Which term best describes a group of people beyond family ties with shared interests and interactions?

A social group refers to a collection of individuals who interact with one another, share common interests or goals, and have a sense of belonging. This term encapsulates both formal organizations and informal collectives where individuals engage regularly. Members of a social group typically experience a shared identity and engage in social relationships that help define their interactions.

In this case, describing a group of people beyond family ties aligns perfectly with the characteristics of a social group, as it emphasizes interactions and shared interests without the constraints of kinship. Other terms do not capture the same depth of social dynamics; for example, an aggregate merely represents a collection of individuals without the social ties or common interests that define a group. A community often involves geographic or social proximity but may not necessarily reflect the formalized interactions that characterize a social group. A network, while relevant in terms of connections, often emphasizes the relationships and links between individuals rather than belonging to a cohesive group with shared interests and direct interactions.