Question 1

________ are groups that serve as frames of reference for individuals in their consumption decisions because they are perceived as credible sources.
A) Custom groups
B) Formal groups
C) Interpersonal groups
D) Reference groups
E) Informal groups

Accepted Answer

Reference groups are groups that individuals take as a frame of reference for their consumption decisions because they are seen as credible sources. These groups can be either formal or informal, and they can be aspirational, meaning that the consumer aspires to be part of the group, or they can be dissociative, representing groups that the consumer wants to avoid being associated with. Custom groups, interpersonal groups, and informal groups do not necessarily carry the same weight of influence as reference groups do.

Question 2

Sheila admires her boss, Jerry, so she aspires to live her lifestyle and have similar possessions. Jerry exerts _________________ influence on Sheila.
A) comparative
B) normative
C) membership
D) informal
E) symbolic

Accepted Answer

A

Question 3

________ reference groups influence broadly defined values or behavior.
A) Comparative
B) Normative
C) Membership
D) Informal
E) Symbolic

Accepted Answer

Normative reference groups influence broadly defined values or behavior, meaning they shape our attitudes, beliefs, and values. They provide a standard for what is deemed as acceptable and desirable behavior within a particular social context.

Question 4

The key factor underlying the persuasive impact of a personal or interpersonal message received from either a formal or informal source is ________.
A) the number of times the message is sent
B) the source's credibility
C) the number of times the message is received
D) the type of broadcast medium used
E) the extent to which the receiver's peers understand the message

Accepted Answer

The source's credibility is the most important factor underlying the persuasive impact of a personal or interpersonal message. A credible source is one that is perceived as trustworthy, an expert on the topic, and unbiased. A message from a credible source is more likely to be accepted and acted upon by the receiver.

Question 5

A(n)_______________ is either a person or medium providing consumption-related information and hired and paid by and organization. A(n)__________________ is person whom the message receiver knows personally, such as a parent or friend who gives product information or advice, or an individual met and respected online.
A) informal source; symbolic source
B) informal source; formal source
C) formal source; symbolic source
D) formal source; informal source
E) symbolic source; formal source

Accepted Answer

The first blank refers to a formal source, which is someone hired and paid by an organization to provide information. The second blank refers to an informal source, which is someone the message receiver knows personally, such as a friend or online acquaintance. Therefore, the best choice is D, formal source for the first blank and informal source for the second blank.

Question 6

A group to which a person either belongs or would qualify to belong to is called a(n)________ group.
A) comparative
B) normative
C) membership
D) informal
E) symbolic

Accepted Answer

A membership group is a group of people with whom an individual either belongs or would potentially qualify to belong. This can include groups based on demographic factors such as age or gender, as well as professional or social associations. The other options, such as comparative and normative groups, refer to different types of groups that an individual may use as reference points for their own attitudes or behaviors.

Question 7

When Joe wanted to get a new outboard motor for his sailboat, he consulted a forum for British Seagull motors and connected with Jim. Jim gave him information about the outboard motor he was considering. Jim, the individual Joe met and respected online who gave him product information and advice, is an example of a(n)_________________________.
A) symbolic source
B) formal source
C) informal source
D) normative source
E) comparative source

Accepted Answer

Jim, the individual Joe met on the forum, is not a formal source of information as he is not an official representative of the manufacturer or seller of the outboard motor. He is also not a normative source as he did not provide Joe with any moral or ethical guidance. He could be considered a comparative source, but the fact that Joe respected him and sought out his advice indicates that he is more likely an informal source of information.

Question 8

Standing in a crowd waiting for a retail shopping experience, shoppers see themselves as making the right buying decision - a concept known as _______________________.
A) diffusion of responsibility
B) diffusion of innovation
C) social queuing
D) social loafing
E) social proof

Accepted Answer

The concept described in the scenario is social proof, which refers to the tendency to rely on the actions or opinions of others to guide our own behavior in a given situation. In this case, shoppers are more likely to feel confident about their purchasing decisions when they see others also waiting in line for the same retail experience. Diffusion of responsibility, diffusion of innovation, social queuing, and social loafing are all different concepts that do not apply to the described scenario.

Question 9

Referral programs, which offer rewards to current members who convince others to join, are an important element of ______________________.
A) friendship groups
B) shopping groups
C) virtual communities
D) advocacy groups
E) aspirational groups

Accepted Answer

The answer of Referral programs, which offer rewards to current...

Question 10

A(n)______________________ provides offers expertise regarding a particular product category, reduces uncertainty related to making an incorrect purchase, or increases consumer confidence because it provides a collective decision.
A) friendship group
B) shopping group
C) virtual community
D) advocacy group
E) aspirational group

Accepted Answer

A shopping group provides expertise and reduces uncertainty by offering collective decision-making, which increases consumer confidence in purchasing decisions.

Question 11

________ reference groups serve as benchmarks for specific or narrowly defined attitudes or behavior.
A) Comparative
B) Normative
C) Membership
D) Informal
E) Symbolic

Accepted Answer

Comparative reference groups refer to groups that serve as a benchmark for comparing specific behaviors or attitudes. These groups provide a standard for comparison that helps individuals evaluate their own behavior and attitudes. For example, a person may compare their political views to those of a particular political party, or their fashion sense to that of a specific group of peers. Comparative reference groups differ from normative reference groups, which serve as a benchmark for more general social norms and values.

Question 12

The consumer's earliest and often most influential reference group is __________________.
A) the family
B) their religious organization
C) their classmates
D) their friends
E) their heroes

Accepted Answer

The family is often the earliest and most influential reference group for a consumer, as they are the first group of people that the consumer interacts with and receives socialization from.

Question 13

Professional tennis players may constitute a(n)________ group for an amateur tennis player who identifies with certain players by imitating their behavior whenever possible despite the fact that the amateur tennis player does not qualify for membership as a professional tennis player because he/she has neither the skills nor the opportunity to compete professionally.
A) comparative
B) normative
C) membership
D) informal
E) symbolic

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is "symbolic" because a symbolic group is one that individuals may admire or look up to and seek to emulate, even though they do not or cannot belong to it. In this case, the amateur tennis player looks up to professional tennis players as a source of inspiration and models their behavior, despite not being able to join the group of professional players.

Question 14

A(n)______________________ provides companionship, security, and opportunities to discuss problems that an individual might be reluctant to discuss with family members.
A) friendship group
B) shopping group
C) virtual community
D) advocacy group
E) aspirational group

Accepted Answer

A friendship group provides companionship and an opportunity to discuss personal problems with individuals who are not related by blood or marriage. They can offer emotional support and a sense of security. They can also provide a non-judgmental sounding board for discussing personal issues that one might feel uncomfortable sharing with family members.

Question 15

_________________ is an unpaid form of promotion, oral or written, in which satisfied customers tell other people how much they like a business, product, service or event.
A) Word-of-mouth
B) Source credibility
C) Comparative influence
D) Normative influence
E) Symbolic influence

Accepted Answer

Word-of-mouth is the most appropriate choice as it refers to unpaid promotion through satisfied customers sharing their positive experiences with others. Source credibility refers to the perceived trustworthiness of the source, comparative influence refers to the influence of information or opinions that are compared to others, normative influence refers to the influence of social norms, and symbolic influence refers to the influence of symbols or imagery.

Question 16

Bill is an avid coin collector and belongs to a coin collectors' club, receiving a monthly magazine and invitations to exclusive events. This coin collectors' club is an example of a(n)________ group.
A) comparative
B) normative
C) membership
D) informal
E) symbolic

Accepted Answer

Bill belongs to a group that has clear membership guidelines and benefits such as receiving a monthly magazine and invitations to exclusive events. This makes it a membership group.

Question 17

___________________, or the source's persuasive impact, stems from its perceived expertise, trustworthiness, and believability.
A) Source recognition
B) Source encoding
C) Source decoding
D) Source degradation
E) Source credibility

Accepted Answer

The statement is referring to the concept of source credibility, which is the perceived expertise, trustworthiness, and believability of the source. Source recognition refers to the ability to recognize the source of a message, while source encoding and decoding refer to the process of creating and interpreting a message. Source degradation is not a relevant concept in this context.

Question 18

A child's immediate family is a ________ group that plays an important role in molding the child's general consumer values and behavior.
A) comparative
B) normative
C) membership
D) informal
E) symbolic

Accepted Answer

A child's immediate family is considered a normative group because it sets the standards and norms that influence the child's values and behaviors, including consumer behavior.

Question 19

A(n)________ group is one in which an individual is not likely to receive membership, despite acting like a member by adopting the group's values, attitudes, and behavior.
A) comparative
B) normative
C) membership
D) informal
E) symbolic

Accepted Answer

A symbolic group is one where an individual might admire and emulate the group's values, attitudes, and behaviors, but does not actually belong to the group. This contrasts with groups where membership is attainable through certain actions or qualifications.

Question 20

_____________________________ are groups that serve as sources of comparison, influence and norms for people's opinions, values and behaviors.
A) Age cohorts
B) Reference groups
C) Norming groups
D) Norming cohorts
E) Social conduct groups

Accepted Answer

Reference groups are groups that individuals use as a standard for their own attitudes, values and behaviors. These groups provide a point of comparison and influence social norms. Age cohorts refer to people who are born in the same time period and may share values and experiences, but do not necessarily influence each other's behavior in the same way as reference groups. Norming groups and norming cohorts are not commonly used terms in sociology or psychology. Social conduct groups are not a recognized term in sociology or psychology.

Quiz 9: Reference Groups and Word-of-Mouth

________ are groups that serve as frames of reference for individuals in their consumption decisions because they are perceived as credible sources.

Sheila admires her boss, Jerry, so she aspires to live her lifestyle and have similar possessions. Jerry exerts _________________ influence on Sheila.

________ reference groups influence broadly defined values or behavior.

The key factor underlying the persuasive impact of a personal or interpersonal message received from either a formal or informal source is ________.

A(n) _ is either a person or medium providing consumption-related information and hired and paid by and organization. A(n) ____ is person whom the message receiver knows personally, such as a parent or friend who gives product information or advice, or an individual met and respected online.

A group to which a person either belongs or would qualify to belong to is called a(n) ________ group.

Standing in a crowd waiting for a retail shopping experience, shoppers see themselves as making the right buying decision - a concept known as _______________________.

Referral programs, which offer rewards to current members who convince others to join, are an important element of ______________________.

A(n) ______________________ provides offers expertise regarding a particular product category, reduces uncertainty related to making an incorrect purchase, or increases consumer confidence because it provides a collective decision.

________ reference groups serve as benchmarks for specific or narrowly defined attitudes or behavior.

The consumer's earliest and often most influential reference group is __________________.

A(n) ______________________ provides companionship, security, and opportunities to discuss problems that an individual might be reluctant to discuss with family members.

_________________ is an unpaid form of promotion, oral or written, in which satisfied customers tell other people how much they like a business, product, service or event.

Bill is an avid coin collector and belongs to a coin collectors' club, receiving a monthly magazine and invitations to exclusive events. This coin collectors' club is an example of a(n) ________ group.

___________________, or the source's persuasive impact, stems from its perceived expertise, trustworthiness, and believability.

A child's immediate family is a ________ group that plays an important role in molding the child's general consumer values and behavior.

A(n) ________ group is one in which an individual is not likely to receive membership, despite acting like a member by adopting the group's values, attitudes, and behavior.

_____________________________ are groups that serve as sources of comparison, influence and norms for people's opinions, values and behaviors.