Explain the major criteria used for classifying groups.

We know very well that all groups are not alike. Everyone of us can see differences among various groups based on size, proximity, complexity, membership, goal and means.

1. Size: Some groups are small while others are large. For example, a family is generally a small group in size, while political party may be very big i.e. membership.

2. Other Major Criteria : Groups may be divided into primary, secondary, in-groups, out-groups, membership, non-membership, formal informal, etc.

3. Relationship : On the basis of individual's orientation in relation to a group, the concept of reference - group has also taken shape in sociology.

4. Intimate Groups : These groups are always large in size.

5. Impersonal Groups : These groups are always large in size.

6. Primary Group: These are always small in size. It refers to small associations of people connected by ties of emotional feelings.

7. Secondary Group : Impersonal, formal and indirect relations prevail among the members of this type of group.

8. In - Group: These groups are ‘we groups: For any individual ‘In-group’ is the group to which he belongs. The groups with which the individual indentifies himself are his in-groups: family, tribe, sex, college, or occupation by virtue of one's awareness of likeness or consciousness of kind.

9. Out-Group : These group are ‘They group’ or ‘Others group’. An out-group is a circle of people to which an individual feels no sense of belongingness. For examples, a tiller of the soil

in our country views his landlord as out-group. It follows that out-group is defined by the individual with relation to the in–group, generally expressed in the contrast between ‘we’ and ‘they’ or ‘other’.

10. Formal Groups : These groups tend to be either large or a part of a large organisation. An army and a labour union is the example of formal group.

11. Informal Groups : These are social units which have all group characteristics. They have established system of interpersonal relations, joint activities, the feeling of belongingness to a group but they lack any legal staus. For example clubs or sports sections, societies etc.