What are Primary groups ?

2. Definition: As Cooley puts it, 'By primary groups I mean those characterized by intimate face to face association and cooperation. They are primary in many senses, but mainly in that they are fundamental in forming the social nature and ideals of the nature. The result of the intimate association, psychologically, is certain fusion of individuality in a common hold.'

3. Primary groups are generally small in size. The members of such groups are intimate. For example the members of a family are generally intimate. In the same way in peer groups the individuals have direct contact.

4. Members of the primary group interact and have concern for each other.

5. Charles H. Cooley believes that membership in primary group is the essential link between the individual and society. It is these links that create the co-operation that characterize society.

6. In pre-industrial societies, almost all social life took place in the context of primary groups such as Kinship network as in some village groups in our country.