Which of the following sociological criteria defines a genuine group ?
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Answer: A. members of a hospitals business office
Explanation
Members of a hospital business office interact regularly and share a collective identity, fulfilling group criteria. A genuine sociological group requires sustained social interaction, mutual awareness, and ongoing relational ties. Office colleagues form a primary or secondary group through daily workplace communication and shared organizational tasks. Sociology distinguishes genuine social groups from mere statistical aggregates or unorganized social categories of people. Random collections of individuals do not constitute a group unless they engage in meaningful reciprocal interactions. Formal organizations are comprised of smaller working groups that coordinate actions to achieve common institutional goals.
Option B represents a geographic aggregate of citizens who share a city but do not interact as a group. Option C represents a demographic category of individuals grouped solely by age and gender without mutual interaction. Option D is incorrect because options B and C fail to meet the fundamental sociological definition of a group.
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