Twelve families in a housing society in Lucknow formed a residents' group when the society kept running short of water. Members meet in the society hall once a month, and on other days they share plans on a phone messaging app. Within months, families who used hoses to wash their cars switched to buckets, as their neighbours on the group did. In March, Rakesh, a member, forgot to send the society's letter to the municipal office, and every family went without tanker water for a week. Meera, another member, built a rainwater harvesting pit, and two nearby societies copied her plan. Last year, when a pipe burst near the gate, passers-by stopped and stood around watching.
After joining the group, families who used hoses switched to buckets, as their neighbours on the group did. Which characteristic of a group does this show?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Individuals who are trying to satisfy a need through their joint association also influence each other
Option (1) Individuals who are trying to satisfy a need through their joint association also influence each other — Correct. The families joined to meet a need (water), and in doing so they influenced each other: one family's habit was picked up by others.
Option (2) A social unit of individuals who perceive themselves as belonging to the group — Incorrect. A feeling of belonging gives a group its unique identity. It does not explain why one family copied another's habit.
Option (3) A gathering of individuals who interact with one another either directly or indirectly — Incorrect. This feature is about members interacting, in person or through a medium. Interaction alone does not show one member's behaviour changing another's.
Option (4) Members have complementary skills and are committed to a common goal — Incorrect. Complementary skills and commitment to a common goal describe teams. Switching to buckets is a habit copied from neighbours.
NCERT (2026-27): “Introduction … “• A gathering of individuals who interact with one another either directly or indirectly.” “• A collection of individuals whose interactions are structured by a set of roles and norms. This means that the group members perform the same functions every time the group meets and the group members adhere to group norms. Norms tell us how we ought to behave in the group and specify the behaviours expected from group members.” |