Report a Violation, The Important Characteristics of Primary Group | Sociology, 10 Importance of Primary Groups in Sociology (606 Words), Secondary Groups: Functions, Characteristics, Classification and Importance. Family in this sense is a primary group because its influence over the child is the earliest. 5. It is not to be supposed that the unity of the primary group is one of mere harmony and love. Even in a family the growth of children beyond a point may make it difficult for the members to come into close contact with each other. Characteristics of Primary Group: Primary groups are universal groups. It is personal, spontaneous, sentimental, inclusive and non-transferable. In a primary group we directly co-operate with our fellows and our relations with them are intimately personal. The person in the primary group is not merely a legal entity, an economic cipher, or a technological cog. Defining primary groups, Cooley writes: “By primary groups, I mean those groups characterised by intimate face-to-face association and cooperation. The primary group is often characterized by a ‘we’ feeling, denoting the intimacy and the feeling of belongingness. Though the secondary groups have overshadowed but not destroyed totally the primary groups. Though members join the group with the motive of satisfying their own interests, yet they should subordinate their interests to the central interests of the group. They look at the world through the same eyes. If people meet merely to satisfy their self, they will not be representing fully the true nature of the primary group which shall find full expression if they come together to study a common subject or remove a common grievance. Each party pursues as one of his ends the welfare of the other. Perhaps the most fundamental distinction between social groups was made by Charles H. Cooley (Human Nature and the Social Order, 1902). Disclaimer 9. Explaining the characteristics of primary relationships, K. Davis (Human Society, 1949) states: “A new personal relationship can be established, an old one can be abandoned, perhaps the driving force that initiated the relationship may give way to another, but no substitution can be made of one individual for one another in the same relationship.” Husband-wife, parent-child, teacher-pupil, friend-friend are a few examples of primary relationships. It is not a means to a superior end but is intrinsically enjoyable. The members typically include family, childhood friends, romantic partners, and members of religious groups who have regular face-to-face or verbal interaction and a shared culture and frequently engage in activities together. A primary group is typically a small social group whose members share close, personal, enduring relationships in which one exchanges implicit items, such … They are also an important source of social control and social cohesion. This feature is clearly evident in a discussion group where each member presents his own view-point and takes the view-point of others. Spatial proximity – physical closeness of members. (1) They are primary for the formation of habits and attitudes; (2) They are fundamental to the development of ‘social self and moral knowledge; (3) They impart basic training in social stability, solidarity and cooperation among persons; (4) They play a pivotal role both in the socialisation process and in the development of roles and statuses; (5) They are most efficient humaniser of animal drives (sex, hunger, anger etc.) Content Filtrations 6. Famous sociologists Prof. K. Davis divide these characteristics as internal and external… Thus close scrutiny of Cooley’s definition reveals some ambiguity, yet the differentiation of groups into primary and secondary ones is an important one. Face-to-face group and direct co-operation not only increase the economy and convenience of the members but also satisfy the need of their nature—the need for society. 6. In a small group the members can know one another personally and develop a group character and an intimacy more quickly. To Sumner ’ s sentiments and welfare them in the words of Cooley, primary groups are main... As persons in such groups, social contacts are intimate, personal, and sentiments ( )... Economic cipher, or a technological cog the first sociologist to draw attention. The child is the earliest become less frequent a discussion group where each member presents his own view-point takes! Life experience depends on the situation as defined in the words of Cooley, the family embodies all the characteristics... May have similar desires and attitudes so that what primary group characteristics experiences the also... 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