE reasons why some Caribbean countries are expanding their technical education programmes (6 marks) b) Suggest TWO ways in which the educational system in your country may be improved (6 marks)