Read the following statements about why people join groups:
(A) Neha has just moved to a new city. She joins a residents' group because being with its members makes her feel protected and less open to threats. Her reason for joining is security.
(B) Arjun's school team, which others see as important, wins a debate contest. Arjun feels recognised and powerful. This feeling comes from the status the group gives him.
(C) Kabir joins a farmers' cooperative so that, together, the members can get a bank loan that no single farmer could get. His reason for joining is self-esteem.
(D) Rohit joins a reading club because its members share facts and news he could not collect on his own. His reason for joining is satisfaction of his social needs.
How many of the above statements are correct?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Only two
(A) Neha has just moved to a new city. She joins a residents' group because being with its members makes her feel protected and less open to threats. Her reason for joining is security. — Correct. Neha feels protected and less open to threats with the group. This is security: groups reduce the insecurity we feel when alone, so people feel stronger.
(B) Arjun's school team, which others see as important, wins a debate contest. Arjun feels recognised and powerful. This feeling comes from the status the group gives him. — Correct. Belonging to a group that others see as important makes a member feel recognised and gives a sense of power. This is status.
(C) Kabir joins a farmers' cooperative so that, together, the members can get a bank loan that no single farmer could get. His reason for joining is self-esteem. — Incorrect. Getting a loan that no farmer could get alone is goal achievement: groups help reach goals that cannot be attained individually. Self-esteem is the feeling of self-worth that comes from a prestigious group, which is not Kabir's reason.
(D) Rohit joins a reading club because its members share facts and news he could not collect on his own. His reason for joining is satisfaction of his social needs. — Incorrect. Rohit wants facts and news he lacks, so his reason is that groups provide knowledge and information. Satisfaction of social needs means belongingness, attention, love and power.
NCERT (2026-27): “Why Do People Join Groups? … “• Status : When we are members of a group that is perceived to be important by others, we feel recognised and experience a sense of power. …” “• Goal achievement : Groups help in achieving such goals which cannot be attained individually. There is power in the majority.” “• Provide knowledge and information : Group membership provides knowledge and information and thus broadens our view. As individuals, we may not have all the required information. Groups supplement this information and knowledge.” |