The group is one of the fundamental forms of social interaction. People, like many of the representatives of our smaller brothers, come together in groups to meet diverse needs. This process occurs through the interaction of members of the association with each other.
Behavioral differences
The way a person manifests himself in a group can be represented using the simplest example. Imagine that an ordinary person is in the room. He can relax, he can go have lunch, and if he pleases, he will collect his bag and go for a walk. But a completely different picture can be seen when the individual mentioned is a member of the group. Free behavior is possible only if he is in the company of close friends or relatives. In other cases, a person alone and one that is part of a group are practically different people. Psychologists say: only after assessing how a person manifests himself in a group, you can judge his character and personal qualities. It is impossible to form an opinion about an individual without knowing how he behaves in a society of his own kind.
Group types
There are a huge number of groups. These are various social associations, a family circle, a school class, a student group. A person can get into some associations by chance, he becomes part of others at will. Some can be easily abandoned, while others are almost impossible. The way a person manifests himself in a group, in short, largely depends on its type. Among all their diversity, large and small associations are distinguished. The large ones include unions based on professional interests, ethnic groups, and social formations associated with a geographical location. The lifetime of such associations is more than the time of a single person, it depends on historical events.
Crowds
Also referred to the category of groups arising spontaneously. They appear in the form of political meetings, spontaneous actions. The existence of the crowd is short-lived. She disappears as suddenly as she appears. Crowds are often uncontrollable, one of their main properties is a high emotional charge. How does a person manifest himself in a group of this kind?
The first property that determines his behavior is anonymity. A person is lost in a “faceless crowd” and practically ceases to be responsible for his actions. It is from here that the cruelty of the crowd comes, its aggressiveness. In such a group, the individual creates a false feeling that he is free from other types of social ties - for example, he forgets what is part of the work collective, family.
"Dissolution" in the crowd
The way a person manifests himself in a group of this type is largely determined by the mentioned anonymity and irresponsibility. The individual is completely surrendered to power by such instincts, which in his right mind he would never have given free rein. He is unable to process information rationally. If the isolated individual retains the ability to criticize, to observe, then in a person in the crowd it completely disappears.
In a crowd, an individual is subject to association with its other members. Such a group directly affects a person with his presence, he feels its power. This effect can be expressed in two ways - either by strengthening the behavior of the individual, or by suppressing it. A person feels the irresistible force of the crowd, which is due to its huge number. There is no such thing as impossibility. That is why the individual gives himself to the power of instincts.
Man as part of a team
As stated, a person’s behavior changes when he becomes part of a group. Communication of a person in a group significantly affects his motivation, scope of assessments and other characteristics. His interests are becoming wider, because now he is not only busy with himself, but also focuses on the problems of other members of the association.
In addition, in the collective a person is endowed with a certain "weight". People can be in exactly the same positions, do the same job. However, they will have a completely different "weight" within the team. For many, this characteristic is of particular value, because outside the group a person would never be able to gain significance.
The group also affects the self-esteem of the individual, his self-perception. A member of the group gradually identifies with her, which leads to changes in this area. He begins to relate differently to his place under the sun, a new type of worldview is being formed in him.
Role and status
How a person manifests himself in a group (social studies or psychology are usually the subjects in which students study this issue) depends on the individual position of the participant in a particular association, his status. Each group gives its member a certain status. He, in turn, suggests a particular role. The status of a person in a group is a position in relation to other members of the association. A role is a specific set of functions that are assigned to a group member by its other members. It also depends on the specifics of the activity that is characteristic of this group. There are a large number of typologies of roles in a social association. However, most of them are built according to the criteria of power and submission or preference and rejection.
Types of Social Status
A group with a rigid social hierarchy is best suited for understanding various social statuses and roles. Usually it is characterized by a lack of resources, and also within such associations there are problems with their fair distribution. Not the least role in groups of this kind is played by the low social maturity of her leader (or leader). He may not have a notion of morality and values. A person’s place in a group with a rigid social hierarchy is usually indicated by the letter of the Greek alphabet. The following roles are observed in it:
- Alpha is the pack leader. The leader takes priority in the distribution of goods, he has the greatest authority.
- Beta is the second person after the leader in the group. Beta is often smarter than alpha. However, he is not so energetic. He takes the second place in the hierarchy and therefore has the corresponding right to the distribution of goods. Beta is often a kind of custodian of the norms and rules adopted in the group .
- Gamma 1. These are close associates of the group leader, his associates.
- Gamma 2. Group members with this status are usually the most. As a rule, they are inert and often become objects of manipulation by the more “high-ranking” members of the association.
- Gamma 3. This subgroup is also forced to obey, but its representatives are often dissatisfied with the status assigned to them. Members with a higher rank apply to them a “carrot and stick” policy. The role of the “carrot” usually is the opportunity to become close to the upper strata of the group, and the “stick” is a deprivation of rights, a decrease in the amount of remuneration received, sometimes - expulsion from the group, as well as physical violence.
- Gamma 4. This is a kind of "jester" who is allowed to make critical and caustic remarks about other members of the group. Naturally, such permission is given to him by representatives of the highest ranks. Gamma-4 has a special role: it maintains the appearance of “freedom of speech” and “democracy” in the group.
- Omega is an individual who takes on all the aggression of the association. The role of omega is needed so that the group is united. With the help of a person with this status, other members of the association gain a sense of “we”. In the event that a person does not agree with this role and leaves the group, another candidate will soon be in this position.
Group members goals
Typically, the behavior of a group member is aimed at achieving one of two goals - solving practical problems or building relationships. It is difficult for one person to perform both functions at once, so each member of the association either deals with solving practical problems or contributes to the development of harmonious relations in the team.