Informal group

In sociology and other social sciences, informal groups are social groups that have formed more or less spontaneously and that have neither formal structures nor set goals. However, the absence of formal structures does not mean that there is no clear division of roles in such groups or that everyone can simply join the group.

One cannot simply join an informal group or clique , but is accepted informally. People who are not members of the informal group are quickly shown the limits.

The cliques or groups of friends of adolescents, but also Skat rounds or recreational football teams are viewed as typical informal groups .

In contrast, there is the formal group , which has already developed these formal structures and has a permanent membership.

Examples

• The Edelweiss Pirates were loose groups of young people who took part in the resistance against National Socialism and, for example, did not join the Hitler Youth
• Peer groups
• clique

See also

• Internal structure
• Primary group

literature

• Rudolf Bluhm: Clique - On the problem of a power phenomenon. In: Manfred Bauschulte, Volkhard Krech , Hilge Landweer (eds.): "Paths - Pictures - Games". Festschrift for Jürgen Frese's 60th birthday . Aisthesis, Bielefeld 1999, ISBN 3-89528-209-X , pp. 79-88.