Sociological issues & Culture

Question 1

What is a reference group?

Answer 1

Influential person or group

Question 2

What is a primary reference group?

Answer 2

Group of people who exert strong influences on our values or behaviours.

Question 3

What is a secondary reference group?

Answer 3

Groups of people with less control over our actions and values.

Question 4

What is an aspiration reference group?

Answer 4

Individuals with as desire to accepted, but they do not belong.

Question 5

What is a dissociative reference group?

Answer 5

A group where an individual does not want ot be associated with.

Question 6

What is a formal reference group?

Answer 6

Have a specific goal or reason, tend to be membership referenced.

Question 7

What is an informal reference group?

Answer 7

Groups shared interests and goals with no goal or specific reason.

Question 8

What is a virtual reference group?

Answer 8

A group of people who are geographically dispersed communicating through technology.

Question 9

Influences on reference groups

Answer 9

Socialisation
Compliance
Conformity

Question 10

Socialisation

Answer 10

Process of becoming an effective and integrated member of society by attaining and replicating norms, customs and ideologies, in order to maintain continuity.

Question 11

Compliance

Answer 11

comply social norms

Question 12

Conformity

Answer 12

Social pressure to behave in a similar way to others.

Socialisation = conformity.

Question 13

Normative compliance influence

Answer 13

Pressure exerted on an individual to conform and comply. Social acceptance is a strong motive e.g. street gangs wear same clothes to be accepted.

Question 14

Value- expressive influence

Answer 14

Pressure that comes from the need of physical association with a group. Desired outcome is respect from others.

Question 15

Information influence

Answer 15

Arises from the need to seek information from the reference groups about product category. Expert advice e.g. professional bodies and trade bodies offer members free advice on procedures/ services.

Question 16

Family as a reference group

Answer 16

Shared consumption
Face-to-face contact
Subordination of individual needs
Purchasing agents

Question 17

Influences and issues of family as a reference group

Answer 17

Learned behaviour 
Communicated attitudes/ beliefs/ values
Norms/ expectations
Morals/ religion
Gender roles
Group purchasing
Household roles e.g. authoritarian, neglectful, permissive
Pester power

Question 18

Family life cycle -single stage

Answer 18

Low earnings
High discretionary income
Leisure/ fashion spending
Often buy cars

Question 19

Family life cycle - newly married couple

Answer 19

Dual-income households
High expenditure on household goods
More susceptible to advertising

Question 20

Family life cycle- full nest 1

Answer 20

First child
One parent working
Expenditure on babies
Couples are dissatisfied with their financial position

Question 21

Family life cycle- full nest 2

Answer 21

Both parents work

Consumption heavily on children

Question 22

Family life cycle - full nest 3

Answer 22

Improved income when children are older

Children have own income, replacement furnishings with luxury items

Question 23

Family life cycle- empty nest 1

Answer 23

Children left home
Spending power
Low mortgages
Spend on luxuries e.g. travel, fashion, leisure

Question 24

Family life cycle - empty nest 2

Answer 24

Retired
Drop in income
Expenditure is health orientated
Smaller house

Question 25

Family life cycle - solitary survivor

Answer 25

Widow/ widower
Good income
Spend on holiday

Question 26

Family life cycle - retired solitary survivor

Answer 26

Reduced income
Need for love
Affection and security