Full Answer
What is reference group behaviour?
The individuals or groups whose behaviour is imitated by him are known as ‘Reference Groups.” Such imitation of behaviour is found at both the individual and group levels. In Sociology the concept of Reference Group behaviour was given by Hayman. Later, Turner, Merton and Sheriff further elaborated this concept.
Why do sociologists use reference groups?
This means that we also use them to evaluate the relative worth, desirability, or appropriateness of these things. The concept of a reference group is one of the most basic of sociology. Sociologists believe that our relationship to groups and to society at large shapes our individual thoughts and behaviors.
What are the three types of members of a reference group?
In the context of Reference Group Behaviour there are three kinds of members: Aspiring Members, Potential Members and Actual Members. There are some individuals who aspire to enter a Reference Group but lack the ability or capacity to so enter. Their position is one of non-member.
What is reference power of a group?
Reference power depends on the individual’s identification with members of the group. The greater the similarity between the individual’s beliefs and attitudes and those of group members, the greater the reference power of the group. Either the individual is the member of the group or he/ she aspires to belong to a group.
Who created reference group theory?
Abstract. The usefulness of the reference group concept in social psychology and sociology was established during the 1940s and 1950s by Gerth and Mills (1953), Hyman (1942), Kelley (1952), Merton (1957), Sherif and Sherif (1953), Shibutani (1955), Stouffer et al.
Who first mentioned the concept of reference group in 1942 AD?
Robert K. MertonAlma materHarvard University (MA, PhD) Temple University (BA)Known forSelf-fulfilling prophecy Self-defeating prophecy Merton's strain theory of deviance Sociology of Science Functionalism Role model Reference group Mertonian norms Merton thesis Matthew effectSpouse(s)Suzanne Carhart Harriet Zuckerman13 more rows
What is reference group by RK Merton?
Robert K. Merton hypothesized that individuals compare themselves with reference groups of people who occupy the social role to which the individual aspires. Reference groups act as a frame of reference to which people always refer to evaluate their achievements, their role performance, aspirations and ambitions.
Is the definition of reference group Mcq?
Answer» a. groups that an individual looks to when forming attitudes and opinions .
What is a normative reference group?
A normative reference group is described as a group in which individuals are motivated to gain or maintain acceptance. To promote this acceptance, individuals hold their attitudes in conformity with what they perceive to be the consensus of opinion (norms) among the group members (Kelley, 1952).
Who is the father of sociology?
Auguste ComteAuguste Comte, in full Isidore-Auguste-Marie-François-Xavier Comte, (born January 19, 1798, Montpellier, France—died September 5, 1857, Paris), French philosopher known as the founder of sociology and of positivism. Comte gave the science of sociology its name and established the new subject in a systematic fashion.
Who coined the term sociology?
The word sociology derives from the French word, sociologie, a hybrid coined in 1830 by French philosopher Isidore Auguste Comte (1798-1857), from the Latin: socius, meaning "companion"; and the suffix -ology, meaning "the study of", from the Greek λόγος, lógos, "knowledge".
What are reference groups marketing?
Reference groups are groups (social groups, work groups, family, or close friends) a consumer identifies with and may want to join. They influence consumers' attitudes and behavior. A reference group helps shape a person's attitudes and behaviours.
What are the in groups and out groups?
In sociology and social psychology, an in-group is a social group to which a person psychologically identifies as being a member. By contrast, an out-group is a social group with which an individual does not identify.
How many examples of relative deprivation were explained by Merton?
Based on this and work of Merton, Runciman has given four pre-conditions for the relative deprivation; First, the person does not have anything. Second, the person knows that others (who he compares himself with) have that thing. Third, the person wants that thing.
What are the examples of out-group?
Examples of outgroups in everyday life include:non-religious neighbors next-door to a religious community center (the neighbors are not members of the religious community).the marching band performing at a sports team's game (the band is not part of the sports team)More items...•
What are the Ingroups and Outgroups?
Ingroups are groups to which a person belongs, and outgroups are groups to which a person does not belong (and which could therefore become target for ingroup bias).
What is a reference group in a study?
A reference group in a study is a little different than a reference group in marketing. It is a group in which the tested person or other group is...
What is reference group with example?
A reference group includes people who influence norms, beliefs, and values. For example, this could consist of people like friends, peers, and family.
What is a reference group?
A reference group includes the people that influence respective norms, beliefs, and values. It also consists of the people that one compares themse...
What is reference group psychology?
Sheriff has defined Reference Groups as “those groups to which individual relates himself as a part or to which he relates himself psychologically.”. According to Merton, “Reference Group behaviour theory aims to systematize the determinants and consequences ...
How can man change his behavior?
He can change his behaviour by assimilating the values and standards of the other individual or group.
What is it called when someone imitates others?
Such behaviour after comparison with others is called ‘Reference Behaviour’. Under such behaviour one relates oneself to the other individuals or groups and tries to adopt their values or standards. The individuals or groups whose behaviour is imitated by him are known as ‘Reference Groups.” Such imitation of behaviour is found at both the individual and group levels.
Why is reference group behavior important?
There are two reasons for Reference Group Behaviour, one, the social and economic situation ; second, the psychological level of the individual or group.
What is it called when you are separated from your group?
During this intermediate period he feels stresses and strains. Such a situation may be given the name of Grouplessness which is created by separation from his own group. While on the one hand he gets separated from his group, on the other he does not get assimilated with the other group. He is thereby faced with a situation which may be called De-grouped situation.
Who developed the reference group behaviour?
In Sociology the concept of Reference Group behaviour was given by Hayman. Later, Turner, Merton and Sheriff further elaborated this concept. According to Hayman, there are some particular individuals in a society whose standards or values become the ideals for other people and are imitated by them. Sheriff provided a psychological explanation of Reference Behaviour.
Is man an imitative animal?
Man is an imitative animal. The desire to imitate other individuals or groups is instinctive in him. When one finds another person progressing in life, he also desires to progress likewise. He compares himself with others and begins behaving like them in order to reach their status and position. ADVERTISEMENTS:
What are the functions of reference groups?
Functions of Reference Groups 1 Reference groups provide individuals with a basis for reference and evaluation of their attitudes and beliefs. 2 Setting a benchmark of measure allows people to determine their self-identity and their conduct in a social environment. 3 Additionally, they act as a source of inspiration or aspirations for people to live up to and work towards. 4 Reference groups also help shape our values in terms of what we think is right or wrong. This distinction is made when we decide which values we want to emulate and which ones we want to reject. 5 Finally, they allow us to immerse ourselves in a new environment by providing us with a standard to follow so that we may fit in better.
What is reference group behaviour?
Reference group behaviour exists in complex societies such as ours that pride themselves in their capitalist and industrialised fabric. In such communities, studying reference group behaviour may be a means to understanding social relationships and attitudes.
Why do we need reference groups?
Reference groups also help shape our values in terms of what we think is right or wrong. This distinction is made when we decide which values we want to emulate and which ones we want to reject.
Which psychologist suggested that humans are the only species known to display reference group behaviour by modifying their conduct based on learning?
Eminent social psychologist Muzafer Sherif suggested that human beings are the only species known to display reference group behaviour by modifying their conduct based on learnings from their social environment. This is done either by assimilating values from other individuals or groups or by acting in opposition to the social standards of other individuals or groups.
Why do reference groups feel inadequate?
In that case, they may feel inadequate because of unequal opportunity and access to resources.
What is a comparative reference group?
Comparative reference groups are those which individuals use as a standard against which they compare themselves during the process of self-appraisal. For example, in a football team, junior players may compare themselves to their more experienced counterparts in terms of skill, technique and performance.
Why is setting a benchmark of measure important?
Setting a benchmark of measure allows people to determine their self-identity and their conduct in a social environment.
What is reference group?
A reference group may be an actual group , a collectivity or an aggregate, a person or personification of an abstraction. The term ‘reference group’ was coined by Herbert Hyman in Archives of Psychology (1942) to refer to the group against which individual evaluates his or her own situation or conduct. Hyman distinguished between ...
What is marginality in social psychology?
Quite often, an individual is torn between the demands of a membership group to which he belongs but with which he does not identify and the motivational dictates of a reference group of which he is not a member. Social psychologists have termed this position as marginality.
What is a reference group sociology?
Sociologists use the term ‘reference group’ for such groups that individuals use as a standard for evaluating themselves and their own behaviour. These are the groups to which we psychologically identify with to which we may and may not belong but we may aspire to belong. People do not actually have to be members of the group to which they refer.
What is self evaluation of status?
To a certain extent, an individual’s self-evaluation of status depended on the group used as a framework for judgment. In many cases, people model their behaviour after groups to which they do not belong. Quite often, an individual is torn between the demands of a membership group to which he belongs but with which he does not identify and ...
What is the significance of reference groups?
Newcomb (1953) writes: “The significant thing about a reference group is, in fact, that its norms provide frames of reference which actually influence the attitude and behaviour of a person. ”. (2) They also perform a comparison function by serving as a standard against which people can measure themselves and others.
What is an example of a marginal man?
A familiar example is that of a principal of a private college who is officially a member of the management group but who identifies with the teachers on the college floor. This is a classic dilemma of the marginal man (principal) who seeks to join a reference group to which he is excluded and in doing so, he is rejected by the group to which he already belongs.
Why is the reference group important?
Importance and Functions: ADVERTISEMENTS: The concept of reference group is important for understanding socialisation, conformity, and how people perceive and evaluate themselves, especially in relation to the self.
What is a dyad?
a. a dyad is basically an unstable social grouping.
What is an example of a primary group?
d. Your sociology class is an example of a primary group.
Which is less intimate, primary or secondary?
a. Secondary groups are less intimate than primary groups.
Which group often takes on the characteristics of secondary groups?
b. primary groups often take on the characteristics of secondary groups.
Functions of Reference Groups
Types of Reference Groups
- Harold Kelley (1952) recognised two distinct types of reference groups based on the functions that they perform – 1. Normative Reference Groups– Normative reference groups serve as a source of an individual’s norms, values and attitudes. These are groups that people look up to so that they may understand how to conduct themselves in any given envir...
Characteristics of Reference Groups
- Reference groups set ideals of behaviour and attitudes, values and ideologies for those who refer to them.
- They are not organised groups of people who consciously or deliberately stand to represent specific social values. Instead, they may be understood as conceptual groups because they are non-membersh...
- Reference groups set ideals of behaviour and attitudes, values and ideologies for those who refer to them.
- They are not organised groups of people who consciously or deliberately stand to represent specific social values. Instead, they may be understood as conceptual groups because they are non-membersh...
- In order to become a member of a reference group, individuals must adopt the lifestyle and values of the group. For example, immigrants in Western countries learn to incorporate Western culture int...
- An individual’s reference group is in a constant state of flux. As we enter into novel social environments or new phases of life, we change the reference groups that we look up to for se…
Importance
- Eminent social psychologist Muzafer Sherif suggested that human beings are the only species known to display reference group behaviour by modifying their conduct based on learnings from their social environment. This is done either by assimilating values from other individuals or groups or by acting in opposition to the social standards of other individuals or groups. 1. Thus, …
Criticism
- Reference groups may give rise to feelings of relative deprivation. For example, suppose an individual chooses to compare himself to a reference group representing a higher socio-economic class. In...
- The theory of reference group behaviour answers the question of why people behave in a particular manner in specific social situations. However, it does not offer any means of contr…
- Reference groups may give rise to feelings of relative deprivation. For example, suppose an individual chooses to compare himself to a reference group representing a higher socio-economic class. In...
- The theory of reference group behaviour answers the question of why people behave in a particular manner in specific social situations. However, it does not offer any means of controlling or modify...
- The reference group theory is also understood only unilaterally, i.e.; It only discusses how reference groups influence the behaviour of individuals who aspire to become members of the group, and n...