Two or more people who interact to accomplish either individual or mutual goals A membership group is one to which a person
either belongs or would qualify for membership A symbolic group is one in which an individual is not likely to receive membership despite acting like a member
Content or function
Membership group Symbolic group
Degree of personal involvement
Primary Secondary
Degree of organization
Formal Informal
Normative Reference Groups Comparative Reference Groups
Friendship groups Shopping groups Work groups Virtual groups or communities Consumer-action groups
Wild Planet Video
Individuals or groups with whom a person identifies but does not have direct face-to face contact, such as movie stars, sports heroes, political leaders, or TV personalities.
How much a reference group influences depends on two characteristics of a product:
Conspicuousness
How visible the product is to people Public vs. private
Exclusivity
How exclusively the product is owned Necessity vs. luxury
Low exclusivity
High exclusivity
Private necessities
Reference group influence: Weak for product ownership and weak for brand choice. Examples: Mattress Floor lamp refrigerator Public necessities Reference group influence: Weak for product ownership But strong for brand choice. Examples: Car Computer Clothes
Private luxuries
Reference group influence: Strong for product ownership but weak for brand choice. Examples: Theater sound system Pool table Trash compactor Public Luxuries Reference group influence: Strong for product ownership and strong for brand choice. Examples: Golf clubs Sail boat Snowboard
Low visibility
High visibility
Group Characteristics Attractiveness Expertise Credibility Past Success Clarity of Group Goals
Personal Characteristics Tendency to Conform Need for Affiliation Need to be Liked Desire for Control Fear of Negative Evaluation
1.
ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE GROUP
VIEWS THE REFERENCE GROUP AS A CREDIBLE SOURCE OF INFORMATION VALUES THE VIEWS AND REACTIONS ACCEPTS THE REWARDS AND SANCTIONS
NATURE OF THE GROUP
COHESIVE FREQUENTLY INTERACTING DISTINCTIVE AND EXCLUSIVE
NATURE OF THE PRODUCT
VISIBLE EXCLUSIVE
A Reference Group Must ... Inform or make the individual aware of a specific product or brand Provide the individual with the opportunity to compare his or her own thinking with the attitudes and behavior of the group
Influence the individual to adopt attitudes and behavior that are consistent with the norms of the group Legitimize the decision to use the same products as the group
Celebrities The expert The common man The executive and Employee spokesperson Trade or spokes characters Other reference group appeals
SITUATION
A FRIEND MENTIONS THAT STORE X HAS A GOOD COLLECTION OF SUITS
Behavioral
Type of influence
response
NEEDING A NEW SUIT A DECIDES TO VISIT THE STORE INFORMATIONAL
AN AD STRESSES THAT EVEN YOUR FRIENDS WONT TELL YOU IF YOU HAVE BAD BREATH-THEY WILL IGNORE YOU
A BUYS THE RECOMMENDED MOUTHWASH
NORMATIVE
OVER TIME.A NOTICES THAT SUCCESSFUL EXECUTIVES DRESS CONSERVATIVELY
A DEVELOPS A CONSEVATIVE WARDROBE
IDENTIFICATION
Visible usage High relevance of product to group
Low individual purchase confidence
Strong individual commitment to group Nonnecessary item
HIGH DEGREE OF REFERENCE GROUP INFLUENCE