The concept and examples of the reference and non-reference group

Reference is a significant concept in psychology.

In his actions, man is constantly guided by the views of significant subjects.

Essence of the phenomenon

Reference in psychology is called the property of the individual, group, reflected in their ability to exert a decisive influence on the person.

His own values, principles, attitudes and attitudes are formed under their influence.

Any event or event is also considered, evaluated from the position approval or possible condemnation of significant subjects.

When planning an activity, a person always focuses not only on his own desires and preferences, but also on the position of the reference group or individual for him.

This psychological and social phenomenon occupies an important place in the system of interpersonal relations. However, it is often contrasted with emotions.

Thus, a person may not feel sympathy for any individual, but recognize its importance. Or, on the contrary, an absolutely uninteresting social group, whose members are not authorities, causes a certain emotional response.

It should be noted that the influence can be both positive and negative.

If an individual chooses as a role model a successful person, sincerely interested in his person, influence is positive.

In this case, a significant subject can assist in the formation of the correct attitudes, choosing the right path for personal growth.

If the person who has a negative impact on the individual and his life has a reference, this dependence leads to negative consequences. Similar principle acts in the relationship with social communities.

Characteristics of the reference person

This is a person of particular importance to the subject of the relationship. Such a person is benchmark for role model.

The object to which the influence is directed, turns out to be in a strong psychological dependence on the person referential for him, serving as the main supplier of values, rules, principles.

In any of his actions, the person is under the influence focuses on the opinions and views of his idol. He tries to demonstrate only the behavior and thinking that will cause approval.

Usually the reference person is a strong, confident individual.

His authority is due stability of life principles, the ability to convince.

Being under the influence of such a person, a person may not only not feel sympathy, but even feel hostility. But such emotions will not be key.

Reference group

What is a reference group? In terms of significance for the subject, The social groups in which he is a member may be:

referent. Real, conditional small group, which is the standard.
In his behavior and even in the perception of his own personality, the individual is guided by the values, attitudes and norms that are established by the group.
A community can influence self-esteem, control its behavior, determine actions;
non-reference. This is a small group, the psychology of which does not cause an emotional reaction. A person may not be in it or consist in, but in any case feel indifferent to the values, norms and rules broadcast by its participants.

Reference group performs regulatory, comparative functions.

Regulatory regulation human behavior is expressed in the formation in his mind of certain attitudes, norms that must be met.

Comparative function It is expressed in the formation of a specific standard, a sample that is the key criterion for evaluating oneself and other people. The same generality can simultaneously perform both functions.

A certain problem for a person is the presence of several reference associations of people whose values have the opposite direction.

In this case, there is a serious intrapersonal conflict, as the individual is forced to choose between communities of significance to him.

For example, for a teenager can have the same value family and circle of friends.

Often, the values and attitudes broadcast by peers differ from the parental attitudes that are inherent in the mind. In total arises internal conflict, forcing to make a choice in favor of something one.

Every person living in society is in a huge number of communities.

These are family, friendly company, professional social circle, sports section, etc.

Reference groups do not always suspect what value they have for the individual. Also similar communities can be initially conditional. For example, a person chooses as an authority a certain set of people, to which he has no direct relation.

He relates all his actions and actions to the principles that, in his opinion, are broadcast by this community. In reality, the individual is not included in the circle of persons significant to him, but in his subconscious mind lives by their rules.

The perception of a social group is shaped by the authority of its individual members. As a rule, these are leaders, leaders. It is they who determine the norms and rules by which the community functions.

Examples

What does the reference group mean? These groups include:

Family. The process of socialization of most people begins with the family. These are people connected with each other by blood or kinship. The formation of the child’s personality is significantly influenced by his parents, older brothers and sisters, and immediate relatives. It is these people who become the source of knowledge about the world, the role model. The child perceives the norms, values, attitudes of parents as the only true ones. Under their influence is the formation of the first makings of personality. Here, the presence of both positive and negative reference is fully reflected. A child completely dependent on the family cannot abstract from the influence of significant parental figures, even if their life principles and behavior not only do not correspond to the child’s own attitudes, but are initially negative.
Friendly company. Particularly strong influence of this community on the consciousness of the individual is manifested in adolescence, when the opinion of peers becomes more important than the authority of parents. Trying to win the approval of friends who are role models, a person tries to demonstrate typical behaviors, interests, attitudes and tastes. His own attitudes may differ from the majority opinion, but he will try not to express them, fearing condemnation from his friends.
At a young age, there is often a change of leaders in friendly companies or a change in the companies themselves, since as members of communities mature, their perception of standards for imitation changes.
In adults, there is a greater stability in the choice of social circle, therefore significant subjects can maintain their position for quite a long time. At the same time, a matured accomplished person does not depend on his role model to the extent that a teenager.

Labor collective. Professional recognition is an important sign of success in modern society. An individual can recognize the undisputed authority of colleagues who have achieved certain heights in their field. The opinions of these people, their views and beliefs will earn him respect. The desire to share values and attitudes will be associated with the desire to achieve the same success, to become a full member of the team.
Other community. This may be a class in a school, a sports section, a political party, a public organization, etc. All of these communities can influence a person who is related to them. Moreover, the degree of this influence directly depends on how important this community plays.
So, for a young man keen on sports, the views and beliefs of his team mates, rather than acquaintances from the yard, will be more important.

Referentometry

This is a technique that allows you to identify the distribution of roles in a social group.

The survey identifies leaders whose opinion matters to the majority of the members of the community.

Also identified are individuals whose position for the overwhelming majority of respondents not interesting. Thus, there is an analysis of interpersonal relations established in the group.

It should be noted that referentometry differs qualitatively from popular sociometry. The latter allows reveal the nature of emotional connections.

Reference procedure also aims to study the underlying processes - the influence of values and attitudes of individuals on the behavior of other participants in the community.

The study consists of two stages:

Collecting information. At this stage, the task of the researcher is to collect the opinions and views of the participants of the procedure on any significant issue for them. Information received from each person is recorded on special forms. This may be a discussion of authoritative members of the community, significant events and phenomena. The subject of the discussion must necessarily have a value for the respondents and arouse their interest During this stage, it is allowed to work simultaneously with the whole group, but it is important to ensure that the subjects do not have the opportunity to learn the answers of their comrades.

Poll. The researcher conducts an individual conversation with each participant. First, a person is asked if he agrees, so that the form with his answers can be viewed by those who are interested in this. The fact of consent or refusal is recorded by the researcher. Then the person is offered to get acquainted with the form of someone of one participant. When this choice is made, it is proposed to familiarize yourself with the exception of the form of another participant. The number of such elections should be no more than three.
As a result, subjects that are key to the subject are identified.