Human Groups
A group is a term used to describe a number of people or things that are placed, found, or classified together. As everyday forms of physical relationships between multiple people, group spatial dynamics are best witnessed in common public settings such as queuing lines, elevators, waiting areas, public transportation, and other spaces that require the sharing of space between strangers. The distances and proximity between people in group settings directly impacts one’s individually perceived level of physical and psychological privacy, safety, security, and happiness.
There are many different terms for describing groups, depending on the context. For example, a group of doves would be called a flock, a group of lions would be called a pride, and a group of humans who are related to each other would be called a family. Oftentimes, the term group implies that the people or things being grouped together are connected to each other in some way, though this is not always the case.
People group together as groups generally constrain, guide, and sustain humans. When people join a group, it satisfies the human need to belong, gain information, have a sense of self, and achieve goals. Groups are also important to society as a lot of important work is done by groups rather than individuals.
A focus group is a gathering of diverse people who participate in a facilitated discussion to gain feedback about a topic or area of interest. These discussions are typically held in an area that is non-threatening and are guided. Focus groups are not like interviews, but allow members to interact and influence each other during the discussion.
Interest groups, also known as pressure groups, are a group of individuals or organizations that are typically formally organized to influence public policy in their favor. All interest groups strive to affect government policy to benefit themselves or their cause. Interest groups generally try to achieve their goals by lobbying.
