MCAT Basics (from MedSchoolCoach) Social Groups
Oct 1, 2025
Discover the fascinating world of sociological groups and their impact on our lives. Explore the dynamics of in-groups and out-groups, and learn about social networks that connect us. Delve into concepts like groupthink and group polarization, illustrated by historical events such as the Salem witch trials. Unravel the complexities of bureaucracy and the difference between formal and informal organizations. Plus, understand the bystander effect and the phenomenon of deindividuation in crowds, revealing how group behavior shapes our actions.
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How Social Groups Shape Beliefs
- A social group is two or more people who interact, share circumstances, and feel unity.
- Peer groups and reference groups shape beliefs and serve as standards for self-evaluation.
Primary Versus Secondary Groups
- Primary groups are small, close-knit, and enduring like family and lifelong friends.
- Secondary groups are temporary, impersonal, and task-oriented like coworkers or gym staff.
In-Groups And Out-Groups
- In-groups are groups you identify with and out-groups are those you don't.
- Group identity can be based on names, ethnicity, nationality, gender, religion, and more.