Final answer:
A group of friends where everyone is equally friends with one another is best described as mutual friends. These relationships often form due to proximity and are considered primary groups. Groups like these often make decisions collaboratively without an official leader. So, the correct answer is option 4.
Step-by-step explanation:
A group of friends where everybody is equally friends with everybody else is most accurately described as mutual friends. In this type of social structure, each person enjoys a similar relationship with all the other members, sharing common interests and frequently interacting without formal hierarchy. Groups like these are integral to social life, providing a sense of belonging and community. Such groups can be found in various contexts, from informal gatherings to collective behavior at regularly scheduled events. The relationships within these groups often develop as a result of proximity, as people tend to form stronger bonds with those they encounter regularly.
Historically, sociologists have described these close-knit groups as primary groups, which include family and close friends, who may not be in close physical proximity today due to geographical dispersion but still maintain strong emotional connections through communication tools. Meanwhile, secondary groups often comprise individuals with closer physical proximity but more limited emotional connections, like acquaintances in a dormitory.
When a group operates acephalously, without an official leader, decisions are usually made through informal consensus. This is a common characteristic of a group of mutual friends who make plans and negotiate details collaboratively.
So, the correct answer is option 4.