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Types of Groups, Group Structure, Conflict, and Behaviour

Overview​

This file provides comprehensive coverage of how social psychologists classify the many types of human groups, the structural elements that give groups their organisation, the nature and functions of group conflict, and how groups collectively behave and act. This is one of the most content-rich topics in MPC-004 Block-4.

Source PDFs:

Types of Groups: Classification Systems​

Groups can be classified along multiple dimensions. The IGNOU material presents several overlapping classification systems:

Classification 1: By Degree of Intimacy​

Primary Groups (Cooley, 1909)​

  • Characteristics: Intimate, face-to-face relationships; maximum "we-feeling"; small size; long-term
  • Examples: Family, close friend groups, village community, play groups
  • Psychological function: Primary locus of emotional attachment, moral socialisation, and identity formation

Secondary Groups​

  • Characteristics: Relationships are more formal and impersonal; larger size; interaction is means to an end; common interest as the bond
  • Examples: Trade unions, professional associations, religious organisations, university departments
  • Psychological function: Instrumental goal achievement; broader social networks
DimensionPrimary GroupSecondary Group
Relationship qualityIntimate, personalFormal, impersonal
SizeSmallLarge
InteractionFace-to-face, frequentIndirect, infrequent
BondEmotionalCommon interest
DurationLong-lastingTask-duration
ExampleFamilyTrade union

Classification 2: By Social Boundaries​

In-Group (We-Group)​

  • Groups with which we identify ourselves — sharing common object, interest, and "we-feeling"
  • Members treat outsiders as "others"
  • Can be formed on the basis of relationship, nationality, political interests, economic interests
  • Psychological significance: Ingroup members receive preferential treatment (ingroup favouritism); even minimal group conditions trigger this

Out-Group​

  • Groups whose members are considered outsiders by the ingroup
  • "Them" as opposed to "us"
  • Intergroup conflict typically involves ingroup-outgroup dynamics

Classification 3: By Norms and Rules​

Formal Groups​

  • Formed on the basis of specific norms, rules, and values
  • Have clear structure, defined roles, explicit rules
  • Examples: Classroom, military unit, legal court, a registered NGO

Informal Groups​

  • Nature is unstructured; rules are flexible
  • Form spontaneously based on common interests, proximity, or affinity
  • Examples: Play groups, peer groups, social clubs, WhatsApp friend groups

Classification 4: By Purpose and Structure​

Group TypeDefinitionExample
OrganisedFormed for specific purpose, carefully plannedFamily, school
SpontaneousForm without planningAudience at a public speech
CommandSpecified by organisational chartSupervisor + direct reports
TaskWork together to achieve a specific taskProject team
FunctionalCreated to accomplish goals within open timeframeMarketing department
InterestBound by common interest; may cross departmentsBook club, sports group
FriendshipBased on shared social activities, beliefs, bondsCollege friend group
ReferenceGroup against which people evaluate themselvesPeer group used for social comparison

Classification 5: Temporary Groups​

Temporary groups have distinctive sequencing:

  1. First meeting sets the group's direction
  2. First phase is one of inertia
  3. A transition occurs at the midpoint (exactly half of allotted time)
  4. The transition initiates major changes in activity
  5. A second phase of inertia follows
  6. The last meeting shows markedly accelerated activity

This "punctuated equilibrium" model (Gersick, 1988) explains why project groups often produce most of their work in a rush near the deadline — a familiar pattern for any student!

Other Informal Group Types​

  • Clique: Informal, tight-knit group (common in schools/colleges) with shared interests and an established power structure
  • Community: People with overlapping commonalities, often in proximity, with some degree of continuity
  • Gang: Informal urban group gathering in a particular area; less structured than a club
  • Team: Group working toward a common goal with high coordination; mutual accountability
  • Squad: Small team (3–8 people) working toward a specific goal

Group Structure​

Group structure refers to the pattern of interrelationships among group members that makes the group's functioning orderly and predictable.

Four key aspects of group structure:

1. Role​

The typical part played by an individual group member in accordance with the expectations of other members.

  • Roles assign responsibilities and behaviours to specific positions within the group
  • Role conflict occurs when a person occupies multiple roles with incompatible demands
  • Role ambiguity occurs when expectations are unclear

Example: In a student project group, one member takes the "coordinator" role (scheduling, reminders), another takes the "creative" role (generating ideas), and another takes the "critic" role (quality checking).

2. Norms​

Rules and mutual expectations that develop within the group to regulate behaviour.

  • Norms ensure conformity and predictability
  • Can be explicit (written rules) or implicit (unspoken expectations)
  • Violation of group norms leads to social pressure and potential ostracism

Example: In an Indian family, norms about respecting elders (touching feet, not arguing publicly) are rarely written down but powerfully enforced.

3. Status​

The relative prestige or social position given to groups or individuals by others.

  • Higher-status members have more influence over group decisions
  • Status hierarchies emerge in both formal groups (job titles) and informal groups (popularity, expertise)
  • Status inconsistency (e.g., high education but low income) can create psychological strain

4. Group Cohesiveness​

The degree of attraction among group members and the strength of "we-feeling."

  • High cohesiveness = members stay in the group, work together, support each other
  • Highly cohesive groups can be more productive but also more vulnerable to groupthink
  • Cohesiveness is built through shared experiences, successful goal achievement, and perceived similarity

Group Conflict​

Group conflict (or group intrigue) occurs when social behaviour causes groups of individuals to conflict with each other, or when conflict occurs within a group.

Common causes of group conflict include:

  • Differences in social norms
  • Differences in values
  • Differences in religion, caste, or political beliefs
  • Competition for resources

Constructive vs Destructive Conflict​

TypeNatureEffect
Constructive conflictProblems raised, alternative solutions offered, while valuing othersLike nourishing the goose: group can produce even better outcomes
Destructive conflictCreates hostility, poisons group synergyLike poisoning the goose: production ceases or quality falls

The IGNOU text uses a powerful metaphor: destructive conflict is "like poisoning the goose that lays the golden eggs" — it destroys the very source of group productivity.

Key principle: Conflict is inevitable in groups. The goal is not to eliminate conflict but to channel it constructively — using disagreement to surface better ideas and solutions.

Group Conflict in India​

Indian society provides vivid examples of intergroup conflict along multiple fault lines:

  • Caste conflicts: Disputes between different caste groups over reservations, land, and social status
  • Communal conflicts: Hindu-Muslim-Sikh-Christian intergroup tensions
  • Language conflicts: Disputes between linguistic communities (e.g., Marathi-North Indian tensions in Mumbai)
  • Labour conflicts: Management-worker conflicts in industrial settings

Group Behaviour and Group Action​

What Is Group Behaviour?​

Group behaviour refers to situations where people interact in large or small groups, creating behaviour that differs from individual behaviour.

Herd behaviour occurs in large groups: people in the same place act simultaneously to achieve a goal that differs from what individuals would do alone.

Examples of Large-Group Behaviour​

  1. Crowd "hysteria": Emotional contagion spreading through a crowd
  2. Spectator behaviour: A stadium audience behaving uniformly (cheering, booing) in response to events
  3. Public behaviour: People watching the same TV channel may react similarly even though physically separated — occupying the same "virtual" social space

Group Action vs Group Behaviour​

ConceptDefinitionExample
Group behaviourUncoordinated — people in one place behaving similarlyCrowd panic
Mass actionSimilar behaviour on a global scaleShopping behaviour trends
Group actionCoordinated behaviour by many agents toward a shared goalOrganised march, protest
Swarm intelligenceGroup of agents interact to fulfil a task; relevant to AI algorithmsAnt colony, bird murmuration

When Group Action Occurs​

Group action arises when:

  1. Social agents realise they are more likely to achieve goals acting together than individually
  2. Actions are coordinated — not just parallel individual actions
  3. There is a shared goal that justifies collective effort

Examples: Strikes (industrial action), mass protests, emergency response teams, military operations.

External Learning Resources​

Foundational Sources​

Educational Videos​

Research Papers (2020–2024)​

  • 📄 Levine, J. M., & Moreland, R. L. (2023). Small groups. In Handbook of Social Psychology (5th ed.), Wiley. — Comprehensive modern overview
  • 📄 Stacey, A. W., & Newcomb, M. D. (2023). Peer group influence on substance use behaviour: A 20-year longitudinal study. Developmental Psychology, 59(2), 245–263.
  • 📄 Hasan, Y. et al. (2022). Group conflict, intergroup contact and prejudice reduction: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 148(7–8), 413–441.

Memory Aid: GROUP Structure​

Remember the four elements of group structure with G-R-O-U-P:

  • Group cohesiveness — the glue that holds members together
  • Roles — the parts each member plays
  • Organisation through norms — the rules that regulate behaviour
  • Understanding of status — the hierarchy of prestige
  • Pattern of interaction — the overall structure of relationships

Comparative Summary: All Group Types​

Self-Assessment Questions​

1. Distinguish between primary groups and secondary groups with two examples of each.

2. What is the difference between an in-group and an out-group? Why is this distinction important in social psychology?

3. List the four important aspects of group structure and briefly define each.

Exam Tips​

High Exam Importance
  • Types of groups: This is a standard 10–15 mark question. Organise your answer using the classification systems (by intimacy, by norms, by purpose).
  • Group structure: Short to medium answer (6–8 marks). Use the four elements: Role, Norms, Status, Cohesiveness.
  • Group conflict: Often asked in 5–8 mark format. Distinguish constructive from destructive.
  • Group behaviour vs group action: Include examples for each.
Common Exam Mistake

Students confuse Reference Groups with In-groups. A reference group is used for comparison (e.g., evaluating whether you are rich or poor compared to your neighbours). You may or may not be a member of your reference group. In-groups are groups you actively belong to.

Cross-References​