Sociology Answer the folowing question in detail in about 150 to 200 words.

Secondary groups have impersonal, formal, indirect, temporary and goal oriented relationships with large number of members. It is not possible to have regular, permanent, close and intimate relations with everyone. People meet each other only for serving specific purposes. Relations are maintained only when the specific purposes are fulfilled and people are satisfied.

People are always very busy and it is necessary to have appointments before meeting. Secondary group are heterogeneous and formal in natural. People are given time to meet but for that purpose only. People do not meet for long term goals. Free expressions of emotions, feelings and intimacy is not allowed. In secondary group, members have to follow rules and regulations strictly.

Example : (i) Student of a college
(ii) Member of NSUI – National Students Union of India (or) ABVP – Akhil Bhartiya Vidhyarthi Parishad
Characteristics of secondary group with reference to the above mentioned group. Large Size: In college or in NSUI number of students and members is large. Here, the membership is unlimited as compared to primary group.

Indirect relations : Due to large size, direct relations among all the students and members are not possible. To convey any message, we take help of modern means of communication, e.g., mobile phones, e-mail, WhatsApp, etc.

Impersonal relations : As the members are large in size personal interactions is very rarely seen. Here, we do not know each other personally. That is why, relationship is not personal.

Formal relations : Informal relations is not possible because face to face contact can’t take place. People are more goal oriented. Membership is strictly based upon laws and regulations.

(i) In-Group and Out-Group : An In-Group can be defined as any group or category to which people feel they belong. It comprises everyone who is regarded as ‘we’ or ‘us’.
An Out-Group is a group or category to which people feel they do not belong. In-Group simply means ‘we group’ and Out-Group means ‘They-Group’. The members of an in-group identify themselves with one another and have a sense of belongingness to the group.
Example : One’s race, gender, favourite sports team, college. Members of an in-group sometimes feel antagonistic to, especially if the group is perceived as being different culturally or racially.
Example : Fans of opposing sports teams, people of different religion, race, caste etc.

(ii) Voluntary and Involuntary group : According to Charles Elwood voluntary group is a group in which membership is based on deliberate choice.
The members may join or resign from the said group.
Example : Political parties, trade unions, youth organisations, cultural associations etc.
An Involuntary Group is a group in which membership is based on birth or compulsion, rather than on choice.
Example : Groups like family, caste, religious group, race etc.

(iii) Small and Large Group : The term small group is used to refer to a group small enough for all members to interact simultaneously, and is informal in nature.
Example : Certain primary groups such as families.
Small groups include Dyad, Triad and other small groups. The smallest of all small social groups is the “Dyad” or two-member group.
Example : A married couple. Triad is a three member small group.
Example : When the married couple has their first child, the Dyad becomes a “Triad”.
Large Group is large in size and formal in nature.
Example : Nation, State, University.(iv) Primary and Secondary Group : The groups in which individuals work through mutual co-operation and are very closely related are called primary groups.
Example : Family, peer group, kin group, neighbourhood.
The secondary group refers to a formal, impersonal group, where mutual relations of persons are not very close.
Example : Political party, Nation, Commercial companies, Labour Union etc.