small group in social psychology - the main object of study.The scientists was assembled a rich theoretical and experimental material, which led to the generalization of scientific and methodological basis to create discipline.Consider the basic situation.
small social group is an association of individuals who have direct personal contact and relate to some activities related or emotional intimacy.Its members are aware of belonging to it and recognized by others.
in a community typically includes a small number of individuals, and the composition is determined by the social characteristics (age, sex, education, ethnicity, and so on.) And number.
small social group has a different structure, which can be determined by:
- firstly, the responsibilities of its members in the joint venture;
- secondly, the roles (the expected action) a person for whom fixed specific duties;
- thirdly, the rules (regulations, requirements, wishes socially approved behavior).
small social group can be classified in several ways.
Firstly, according to the method of formation are allocated:
- formal arising for the performance of specific functions in an organization, and there is a group of three to fifteen people;
- informal, formed on the basis of mutual sympathy and interest, which can be anywhere from three to ten people.
Secondly, the degree of formation of interpersonal relations are distinguished:
- differential small social group, which come of their own accord;
- team, formed out of necessity.
Thirdly, the following groups are classified according to the importance of each individual in them:
- all required all members (this is usually a formal association);
- referential small social group - is a conditional or a real community, with which every individual will relate itself as a model, and evaluation values, opinions and rules which will be oriented behavior.
Such social communities have specific functions:
- Regulatory and comparative.It implies that it is formed by the standard and norms of behavior, and environmental assessment and a specific individual.
- Instrumental due to the fact that the need for joint activities.
- maintain and expressive function associated with providing emotional needs of each individual.
inside small social groups of the various processes, due to which the group changes its shape and developing.
The main of them is the group dynamics.Beneath it is the process of separation or cohesion of the group, the emergence of formal and informal leadership, the formation of rules and regulations, the development of informal associations within the formal and dislikes and likes.
In addition, no less important is the process of establishing the rules of an existing group, that is, the prevailing rules of behavior for each individual separately.These standards promote effective group interaction, and small social group is more cohesive.Due to the existing rules will increase the pressure on each individual.Therefore, the group using them can cause everyone to follow the standards, supporting the integration of the members of the group.
third process is that in a small social community there is a certain hierarchy.Provided a leader who can be both formal, who was appointed official and unofficial, who chose the group itself.The remaining members of the community should be clearly aware of their roles and responsibilities.
