| Voluntary Group | Involuntary Group |
| (i) Membership is based on choice. | (i) Membership is based on birth. |
| (ii) It may be temporary or permanent in nature. | (ii) It is mostly permanent in nature. |
| (iii) Individual has choice to continue or to leave the membership. | (iii) One cannot leave the membership or it may be difficult to leave the group. |
| (iv) Example : Political parties, youth organisation, cultural association, etc. | (iv) Example : Family, caste, race, religion, etc. |