A social institution, by definition, consists of interconnected social units. The smallest indivisible unit is the individual. It somehow affects the general social life of the state.
Social units of society
Both by his activity and inactivity, a person by and large determines the complex social situation of the state, adding to other individuals. Thus, together they statistically and collectively constitute a general scheme. There is also a social association consisting of more than one person. Regardless of what the main features of a social group and community are, it can consist of any number of members, from two or more.
Why is it important to study social communities and groups
Social units independently participate in the public life of the state, determining in many respects the structure and direction of the state institution. Therefore, it is extremely important to study them. Sociologyanalyzes the main features of social groups and communities, the trends of their behavior, the patterns of formation and subsequent activity, as well as the features of the interaction of members of associations within the structure and the ability of such an association to influence its environment.
Arbitrary generalities
Any association of people who have something in common can be called a community. They have common interests or similar outlooks on life. However, not all such associations can be called social. These associations can be delimited territorially or separated in time. People who have similar interests may not even know about each other and not aspire to any particular structure or joint activity. They may not express their position in life in any way and may not have clear motives. If the orientation of the association is not formalized, and it does not have a specific goal, then it cannot be called social. It does not conduct social activities as a separate, independent participant in the social life of the state. Then what are the main signs of a social group and community?
When communities become social
Members of a social association have similar social aspects of life. This may be a similar social position, status or the need for joint social activities, as well as the cultivation of the same values. Such an association necessarily has a common goal, to whichaspired by all members, and it usually has a common charter. Although the concept of a charter here takes on a very vague framework, because not all social associations exist formally. In an informal environment, rules and norms also exist, but for the most part they are established behind the scenes and do not have strict parameters.
Social communities
Social community is an association in the broader sense of this concept, partially including groups in its definition. What are the main features of a social group, as opposed to a community? This is not determined quantitatively, but according to certain characteristics that characterize the social unit. A social community can be an association that represents an integral system and which can act as a formed unit. The main features of a social group are, as for a community, unity, membership and usefulness. Unity within a social community also has rather blurred boundaries, because such a formation can form for various periods of time - from an hour at a demonstration to many centuries of belonging to a particular nation or religion.
Membership of a social community may not have status, but at the same time, each member of the association is aware of himself as a participant and has common motives and goals. The usefulness here means the self-sufficiency of the community in relation to energy and ideological resources for continued existence and self-development.
Social groups
Whatmain features of a social group? The association of people aimed at the same goal, guided by the same motives, having a single ideology, is called a social community - what then is a social group? To understand what are the main features of a social group, you can consider it against the background of commonality. A social group is a more concrete formation that has all the signs of a social community, but has a clearer structure.
Usually such a group has an established leader, a certain set of rules that all members of the association are familiar with and which they adhere to, and, most importantly, the members of the group directly interact with each other. That is, they take an active part in the activities of the entire social unit. In addition, participation is often regulated. They are in contact with each other and are in the same territory. In modern society, the concept of territory in this case must be considered not only as a physical, but also as an interactive space, provided that the main features of a social group are preserved. Social communities and groups are real units that exist in a specific time and space, which can be described using empirical measurements.
Small social groups
A small social group is a society of people united by one activity, common interests, motives and goals. Here, as in a simple social group, members interact with each other.to achieve a result, but the peculiarity of a small social group is that all members know each other personally. There is no unequivocal opinion on the quantitative composition of the small group. Some sociologists are inclined to believe that the number of participants can be from 2 to 15, others claim that this figure cannot exceed 10, and someone believes that even a group of 20 people is capable of sustainable existence with all the specific properties of such an association.
Nevertheless, the main features of a small social group can be distinguished: the number of members, which fluctuates between 7-9 people; direct contact between participants; common goals and ways to achieve them; Team work; localization in a certain area and at a certain time. Also, the main and no less important features of a small social group are the recognition by outsiders of a group member as a component of this group, a hierarchical system, logistics and distribution of tasks between members of the association.
