Primary and secondary groups

The distinction between Primary and Secondary groups serves to identify between two orders of social organisation through analysis of the group "amalgamator" and its nature. Tendentially, a primary group's amalgamator will be stronger and less externally (from the group's perspective) malleable, whereas a secondary group is more likely to effect and become effect of external pressures as its "amalgamator" is, so to speak, less primally bonding.

Primary groups

It is the hypotenuse of the first group that has the effect. A primary group is a typically small social group whose members share close, personal, enduring relationships. These groups are marked by members' concern for one another, and shared activities and culture. Examples include family, childhood friends, and highly influential social groups. The concept of the primary group was introduced by Charles Cooley, a sociologist from the Chicago School of sociology, in his book Social Organization: A Study of the Larger Mind. Although the group initially referred to the first intimate group of a person's childhood, the classification was later extended to include other intimate relations. Primary groups play an important role in the development of personal identity. A primary group is a group in which one exchanges implicit items, such as love, caring, concern, animosity, support, and such. Examples, of these would be family groups, love relationships, crisis support groups, church groups and such. Relationships formed in primary groups are often long-lasting and goals in themselves. They also are often psychologically comforting to the individuals involved and provide a source of support and encouragement.

Secondary groups

People in a secondary group interact on a less personal level than in a primary group, and their relationships are temporary rather than long lasting. Since secondary groups are established to perform functions, people’s roles are more interchangeable. A secondary group is one you have chosen to be a part of. They are based on interests and activities. They are where many people can meet close friends or people they would just call acquaintances. Secondary groups are groups in which one exchanges explicit commodities, such as labor for wages, services for payments, and such. Examples of these would be employment, vendor-to-client relationships, and such.

An example of fitting in both groups

Some groups might be part of both. People on sports teams might be very close and consider themselves to be family. They can be a small group with close and enduring relationships. That makes them fit into the primary group definition. You chose to be part of this group, and although you might stay in touch with these same members, once you stop playing most of you will lose contact. This fits into the definition of a secondary group.

See also

• Social group
• Reference group
• Sociology
• Dyad
• Triad

Sources and external links

• Appelbaum, R. P., Carr, D., Duneir, M., Giddens, A., 2009, "Conformity, Deviance, and Crime." Introduction to Sociology, New York, NY: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., p 137.

• McGraw Hill online Sociology Glossary