When a person wants something, it means that he has a need. The needs are varied and numerous. Satisfaction of some is physiologically necessary, others - not material - are dictated by the desire to learn something and do good deeds, by status ambitions. The study of group needs is important, since the desire to satisfy them can push people's associations of interests not only to good deeds, but also to negative, illegal actions.
What are the needs?
Need is an acute shortage of something. It activates the mental and physiological forces of a person to search for ways and means to satisfy it.
Groups of needs are not numerous, but they stimulate the vital activity of a person. For example, the need for food pushes to find or earn money for its acquisition: the search for a paid job, begging, theft, deceit, a bank loan. The choice of ways to satisfy needs depends on the level of moral, physical development, on the circumstances of a person’s life.
Types of needs
There are two main groups of needs.
Man is one of the representatives of mammals, therefore physiological needs (natural) are the same for all people and animals: food, water, air, heat, sleep, sex. Without the satisfaction of these primary needs, it is impossible to continue the life of the individual and humanity in general.
The diversity of the group of secondary needs is explained by the diversity of human interests:
- in material wealth;
- in comfort;
- in public recognition, communication, love and friendship;
- in the satisfaction of cognitive, spiritual interests.
Failure to meet these needs does not lead to the death of a person, but forms psychological or physical discomfort. This creates specific goals and motives for certain actions leading to the satisfaction of needs.
A social group is ...
A group is a union of individuals interacting with each other. It is formed from people whose unifying factor is the common goal and type of activity. For example, self-help groups include people who need third-party support - material, physical, psychological. They combine graduates of orphanages, single mothers, disabled people and others.
There are professional associations and interests: lovers of needlework, art, sports, travel, floriculture (mugs, clubs, sections). Often organized events held in society - holidays, exhibitions, lectures.
In social groups there is an intensive communication, exchange of experience. Its members find satisfaction with their needs in participating in socially useful matters, in recognition, in useful leisure, and find like-minded people and friends.
Classification and activities
There are several dozens of reasons for classifying social groups: by sex, age, time of foundation, goals, forms of leadership and organization, place of residence, nationality, religion, material status, etc.
By the numerical composition of the group are small (from 2-3 people to several dozen members) and large.
Socially useful work is inherent in the so-called pro-social groups. Their ideas, forms of organization, goals, methods of activity do not contradict social tasks and living standards, but, on the contrary, bring a positive element. Members of such a group support state programs, for example, on nature conservation and partially solve them at the local level.
Needs that are met in antisocial groups are based on antisocial values and interests: alcoholics or drug addicts come together to drink alcohol and drugs. Sometimes they help each other in raising funds for their acquisition, provide mutual support within the framework of their morality. Family and social values are relegated to the background.
Antisocial groups and groups are aggressive, their goals and activities are demonstratively radical. They can be political (fascist organizations), criminal, declaring externally prosocial goals. However, their actions fall under the articles of the Criminal Code, as they are organized and prepared crimes.
Why do social groups arise
Throughout his life, a person is a member of many social groups. He involuntarily enters some (family, school class, production team), others deliberately enters. Why? If his personal needs and interests coincide with those of other people, then this brings them closer, a mutual interest in communication, pastime is formed. Individual needs become the needs of a social group:
- the need for collective communication and informal contacts;
- in cooperation for the benefit of society;
- in mutual understanding, support, assistance, recognition;
- in the organization of collective leisure;
- in the exchange of life and professional experience;
- in the self-affirmation and self-realization of each individual, in the public recognition of the significance of the activities of the whole group.
In friendly groups, not only business, but also emotional attachments, a sense of security are necessarily formed. Common goals and objectives stimulate a creative search for methods for solving them.
To summarize
The social significance of any association of people is determined by what groups of needs it primarily satisfies (material, spiritual, social), what goals it pursues, what forms and methods of activity it chooses. Unfortunately, they do not always meet the interests of society and the state; they can be antisocial in nature. Therefore, internal and external control of the social group, in whatever form it may exist, is necessary.
Its management and ordinary members should be fully aware of the responsibility for the results of their work. Basic groups of people's needs should not be met through socially unapproved or criminally punishable actions.