WHAT ARE MEMBERSHIP GROUPS? - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The membership groups are those social groups which a person belongs. Belonging to these groups determines a sense of unity and identity, that is, the individual defines herself as a member of the group and keeps loyalty to it, which determines important issues of her identity. The clearest example of a belonging group is the friends of adolescents.

These groups are fundamental in the development of the personality of all human beings. Belonging to a group can determine your values ​​and preferences, as well as your relationship with people who are not part of the group.

Normally, all individuals belong to groups of different characteristics and different sizes: the family, the school, the church, a sports team, an ethnic group, a town or a nation. Therefore, the construction of your relationships is not based on a single model.

All membership groups are different from each other. Each one meets for a different purpose and defines, implicitly or explicitly, their moral values, their culture and their norms of relationship.

In the same way, the limits of the group are defined, that is, the characteristics of the members that differentiate them from the others. These features are extremely diverse, they can range from physical issues such as the way they dress, to ideological issues such as the political choice of the members.

How are membership groups chosen?

People are part of different groups throughout their lives. Membership in these groups can occur in different ways.

In some cases, this membership may be elective. For example, in the case of a group of friends or a political party, the individual can consciously make the decision to join or not.

However, in other cases such as belonging to a family, an ethnic group or a nation, membership is not optional. Therefore, in all cases it is equally influential on the identity and values ​​of all members.

For example, an Afro-descendant person cannot be separated from belonging to this group. However, this belonging can be expressed in many different ways that also include the denial or transformation of the principles instilled by the group.

In this case, even if the person feels ashamed of his origin, the fact that this feeling is shaped by belonging to the group is considered.

Why are membership groups important?

Group dynamics is decisive for the entire human experience. In the first place, these groups have to do with the definition of the values ​​that define human interaction.

For example, the main membership group is the family. It is, especially, because it is within this group that the first perceptions about society are constructed. Religion and ideologies are appropriated by the subjects in their family experience.

Therefore, this interaction tends to also define the choice of other membership groups. The church, school, work or the political party are all spaces that are usually determined by the influence of family values.

In addition, belonging to certain groups can also determine the relationship with people who are not part of them. Prejudice and discrimination also develop in these relationships.

For example, belonging to a high social class determines a relationship of difference with those people who are not part of the same group.

This difference can be perceived as positive or negative, however, it is usually in these cases that the relationships of oppression and discrimination are established.

Therefore, the concept of membership groups is extremely important to understand the functioning of any society.

Membership group limits

The importance of membership groups lies in the notion of belonging to them. For this reason the interpretation of the limits of each group is key to determine who belongs and who does not.

These limits can be of different nature. For example, they can be everyday practices such as eating habits or the use of language, as well as more complex traits such as ethnicity or religion.

In opposition to membership groups there are reference groups. The latter are characterized by the fact that the subject does not belong to them, however, that "non-belonging" also defines their personality or identity.

Types of social groups

Sociologists distinguish between different types of social groups. These groups are classified according to the degree of closeness that the members have with each other:

Primary groups

Primary groups are those in which their members are very close to each other. They are usually small groups, include intimate relationships, and are long-lasting. Therefore, these groups have a great importance in the daily life of individuals.

The term "primary" is used to designate them, because they are the primary source of relationships and the first spaces for socialization of individuals. They are groups that provide love, security and care.

Furthermore, they are crucial in defining the attitudes, values ​​and beliefs of its members. These are determining values ​​that tend to linger for a long time and define people's lives.

The nuclear family is considered the most important primary group, however, there are many other groups that meet these characteristics.

Groups of close friends, for example, are often small and their relationships can be close and long-lasting.

Secondary groups

Secondary groups are characterized by not having much closeness between their members. They can be small or large, but for the most part they are impersonal and are delimited by a certain objective.

Membership in a school, university, or political party are examples of secondary membership groups.

In these cases, the meetings have a specific purpose and the bond between their members is limited to the fulfillment of these purposes. Therefore, there is usually no close emotional bond.

In some secondary groups, members may be in an informal relationship and get to know each other quite well. However, these relationships will be limited to a specific context and will dissolve easily.

However, the boundaries between primary groups and secondary groups are often quite blurred and can vary.

For example, between some students in a school, a closer bond can be generated that transforms into a lasting friendship, that is, a primary group.

References

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4. McLeod, S. (2008). Social Identity Theory. Recovered from: simplypsychology.org
5. Study.com. (SF). In-Group in Sociology: Definition & Overview. Recovered from: study.com.