Groups are the number of people who identify and interact with one another. They consist of two or more people. People use groups as standards of comparison to define themselves according to who they are and who they are not. Some groups have cultures and norms that encourage innovation and originality, while others encounter difficult status quo. The groups that encounter challenges include deviant subcultures that conflict over rights and resources. The purpose of this discussion is to discuss the different types of groups, Merton's five-part typology of deviance fit, and how groups affect people.
People identify themselves with different groups, and they coexist in those groups. Notable, there are different types of the group, including primary groups, secondary groups, in and out-groups, reference groups, social networks, and online communities ( Long-Crowell, 2017). People fall into groups with the same people they relate to. Thus, some characteristics substitute a group. These groups' main characteristics are mutual awareness, sense of unity, closeness, sense of unity, shared interest, and interdependence. Notably, people identify their social groups, depending on their traits. Social groups act as a great support system for the members of the society. Therefore, groups are expected to fit the need of both society and individuals.
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To fit the needs of society and individuals, a group must practice the concept of entitativity. This concept is vital in guiding individuals on how to relate in groups. Strong views of entitativity assist people to preserve their sense of self-esteem. On the other hand, the concept guides the group members on how to behave with other members of society for the outgroup ( Long-Crowell, 2017). However, some people still develop deviance despite being in social groups. Deviance is the behaviors that violate social norms. Deviance can either be formal or informal. Formal deviance involves committing a crime, while informal deviance is the rejection of folkways. Nonetheless, deviance makes some contributions to society.
Deviance creates a learning opportunity for society; it encourages creativity and innovation. From defiance, society can create norms on telling people how to behave. However, rampant deviance can weaken social norms and create division among the members of society ( Levine & Marques, 2016). Merton developed a deviance typology in an attempt to explain how deviance is fit within society. According to his arguments, there are five categories of deviance based upon conformity: the acceptance of cultural goals. This innovation involves the rejection of traditional, Ritualism rejection of cultural goals, retreatism rejection of cultural and traditional goals, and rebellion attempts to replace society's element. Additionally, Merton used the strain theory to explain stigma.
The strain theory suggests that the social structures within a society must challenge people to commit a crime. The strain must be structural, which refers to how an individual views his/her needs. Further, the theory argues that these structures pressure citizens to commit crimes ( Deflem, & Triplett, 2018). Thus, the theory suggests that it is the cultural and social norms that pressure citizens to commit crimes.
Different groups impact people in different ways. Primary groups are known to be psychologically comforting and influential in developing a personal identity. For secondary groups they fulfill the specific goals and interests of members ( Long-Crowell, 2017). Additionally, there are reference groups which influence the behavior of family member. However, it is vital to not some groups like In-groups come along with disadvantages. An in-group is when an individual feels she/he belongs to who forms an integral part of an individual. In-groups tend to favoritism other group members. Thus, it is not highly recognizable as people may not engage with others who are not in the group.
The benefits of being in a social group include the feeling of a sense of belonging, encourages productivity, team building, and an opportunity to learn a thing. On the other hand, groups do not encourage individual thinking, unequal participation, and conflicts ( Long-Crowell, 2017). People conform to groups by changing their behaviors and culture to fit in the group. Notably, groups can change and control individuals. Groups influence individuals' decision-making and create a whole new set of norms and beliefs for them.
Belonging to a group gives the individual a whole new set of identity., Therefore, people may lack a sense of belonging when they are not in a group. People that do not belong to a group react by distancing themselves and being withdrawn. Additionally, people without social groups may become deviant, and they will be judged as mentally ill ( Jetten & Hornsey, 2014). Mental illness is usually associated with threat and danger to society. Thus, people find it easy to blame deviance on mental illness. However, not all deviants are mentally ill, but most mentally ill people are considered deviant. Therefore, there is a close relationship between mental illness and deviance.
Conclusively, there are different types of social groups, including primary groups, secondary groups, and reference groups. People identify with groups that suit their attributes. Groups have the potential of developing deviance in society. The strain theory can explain deviance. Notably, it is difficult for individuals to exist in society without groups.
References
Deflem, M., & Triplett, R. A. (2018). Anomie, Strain, and Opportunity Structure: Robert K. Merton’s Paradigm of Deviant Behavior. The Handbook of the History and Philosophy of Criminology , 140.
Jetten, J., & Hornsey, M. J. (2014). Deviance and dissent in groups. Annual review of psychology , 65 , 461-485.
Levine, J. M., & Marques, J. M. (2016). Norm violators as threats and opportunities: The many faces of deviance in groups. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations , 19 (5), 545-552.
Long-Crowell, E. (2017). Types of Social Groups Primary, Secondary and Reference Groups.
