Cut & Paste into your own notes

When was the last time you were influenced by a reference group (it was probably very recent)
What are the main primary reference groups in your life?
What reference groups would be aspirational for you?
Associative?
Dissociative?

Reference Groups

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Reference groups are people that we observe to learn about the world. They can provide a big influence on our behaviour.

What we can learn from them:

  • Information about the world: Is it raining, is food tasty, is something dangerous, etc
  • Normative understanding about the social dynamics between people – what will be liked or disliked, how much they like and dislike you right now, etc

There are different types of reference groups

  • Primary vs. secondary ones – this is really a continuum of how much influence they have over us. More primary groups would have a strong influence, and more secondary ones would have weaker and more ephemeral influences
  • Aspirational groups are ones that we would like to join. We may copy things about them to be able to join, or just to feel good about ourselves.
  • Associative groups are ones that we already have some kind of link with. We might pick up cues about how to fit in, belong, or avoid being rejected
  • Dissociative groups are ones that we do not want to be associated with. We might avoid cues of these groups