| Primary group | Secondary group | |
| Quality of relationships | Personal orientation | Goal orientation |
| Duration of relationships | Usually long-term | Variable; often short-term |
| Breadth of relationships | Broad; usually involving many activities | Narrow; usually involving few activities |
| Subjective perception of relationships | As an end in itself | As a means to an end |
| Typical example | Families; close friendships | Co-workers; political organizations |