Types of Social Interaction and Meaning and Types of Social Groups | Individual and Group Behaviour

Types of Social Interaction

Social interaction is how people act and respond to one another in society. There are five main types: cooperation, competition, conflict, accommodation, and assimilation. Each type shows a different way people connect or deal with others.

• Cooperation
  Cooperation is when people work together toward a shared goal. It builds teamwork and helps solve problems. For example, in a Pakistani village, families might cooperate to repair a mosque, with everyone contributing time or money for the benefit of all.
• Competition
  Competition happens when people or groups try to outdo each other to achieve something, like a reward or success. It can motivate improvement. For instance, students in a Faisalabad school might compete in a quiz competition to win a prize, encouraging them to study harder.
• Conflict
  Conflict occurs when people disagree or fight over something, such as ideas or resources. It can create tension but also lead to solutions. In Pakistan, neighbours in a rural area might have a conflict over dividing water from a canal for their fields, especially during a drought.
• Accommodation
  Accommodation is when people adjust or compromise to get along and avoid trouble. It shows understanding. For example, during a wedding in Karachi, family members might accommodate each other’s schedules to ensure everyone can attend and enjoy the event.
• Assimilation
  Assimilation is when people from different backgrounds adopt the same habits or ways of life, often blending into a larger group. In Pakistan, someone moving from a small town to a city like Islamabad might start dressing or speaking like city residents to fit in.

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Meaning and Types of Social Groups

A social group is a set of people who interact often and feel connected to each other. Social groups are important because they influence how we behave and see ourselves. There are different types of social groups, with the main ones being primary and secondary groups.

• Primary Groups
  Primary groups are small and close, with strong personal ties that last a long time. The family is a common example. In Pakistan, families often live together and support each other, like when relatives help cook for a big event like Eid-ul-Fitr.
• Secondary Groups
  Secondary groups are larger and more formal, formed for a specific purpose rather than deep personal bonds. For example, a group of teachers at a school in Rawalpindi is a secondary group. They work together to educate students but may not share personal lives like a family does.

Other types of social groups include:

• In-Groups and Out-Groups
  An in-group is one you belong to and feel loyal to, while an out-group is one you feel distant from. For instance, students at a Lahore college might see their sports team as the in-group and a rival team as the out-group during a match.
• Reference Groups
  A reference group is one you admire or use as a standard for yourself. In Pakistan, young people might look to famous doctors or engineers as a reference group, aiming to follow their paths to success.

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Individual and Group Behaviour

Individual behaviour is how a person acts when alone or based on their own choices.

Group behaviour is how people act when they are part of a group, which can differ because of the group’s influence.

• Individual Behaviour
  When alone, a person follows their own thoughts and decisions. For example, a student in Hyderabad might choose to read a book at home to prepare for a test, driven by their personal goal to succeed.
• Group Behaviour
  In a group, people often adjust their actions to match the group’s expectations or norms. For instance, during a school event in Sialkot, a student might join others in cheering loudly, even if they are shy, because the group is excited. Groups can encourage teamwork but sometimes push people to follow along without thinking.