secondary group
compared to a primary group, a larger, less intimate, and more goal-focused group typical of more complex societies. Such social groups influence members’ attitudes, beliefs, and actions but as a supplement to the influence of small, more interpersonally intensive primary groups. Whereas primary groups, such as families and children’s play groups, are the initial socializing agents, secondary groups, such as work groups, clubs, congregations, associations, and so on, become increasingly influential during adolescence and adulthood.