Sociology How Reference Groups Influence Our Lives Essay

Reference groups are the groups that people identify psychologically and in which it serves as the sources of self-evaluation. Reference groups also influence the way people become, the way the think and act, as well as what people believe. There are two types of reference groups positive and negative reference groups. Positive reference groups refer to groups that people aspire to become and negative reference groups refer to groups that we do not want to be identified with. Having the knowledge of a reference group will help people understand why some groups behave as they do. The way to clarify the way a person behaves is through the knowledge about what kind of reference group that the person looks upon and does not. My reference†¦show more content†¦The second positive reference group is top students in school. I always find myself admiring people with high grades and wide knowledge. I belong to Economics Club in Georgia State and whenever we have meeting to discuss abo ut current economics issue. Members will share his or her knowledge and information that make them sound like a professional economist especially the current US debt issue. Before the meeting I will find myself to read news from a lot of sources to make sure that I could be one of them who try to make analysis regarding the issue. Besides, top students with great knowledge always stand out in the class and by competing with them, I force myself to fit into this groups. This groups have shaped the way I study and my ‘never give up’ attitude in studying. This also makes me understand the way those top students behave because they understand that knowledge can bring a bright future for them. The third reference group is a negative reference groups as I try very hard not to become one of them. People with little education or no education at all always end up being an alcoholic or filling in low-paid jobs. Females usually end up being prostitutes as their source of income a nd male may end up being homeless. The major problem in the society is to deal with poverty and one solution is to be educated. 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