Question

Elah is part of a group that she has been friends with since high school. The members still meet every weekend even though they all have families and jobs. They feel very involved and connected with the group. All the members of her group are very conscious about their health and the quality of food they eat. Their buying and eating habits have slowly influenced each other over the years, and the members now follow the same diet and exercise plans. In the given scenario, Elah is a member of a(n) _____.

A) ingroup
B) outgroup
C) secondary group
D) formal group

Answer 1

Based on Elah's strong emotional connections, shared identity, lifestyle influence, and long-term friendships with the group members, she is part of an in-group.

Step-by-step explanation:

The scenario described indicates that Elah is a member of a group that is very personal and significant to her and the other members. This group has influenced her lifestyle, including diet and exercise routines, suggesting strong emotional ties and a shared sense of identity among its members. In sociological terms, this type of group is considered an in-group, which is a group with which an individual identifies and feels a sense of belonging. In-groups often share common interests and support systems, and their values and norms can heavily influence the behavior of the individuals within them.

In contrast to Elah's situation, an out-group is a social group with which an individual does not identify. A secondary group is larger and more impersonal, often task-oriented and with limited emotional connection, while a formal group has a structured organization and officially defined roles and goals. Based on the given information, Elah is indeed part of an in-group with her friends from high school.

The final answer: Elah is a member of an in-group (A).