Glossary - Sociology Models of Group Systems Groups consist of two or more people who interact on the basis of shared expectations and possess some degree of common identity. Individuals move out of their private, personal realm when they choose to interact with others in a group situation. A group provides an individual an identity and a particular role its operation. The study of the roles of different group members and the interrelationship of the roles is called group structure.
Groups can make membership distinctive by having rituals or symbols as identification.
Members can have a higher feeling of self-worth when involved in the group, and they can compete with other groups for membership and visibility. Groups with distinctive boundaries include sororities and fraternities, organizations like the Masons or Rotary, and gangs. Each of these groups functions within a larger society. Members of Rotary are businessmen and women in communities throughout the world. Members of both social and service sororities and fraternities interact on college campuses and may continue to offer support in the business world.