Ritika, Anwar, Joseph and Meena live in the same housing colony in Pune and take the same school bus every day. They find that all four love cricket, and soon they start a weekend cricket coaching club for the younger children of the colony. In the club, Anwar usually fixes the practice schedule and Meena keeps the accounts. Joseph, the best batsman, is looked up to by the others. Children who join later soon pick up these arrangements.
The four children came to like one another more because their shared love of cricket made the relationship consistent, and people prefer relationships that are consistent. Identify the condition of group formation described here.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Similarity
Option (1) Proximity — Incorrect. Proximity is being near others, so that repeated interactions give a chance to know them. The bus rides did this, but the liking described here comes from the consistency of matching interests.
Option (2) Security — Incorrect. Security is a reason for joining a group: groups reduce the insecurity felt when alone. Feeling safe is not the cause of liking described here.
Option (3) Status — Incorrect. Status is a reason for joining a group: a group others see as important brings recognition and a sense of power.
Option (4) Similarity — Correct. This is similarity. People prefer consistency; when two people are similar, there is consistency and they start liking each other. Four children who all love cricket fit this.
NCERT (2026-27): “Group Formation … |