Question

When a high school student gets teased by her basketball team for receiving an academic award, she is dealing with competing ______________.
primary groups
out-groups
reference groups
secondary groups

Answer 1

The correct answer is C. Reference groups

Explanation:

In sociology which is the field that studies society and social structures, human groups can be classified into different categories including primary/secondary groups, out/in groups and reference groups. In the case of reference groups, this includes classmates, co-workers and any other peer that mainly works as a reference for the individual in terms of standard of measurements. Indeed individuals in reference groups observe others and behave according to other people in order to fit. This can be seen in the case presented as a student is in a basketball team and she has not received an academic award her peers had, which makes the student measure herself in comparison to others that are a reference and in the same way other students mock at her because she does not fit in the group.