Question

We belong to many groups. What is a reference group? What are its functions?

How do you think reference group functions affected the behavior of those in the Quiet Rage and Obedience experiments? In other words, how did people act as a result of membership in either the authority or the subordinate roles? In society, how do reference groups affect how YOU see yourself and others?

100 word response at least!!

Answer 1

Reference groups refer a set of individuals that people use as a standard for evaluating themselves and their own behaviour. Reference groups function to evaluate and determine the nature of a given individual or other group's characteristics and attributes. It also serve as a role model as it is the group to which the individual relates or aspires to relate, psychologically. Reference groups are therefore important for determining a person's self-identity, attitudes, and social ties.

The Quiet Rage and Obedience experiments involved the indirect use of reference groups. In the Quiet Rage experiment, participants acted according to their perception of what a typical prisoner or a guard should behave. They used imaginary reference groups based on which they adopted their role. In the Obedience experiment, participants used the experimenter, who ordered the electric shocks, as a reference group. The participants carried out whatever was instructed from a perceived figure of authority. Both these studies have a real life implication because in our daily lives as well, reference groups impact how we think, feel and behave.