Please select the word from the list that best fits the definition
Group without clear boundaries or common identity.
reference group
in-group
out-group
E-community
social network
primary group
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is E-community.
Explanation:
An E-community refers to a group of people who interact and connect primarily through digital platforms such as social media, online forums, or virtual spaces, without necessarily having a clear physical boundary or a defined, cohesive identity. Members of an E-community may share common interests or goals, but the group itself lacks the tangible or formal structure that is typically seen in traditional communities.
In contrast to other group types, an E-community exists in the virtual realm, and members may not even know each other personally. The interactions within an E-community are facilitated by technology, and these communities can be fluid in terms of membership. Unlike traditional, face-to-face groups like primary groups (which are small, close-knit groups like family or close friends) or reference groups (which people refer to for guidance or comparison, but are not necessarily members of), E-communities are bound more by shared interests or needs rather than physical proximity or strong social bonds.
Other terms listed in the options are as follows:
- Reference group: This is a group that an individual uses as a standard for evaluating themselves, often for comparison or guidance. Reference groups are typically not groups that an individual is actively involved in, but rather groups they look up to.
- In-group: This term refers to a group with which an individual identifies, often contrasted with an out-group (a group with which the individual does not identify or feels antagonistic toward). In-groups have more defined social boundaries compared to an E-community.
- Out-group: This is the opposite of an in-group and refers to those groups with which an individual does not identify.
- Social network: A social network refers to a web of relationships among individuals or organizations, often connecting people across various contexts and can include both in-group and out-group members. It may not necessarily refer to a group with no clear boundaries.
- Primary group: This is a small, close-knit group where relationships are personal and direct, such as family or close friends, with clear boundaries and identity.
An E-community stands out as the correct answer because of its loose structure and the lack of a clear, common identity or boundaries. It exists in the digital realm and is driven by virtual interaction rather than geographic or social proximity.