CULTURAL, SOCIAL, AND

POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS
CULTURAL, SOCIAL, AND
POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS -
SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS:
REFERENCE GROUPS
REFERENCE GROUPS AND ITS NORMATIVE
FUNCTIONS

Reference Groups are groups that serve as our standards

in setting and evaluating our own behaviors and attitudes.
When reference groups serve a purpose of setting your norms
and values, these are normative reference groups.
These groups directly influence the behavior of a person,
serving as a role model, standard, or base point.
Your immediate family and friends are considered a
normative reference group. The way they are is the way
you are. Your mentors or celebrity idols also shape your
personality. In hopes of being identified with them, people
opt to act, speak, dress, and think the way they do
GROUPS WITHIN SOCIETY
People do not live in isolation. They live in groups. Social
groups consist of two or more people who identify with one
another and regularly interact as a result of shared norms,
values, and expectations. Being in a group entails realizations
of activities and events in one's life that help people build and
define their stories, interests, and contributions to society.
Different group categorization exists in society. Categories
include primary and secondary groups, in-groups and out-
group, and reference groups.
REFERENCE GROUPS AND ITS COMPARATIVE
FUNCTIONS

 Some reference groups exist to provide people

with means of comparison for behavior, style, and
achievement. Such are comparative reference
groups whose norms and values serve as points
of comparison for certain behaviors.
 For body figure, teenagers look up to
supermodels as references. For skills in
basketball, enthusiasts play by the rules of
professional basketball players from the NBA or
PBA. To check whether he fares well in his
exams, a student may compare his score from
that of his class's best students.

GROUP INFLUENCES
It is a natural response of people to socialize, build connections, and get
influenced. With either good or bad influence, our social groups or
reference groups play vital roles in shaping who we are and becoming
who we want to be or what society wants us to be.
Reference groups come in different forms and classifications.
Aspirational reference groups refers to people or groups of people
with whom we want to be compared with. Product advertisers and
celebrities like athletes, movie stars, or talk show hosts are fine
examples of this reference group. People think that by supporting
their favorite celebrity, they become associated with them.
Associative reference groups refer to groups where we belong and
take part in. These people include our neighbors, coworkers, club
members, or church members. People have a tendency to confine with
what is on trend in their immediate community.
Dissociative reference groups refers to groups that people have no
interest in being associated with. This group of people includes those
with whom we share conflicts in interest, attitude, or behavior.