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A 'reference group' is a sociological concept referring to a group to which another group is compared. Reference groups are used in order to evaluate and determine the nature of a given individual or other group's characteristics and sociological attributes. Reference groups provide the benchmarks and contrast needed for comparison and evaluation of group and personal characteristics.[1]
An example of a reference group being used would be the determination of affluence. An individual in the US with an annual income of $80,000, may be considered affluent when compared to those in the middle of the income strata, who earn roughly $32,000 a year,[2] are used for comparison.[2] If, however, the reference group used to determine this particular individuals affluence were to be the top 0.1% of households in the US, those making $1.6 million or more were used as a reference groups, the individual's income of $80,000 would make him or her seem rather poor.[4][5]
★ Group
★ Sociology
★ Primary group/Secondary group
1. Society in Focus, , William, Thompson, Pearson, 2005, 0-205-41365-X
2. US Census Bureau, personal income distribution, age 25+, 2006
3. US Census Bureau, personal income distribution, age 25+, 2006
4. Fear of Falling, The Inner Life of the Middle Class, , Barbara, Ehrenreich, Harper Collins, 1989, 0-06-0973331
5. New York Times quote, households with incomes of over 1.6 million
An example of a reference group being used would be the determination of affluence. An individual in the US with an annual income of $80,000, may be considered affluent when compared to those in the middle of the income strata, who earn roughly $32,000 a year,[2] are used for comparison.[2] If, however, the reference group used to determine this particular individuals affluence were to be the top 0.1% of households in the US, those making $1.6 million or more were used as a reference groups, the individual's income of $80,000 would make him or her seem rather poor.[4][5]
| Contents |
| See also |
| References |
See also
★ Group
★ Sociology
★ Primary group/Secondary group
References
1. Society in Focus, , William, Thompson, Pearson, 2005, 0-205-41365-X
2. US Census Bureau, personal income distribution, age 25+, 2006
3. US Census Bureau, personal income distribution, age 25+, 2006
4. Fear of Falling, The Inner Life of the Middle Class, , Barbara, Ehrenreich, Harper Collins, 1989, 0-06-0973331
5. New York Times quote, households with incomes of over 1.6 million
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