Social circle
A social circle is a group of socially interconnected people. A social circle may be viewed from the perspective of an individual who is the locus of a particular group of socially interconnected people and from the perspective of the group as a cohesive unit.
Social circles are distinguished from social pyramids in that a social pyramid represents the strength of the relationships of all the people with whom an individual has contact without considering the pyramid as a social unit.
Social circles tend to have unique sets of norms and values. Individuals who do not comply with them may be ostracized, admonished, or even embarrassed by other members of the group.