Primary groups are pre-existing formations for an individual. Out of the following points used below, _______ is not a characteristic of primary groups.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → individuals join by choice
Primary groups, such as family, caste and religion, are pre-existing formations which are usually given to the individual.
Option (1) members share close physical proximity — A characteristic of primary groups. In a primary group members have close physical proximity and share warm emotional bonds.
Option (2) boundaries are less permeable — A characteristic of primary groups. In the primary group boundaries are less permeable: members do not have the option to choose its membership, while in a secondary group it is easy to leave and join another group.
Option (3) involves face-to-face interaction — A characteristic of primary groups. A primary group has face-to-face interaction, while relationships in secondary groups are more impersonal, indirect and less frequent.
Option (4) individuals join by choice — Not a characteristic of primary groups. Secondary groups are those which the individual joins by choice, such as a political party. No one chooses the family or caste into which one is born.
NCERT (2025-26): “Primary and Secondary Groups … A major difference between primary and secondary groups is that primary groups are pre-existing formations which are usually given to the individual whereas secondary groups are those which the individual joins by choice. Thus, family, caste, and religion are primary groups whereas membership of a political party is an example of a secondary group. In a primary group, there is a face-to-face interaction, members have close physical proximity, and they share warm emotional bonds. Primary groups are central to individual’s functioning and have a very major role in developing values and ideals of the individual during the early stages of development. In contrast, secondary groups are those where relationships among members are more impersonal, indirect, and less frequent. In the primary group, boundaries are less permeable, i.e. members do not have the option to choose its membership as compared to secondary groups where it is easy to leave and join another group.…” |