Which type of social group is often defined by enduring and intimate relationships?

Primary groups are characterized by close, personal, and enduring relationships among their members. These groups often involve deep emotional connections and significant interpersonal interactions, which are fundamental to socialization and identity formation. Members of primary groups, such as family and close friends, experience a sense of loyalty and belonging that contributes to their individual self-concept.

In contrast, large groups typically have more impersonal relationships due to their size, which diminishes the level of intimacy among members. Small groups can create closer relationships, but they do not necessarily maintain the same depth of personal connection that primary groups have over time. Parties, while they can foster social interactions, are usually temporary gatherings and do not define enduring relationships in the same way a primary group does. Therefore, the significance of primary groups lies in their capacity for sustained, intimate connections.