Basic Sociological Concepts

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One basic sociological concept is groups. A social group, as defined by sociologists, is simply a collection of people who interact with each other. This could include a tribe, a town, or a group of coworkers. A primary group is an intimate group that interacts by direct, face-to-face communication, such as a family or close friend. A secondary group relies on rules to enforce behaviour and is highly impersonal. Workers in a factory are a type of secondary group. This categorisation of groups is based on the work of a sociologist who studied the changes that took place in society when it changed from a traditional, rural environment to a modern, industrialised one. Ethnocentrism is another key concept. This refers to feelings of superiority