UCSP – Quarter 1: Module 5

Relationships within social groups begin when its members start to have a
Subject: Understanding Culture, communication and interaction. Working together in a social group is a
Society and Politics necessity to achieve the common set of goals and mutual impact of the
group.
Topic: Forms and Functions of
Social groups
Social Organizations A group is a collection of individuals but its members may differ in
terms of what binds these individuals together. Groups are smaller units
that organized the members of the society into categories.
This module was designed and written to help you in defining culture and Social group can be defined as a collection of people who regularly
society in the perspective of anthropology and sociology. interact with one another on the basis of shared expectations concerning
behavior who share a sense of common identity (Contreras, A. P., et.al.
After finishing this module, you should be able to: (2016). Social groups were classified into different categories according to
1. analyze the forms and functions of social organizations its set of standards: (1) primary groups; (2) secondary group; and (3)
a. traces kinship ties and social networks (UCSP11/12HSOIIi-20) reference group.
b. describe the organized nature of social life and rules governing behavior 1. Primary group is a small and intimate social group whose members
(UCSP11/12HSOIIi-21) share emotion-based, close, and personal interactions. This group
c. compare different social forms of social organization according to their is commonly long-lasting and the interdependence among its
manifest and latent functions (UCSP11/12HSOIIj-22) members is endured by profound relationships, shared activities,
strong personal identity, and concern for one another.
Primary groups include family and friends.
Lesson 2. Secondary group can be a small but larger than primary groups.
This group has more specialized terms of membership with mostly

1 Social Groups
impersonal, short-term, and objective-oriented for a certain period
of time. In contrast with the primary group, interdependence in
secondary group is usually not deep and no intimate interaction
among the members.
Examples of secondary groups are typically found at work and
school. Mutual benefit among the members is the driving force of
In the society where we live, there are different social groups and they
these groups to cooperate with each other. There is no emotional
organize the social life of every individual. Each member of the society has
affinity but there is immediate objective to achieve.
their own given social space to consume. A person may find his own
Secondary groups include workmates, classmates, and
personal identity when they discover what it means to be in a social group.
workplace committees.
Technically speaking, social groups are not made physically by the people
who belong to it. Sociology defines it as a simple collection of people who
happened to be together in a particular place because of their same
interest and common characteristics. You see yourself with others who has
the same interests as yours.

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 UCSP – Quarter 1: Module 5

Comparison of Primary and Secondary Groups according to Contreras, A.P., Reference groups as Identity Groups according to Contreras, A.P., et.al.
et.al. (2016) (2016)
Basic Features (in terms of level Type of reference Basic Features (in terms feeling and
group belongingness) Examples
of intimacy, duration of
Group interaction, and reason for Examples
church groups,
interaction) Social groups to which and interest clubs,
Small; characterized by long- individual feels he or she belongs. neighbors,
In-group
lasting intimate relationship One feels loyalty and aspect for these schoolmates,
family, childhood groups. fraternity, sorority
Primary which binds
friends, best friends
the members together more than
the goal Social groups that an individual does sports team
not identify with. One feels opponent, fans of the
Can be large or small; common Out-group antagonism and competitiveness for rival team, cliques at
interests bind the members project group,
these groups. school, rival gangs
Secondary together more than their research group,
relationship working committee
Networks
The behavior of primary, secondary, or reference groups doesn’t
3. Reference group is a group where an individual compare himself or mean that they are only limited in terms of membership requirements. An
herself which can create an impact to one’s standard of attitude individual often had a complex membership with different social groups and
and behavior. Reference groups are used to guide its member into sometimes there is variation in terms of interaction and relationship.
a specific social attitude and social norms. These groups are Networks refers to the set of linkages, ties, and interconnections
commonly knowns as identity association group because these are among or between the members of the different social groups. This can be
created by a person’s desire and choice to provide a character created formally or informally. With the presence of networks, the
connection. connections of a certain social group is widened when it comes to specific
personal, economic, religious, or political reasons and concerns.
The reference group is considered as a source of role models since the
individual uses it as a standard for self-assessment (Atienza, M.E., et. al,
2016). This can also serve as an agent of socialization and enculturation
because it falls to the category of peer groups and they can be peer pressure
in becoming a member of reference groups.
Reference groups include interest clubs, dance groups, or
sports teams.

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 UCSP – Quarter 1: Module 5

Symbols Used by Anthropologists to Study Patterns of Descent and Kin

Groups
Lesson
Kinship, marriage, and
2 the household
Kinship, marriage, and the household are key concepts in studying the The figure shown below illustrates how one individual usually
organization of a society. There are different natures and forms of kinship, labeled as ego in kinship diagrams. Ego is the person to whom all kinship
types of family, and different marriages accepted across cultures. relationships are referred and ego is shown as being gender nonspecific--
that is, either male or female (O’Neil, 2006). In the case below on the right,
Kinship can be done by different context and process but it will all fall into ego has a brother (Br), sister (Si), father (Fa), and mother (Mo).
the core meaning of kinship which is relationship. Marriage is culture-
specific, each culture has their own custom and way of marriage. The
household includes individuals who forms a family whether by the
conventional image or not.

These ideas are vital in social institution because they perform a huge role
in the society. Social order is attained and maintained through these social
institutions as it affects the lives of the members of the society. There are two principles of descent: (1) unilineal descent; and (2)
bilateral descent. Unilineal descent is usually traced through a single line
Types of Kinship of ancestors from either male or female or commonly known in two basic
forms: (1) matrilineal or the links of the female line ancestors; and (2)
patrilineal or the links of the male line ancestors. Both males and females
Kinship is a socially accepted relations that defines the relationship of are members of the unilineal family and links are only recognized through
individuals linked and developed by blood, marriage ties, culturally relatives of one gender.
accepted rituals, and legal adoption.
The figure below shows the patrilineal form of descent.

1. Kinship by blood or consanguineal kinship refers to relationship by

descent which refers to biological relations or by marriage. This is achieved
by birth and is existing between parents and their children, siblings, and
other relatives. Descent can be traced through lineage or the line where
one’s descent is tracked either in mother or father’s line.

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 UCSP – Quarter 1: Module 5

The figure below shows the matrilineal form of descent. Marriage Across Cultures

Article 1 of the Family Code of the Philippines defines marriage as a special

contract of permanent union between a man and a woman entered into
accordance with law for the establishment of conjugal and family life.
Marriage is a culture specific social institution where two individuals enter
a family life and make an official declaration of their lifetime union as
married couples.

However, bilateral descent or nonunilineal descent principle is a kinship

based on both male and female line of ancestors. In this case, the links of This is a compulsory marriage of two individuals within
the ancestral lines of both mother and father is traced. their own particular group. This is a practice of some
societies which is based on their own culture and tradition
Endogamy as a community, ethnic, social class, race, or religious
The figure below shows the bilateral form of descent. marriage group. India is the most famous country which is used to
practice endogamy until the middle of the 20th century.

This is a marriage where an individual is mandated to

marry someone outside his/her own group who came into
Exogamy or a different social category as his/hers. This marriage is
outmarriage practiced by some societies to prevent incest – marriage
within one’s own family or clan.
2. Kinship by marriage or affinal kinship refers to the type of relations
developed when marriage takes place. When marriage occurs, new forms of
relationship are developed because the husband and wife forms new This comes from the Greek words monos (one or single)
relations with the families of each other same as with their own families. and gamos (union, marriage) which literally mean “one
Monogamy union or marriage.” This means that a spouse cannot have
more than one spouse aside from her original spouse.
3. Kinship by rituals or compadrazgo which means god parenthood.
This is a system of fictive kinship that originates in the Medieval Catholic
Church in Europe. This can be done through baptism, confirmation, or
marriage. There are no blood relations but compadrazgos became a family This refers to a marriage where a spouse can have more
because they were chosen by the biological parents to act as witnesses. than one spouse. Poly is a Greek word which means
“many.” There are two kinds of polygamy: (1) polygyny (the
Polygamy husband has multiple wives), this is the common practice
People in this kinship are these what we call ninong (godfather), ninang of Muslims; and (2) polyandry (the wife has multiple
(godmother), kumare (female godparent), kumpare (male godparent), and husband), it was a custom in India during the ancient
inaanak (godson or goddaughter). The Philippines practices this kind of times.
kinship.

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 UCSP – Quarter 1: Module 5

Referred Marriage and Arranged Marriages Postmarital Residency Rules

In different societies and culture, finding a partner to get married Traditionally speaking, there are rules of residence in the couple’s
can be done differently from what others used to know. There are societies permanent address after marriage. Kinship has something to do with the
who do matchmaking in finding partners. Matchmakers are those who help married couple’s residency that can affect consanguineal and affinal kinship
their single friends or relatives in finding a life partner. This act is called relationships. There are forms of rules of residence:
referred marriage where the life partner came from referrals of friends or This rule of residence happens when married couples settled
relatives. independently and build their own home far from the place of
Meanwhile, there are also societies who used to practice arranged 1. Neolocal
both of their family, relatives, or other kin.
or fixed marriage. This custom is done by the parents, community leaders,
or religious leaders of the man and the woman. For some societies, this is
done to man and the woman to assure that the groom or bride will marry This rule of residence happens when married couples stay in
2. Patrilocal the house of the husband’s family, relatives, or other kin.
the most appropriate person according the rules set by the family,
community, or religious group. These includes the following:
This rule of residence happens when married couples stay in
the house or near the house of the wife’s family, relative, or
3. Matrilocal
other kin.
refers to marriage that will be completed in
the future time set by the parents of the
1. Child marriage
children involved. It is the parents who do This rule of residence happens when married couples stay in
the arrangement of such kind of marriage. the house or near the house of both husband’s and wife’s
4. Biolocal
family, relative, and other kin alternately.
2. Exchange marriage a form of marriage where there is a
reciprocal exchange of spouses between two
groups. The Family and the Household
occurs when the arrangement of marriage The family is considered as the basic unit of the society. It is made up of
happens between two royal or political individuals who are linked together by marriage, blood, relations, or
3. Diplomatic marriage adoption (Contreras, A.P. et. Al, 2016). The family performs a social roles of
families to establish political or diplomatic
alliances a husband, wife, father, mother, brother, and sister. There several kinds of
families:
happens when the arrangement of marriage 1. Nuclear family is made up of people who are united by social ties which
has a consent of the child. There are is usually composed of the parents and their children.
possible choices of potential husband or 2. Extended family is a family that extends beyond the nuclear family
wife and the two children will be given because it includes grandparents, aunts, uncle, cousins, or other relatives.
4. Modern arranged
enough time to get to know each other 3. Reconstituted family or blended family is a type of family which is
marriage
before they decide to do the marriage. composed of the spouses and their children from previous partners. This is
Though there is a consent from the child, sometimes called as complex family or step family and the parents may or
parents have the authority to interfere their may not have children with each other.
child’s choice.

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 UCSP – Quarter 1: Module 5

ASSESSMENT: _______________ 7. Mutual benefit and the immediate objective to achieve are
the driving force of secondary groups to cooperate with each other.
Part I. AGREE OR DISGAREE. Analyze each statement below. According _______________ 8. We commonly see reference groups in corporations,
to the lesson discussed, write on the blank if you agree or disagree with professional gatherings, and religious organizations.
the statement. _______________ 9. Reference groups are used to guide its member into a
_______________ 1. Consanguineal kinship is achieved by birth. specific social attitude and norms while primary and secondary groups are
_______________ 2. Descent can be traced through lineage or the line where used to form the membership of an individual in the society.
one’s descent is tracked in father’s line only. _______________ 10. Reference group is the standard for assessing the
_______________ 3. Ego is the person to whom all kinship relationships are individual’s choice of primary and secondary group.
referred and with specific gender.
_______________ 4. Both males and females are members of the unilineal Part III.
family and links are only recognized through relatives of one gender. A. How does an individual form a relationship or kinship with another
_______________ 5. Nonunilineal descent principle links of the ancestral lines person or group? Enumerate and define each one by writing your
of both mother and father. answer using any graphic organizer that you know.
_______________ 6. When marriage occurs, new forms of relationship are B. List down the types of marriage using any graphic organizer.
developed. C. List down the kinds of families using any graphic organizer.
_______________ 7. The practice of having ninong and ninang as witnesses of
communion, marriage, and baptism originated in the Philippines. Note: Use three (3) different graphic organizers. Be creative!
_______________ 8. Traditional marriage is a special contract of permanent
union between a man and a woman.
_______________ 9. Endogamy marriage is practiced to prevent incest.
_______________ 10. Diplomatic marriage occurs to establish political
alliances.

Part II. Write YES if you agree with the statement and NO if you don’t.
Use the space provided for your answers.

_______________ 1. Social groups often have its own terms of what binds the
member together.
_______________ 2. Groups are larger units that formed, shaped, and
organized the society.
_______________ 3. The basis of social groups are the shared expectations
concerning behavior who share a sense of common identity.
_______________ 4. Shared activities, strong personal identity, and profound
relationships are the keys to bind the members of the primary group.
_______________ 5. Primary group is larger than secondary group.
_______________ 6. Secondary group is objective-oriented for a long period of
time.