Community Defined

Community Defined
In the late 14th century, the term “community” referred to a group of individuals
residing in the same area. It also encompassed the common people, excluding the
ruling class and clergy. Derived from the Old French word comunité and the Latin word
communitas, which meant “fellowship” or “friendly interaction,” community denoted both
the shared experiences and relationships among individuals. Over time, it evolved to
describe a society or division of people who possessed common interests or
occupations. Additionally, the term connoted collective possession or enjoyment. In Old
English, the term gemænscipe was used to express the concept of community,
highlighting the notions of fellowship, union, and shared ownership. Another Middle
English term, commonty, emerged to denote both the common people and land held in
common. (See figure 1)
F
Figure 1
Community is a term that refers to a group of individuals who share common

characteristics, interests, or goals, and actively engage in social interactions and
support within a geographic area or online platform. It represents a collective of people
who come together to build relationships, create social networks, and promote mutual
aid, while fostering a sense of belonging and identity.
The concept of community has been widely studied and theorized across various
disciplines, including sociology, psychology, and anthropology. A sociological
perspective defines community as a group of people living in a specific locality,
connected by social ties, shared values, and a sense of belonging. Sociologist
Ferdinand Tönnies, in his seminal work “Community and Society” (1887), distinguished
community as a type of social organization characterized by intimate and personal
relationships, in contrast to society, which is more abstract and impersonal.
Psychology approaches community as a vital component of an individual’s well-
being and social support system. Research by McMillan and Chavis (1986) defines
community as having four essential elements: membership, influence, shared emotional
connection, and a common symbol system. This perspective emphasizes the emotional
and psychological aspects of community, focusing on the sense of belonging, support,
and identity it provides.
Anthropology explores community as a sociocultural entity, emphasizing shared
behaviors, beliefs, and practices among its members. Anthropologist Benedict Anderson
(1983) proposed the concept of “imagined communities,” referring to communities that
are not necessarily based on face-to-face interactions but are constructed through
shared identification with common cultural characteristics or imagined histories.
Furthermore, the rise of online platforms and virtual communities has expanded
the definition of community. Virtual communities are formed and sustained through
digital channels, enabling individuals with shared interests or goals to connect and
interact irrespective of geographic boundaries. Rheingold (2000) describes virtual
communities as social aggregations that emerge from the internet when enough people
carry on public discussions long enough and with sufficient human feeling to form webs
of personal relationships.
In conclusion, the term “community” encompasses a diverse range of
perspectives and definitions. It denotes a group of individuals who come together based
on shared characteristics, interests, or goals, engaging in social interactions, support,
and identity formation within a geographic area or online platform. This definition draws
upon the insights of sociology, psychology, and anthropology, highlighting the
significance of social ties, sense of belonging, and shared values in defining and
understanding communities.
Examples Of Communities
1. Business Communities
Type: Organizational
The business community is a group of people who have a shared interest in the
well-being of businesses. This includes business owners, employees, customers, and
suppliers. We might also sometimes call this the entrepreneur community. The business
community can come together to promote the interests of businesses, or to advocate for
certain policies. They may also provide resources and support to up-and-coming
entrepreneurs.
Another examples of Organizational type of community are The Global
communities, Philanthropic communities, and Workplace communities.
2. School Communities
Type: Place-Based
A school community is a group of education stakeholders affiliated with a school,
typically students, teachers, staff, and parents. The parents and community committees
within schools are influential decision-making bodies where the community can come
together. The school principal is the executive leader of the community.
School communities might come together to make decisions about the teaching
methods the school will use, the teachers they will employ, and the new infrastructure
projects that may be necessary.
Another: examples of Place-Based type of community are City communities,
Farming communities, Gated communities, Multicultural communities and Regional
communities.
3. LGBT Community
Type: Identity-Based
The LGBT community is a global group of people who identify as lesbian, gay,
bisexual, or transgender. This group has become more visible in recent years as society
has become more accepting of LGBT rights.
The LGBT community has its own culture and subculture, with its own music, art,
fashion, and media. Pride parades and festivals are held in many cities around the
world to celebrate LGBT culture.
Another examples of Identity-Based type of community are Countercultural
communities, Ethnic communities, Religious communities, Subcultural communities and
Tribal communities.
4. Sporting Communities
Type: Communities of Action
A sporting community is a group of people who share a love of a particular sport.
Examples include the swimming, golfing, football, and baseball communities.
5. Linguistic Communities
Type: Interest-based
A linguistic community is a group of people who share the same language. They
may also share a common culture and history. Linguistic communities often have their
own distinct dialects of their shared language. These dialects can serve as a marker of
identity for members of the community.
Another examples of Interest-Based type of community are Hobby communities
and Political communities
6. Social Media Communities
Type: Virtual/Online Communities
Social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram have also given
rise to communities. People use these platforms to share news, photos, thoughts, and
experiences with their friends and followers. These platforms are also used by
celebrities and public figures to connect with their fans.
Another examples of Virtual type of community are Blogging communities,
vlogging communities, Fandom communities and Forum communities
Conclusion
These are just a few examples of the different types of communities that exist.
There are many more, and new ones are forming all the time.
Communities provide support, connection, and a sense of belonging for their
members. They can be an important part of people’s lives and important support
networks.
References:
Blogs. (2021, March 22). https://collaboration.worldbank.org/content/sites/collaboration-
for-development/en/groups/communities4Dev/blogs.entry.html/2021/03/22/
sense_of_community-wyUE.html
Wikipedia contributors. (2023). Imagined community. Wikipedia.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imagined_community#:~:text=Anderson
%20depicts%20a%20nation%20as,shaping%20an%20individual’s%20social
%20psyche.
Putri, I. P., Nasruddin, E., & Wahab, J. A. (2018). Imagined Communities and the
Construction Of National Identity. International Journal of Academic Research in
Business and SocialSciences, 8(7), 565–572.
Rheingold, H. L. (2008, December 31). Virtual community | Definition, Characteristics,
Types, & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/virtual-
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