What is a Social Group? definition, & Characteristics

Social groups - what they are, their definition, and their characteristics.
As humans, we live in groups and social interaction is an essential part of our lives.

As you know that sociology is the study of social groups. Humans are social animals and need to interact with others to fulfill their physical, social, and psychological needs. A social group is formed when two or more individuals come together and interact frequently, perceiving the contact as meaningful. Group membership gives a sense of belonging and each member has a position and role within the group. Group members share goals or objectives and work together to achieve them. Understanding social groups is important for understanding human behavior in society.

. Harry Johnson defined sociology as "the science that deals with social groups," Harry Johnson emphasizing the importance of studying social groups in sociology.
Man is not just an animal by birth but becomes a social animal through socialization, which mainly occurs through groups.

Now, let's take a look at some scholar definitions of social group

According to Theodore Mills, a social group is a group of two or more individuals who come into contact with each other to achieve a purpose and perceive such contact as meaningful.

According to Ogburn and Nimkoff, "Whenever two or more individuals come together and influence one another, they may be said to constitute a social group."

Eli Chinoy said that a social group consists of individuals whose relationships depend on a set of interrelated roles and statuses.

From these definitions, we can conclude that, Social group is defined as when two or more individuals come together and influence each other.
A group needs at least two people to exist.
A group of two people is the smallest social groupis called a Dyid while a group of three is called a Triad.

Now, let's discuss the characteristics of social groups.

1) A group consists of two or more individuals.Two or more individuals are required to form a group.
2) There is a common purpose, goal, and understanding among the group members.
3) Social interaction takes place between individuals in a group, and everyone is aware of it. They have to interact frequently. They have to be aware of these interactions. They need to feel that these interactions are meaningful.
4) Group members have a sense of cooperation. Group membership is the sense that we belong, just like the sense that other people are members of our group.
5) There is a sense of unity groups, in (similar norms, values, and expectations).
6) A group has a structure.
7) in social groups Inter-group relations are relatively permanent contacts among the members.