The Primary Group: A Reappraisal.

The article discusses the concept of the primary group as a part of sociology. The position of this article is that the social-psychological dimension is critical and defines, the concept. It includes two elements, namely, member orientation toward other members in actual or potential activity and the affective aspect of intermember orientation. Formal systems are breeding grounds for primary groups in that they provide conditions under which the first steps, toward primary relations may be taken. Thus the fullest expression of the primary group requires that the members have a unity the existence of which is not contingent upon affiliation with any single formal system. The other element of the social-psychological dimension concerns the emotional quality of the relationship. A simple way of characterizing the emotional quality of a primary group is to say that, over time, there is a strong predominance of feelings of attraction between the members. Groups such as the informal work association, the family, or the play group have been indiscriminately called primary groups because such groups have either been small or have persisted in time, or because the members have mutually engaged in a wide range of activities.