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Think about your day-to-day life and the various social interactions you have. In the morning, before going to school, you interact with your family members; in school, you discuss topics and issues with your teachers and classmates; and after school you phone up, visit or play with your friends. In each of these instances, you are part of a group which not only provides you the needed support and comfort but also facilitates your growth and development as an individual. Have you ever been away to a place where you were Introduction without your family, school, and friends? How did you feel? Did you feel there was something vital missing in your life? Our lives are influenced by the nature of group membership we have. It is, therefore, important to be part of groups which would influence us positively and help us in becoming good citizens. In this chapter, we shall try to understand what groups are and how they influence our behaviour. At this point, it is also important to acknowledge that not only do others influence us, but we, as individuals, are also capable of changing others and the society. N ATURE AND F ORMATION OF G ROUPS A group may be defined as an organised system of two or more individuals, who are interacting and What is a Group? The preceding introduction illustrates the interdependent, who have common motives, have a set of role relationships among its importance of groups in our lives. One members, and have norms that regulate question that comes to mind is: “How are the behaviour of its members. groups (e.g., your family, class, and the group with which you play) different from Groups have the following salient characteristics : other collections of people?” For example, • A social unit consisting of two or more people who have assembled to watch a cricket match or your school function are individuals who perceive themselves as belonging to the group. This at one place, but are not interdependent characteristic of the group helps in on each other. They do not have defined distinguishing one group from the roles, status and expectations from each other. In the case of your family, class, other and gives the group its unique identity. and the group with which you play, you • A collection of individuals who have will realise that there is mutual common motives and goals. Groups interdependence, each member has roles, function either working towards a there are status differentials, and there given goal, or away from certain are expectations from each other. Thus, threats facing the group. your family, class and playgroup are examples of groups and are different from • A collection of individuals who are interdependent, i.e. what one is doing other collections of people. may have consequences for others. 121 Chapter 7 • Social Influence and Group Processes Reprint 2026-27