Question 1

Which of the following is true of groups that are formally structured?

Accepted Answer

Groups that are formally structured have established rules outlining the criteria for group membership. This helps maintain order and coherence within the group.

Question 2

Kimberley has two older sisters, Stephanie and Grace. Kimberley imitates her sisters' behaviors, such as the way they dress, the way they walk, and the way they talk. Stephanie and Grace are a(n) _____ to Kimberley.

Accepted Answer

An associative reference group is a group to which an individual belongs or aspires to belong and with whom the individual interacts and has influence. In this scenario, Kimberley's sisters are her associative reference group because she is imitating their behavior and likely values their opinions and behaviors.

Question 3

After graduating from university, Ted joined the army. He had been looking forward to serving his country by joining the army, but the routine-based lifestyle and strict training had him doubting his decision. In this scenario, Ted is feeling the influence of a(n) _____.

Accepted Answer

Ted's doubts about his decision to join the army suggest that he is looking to an aspirational reference group, a group to which he aspires to belong. In this case, the aspirational reference group may be people who successfully serve in the army or had a positive experience in the military. The other options (schematic reference group, brand community, market maven, and opinion leader) do not fit the context of the scenario.

Question 4

There are a lot of biker gangs in Michael's neighborhood. These gangs do not follow community rules, drive their motorbikes at reckless speeds, and draw graffiti on the wall. Michael's family and friends have warned him to stay away from these gangs as they can be a bad influence on him. To Michael and the people in his neighborhood, the biker gangs are an example of a(n) _____.

Accepted Answer

A dissociative reference group is a group where individuals do not want to belong to. Michael and the people in his neighborhood do not want to associate themselves with the biker gangs as they do not follow community rules and values.

Question 5

A(n) _____ is a group we do not want to emulate.

Accepted Answer

A dissociative reference group is a group that an individual does not want to identify with or emulate.

Question 6

Owing to the rising popularity of celebrities and professional athletes, most top brands have started using them as brand ambassadors in their TV commercials and newspaper advertisements. Brands are likely doing this because youngsters consider celebrities and professional athletes their _____.

Accepted Answer

Aspirational reference group refers to a group of individuals whom a person wishes to emulate or aspire to become. The use of celebrities and professional athletes as brand ambassadors is likely to appeal to youngsters who consider them as role models and aspire to be like them.

Question 7

Carol is a graphic designer. She wants to buy a computer, so she asks Reda, her friend, for advice. Reda works at a computer repair and assembly store and knows everything there is to know about computers. In this case, Reda is a(n):

Accepted Answer

An opinion leader is someone who has expertise or knowledge in a particular area, and others rely on their opinions or recommendations when making decisions. Reda fits this description as Carol seeks his advice on purchasing a computer.

Question 8

Associative reference groups are groups that:

Accepted Answer

Associative reference groups are those groups to which an individual actually belongs, such as family, friends, or professional organizations. These groups can significantly influence an individual's behavior and attitudes.

Question 9

Gatekeepers are individuals who:

Accepted Answer

Gatekeepers are individuals who control the flow of information by either regulating or filtering information to certain individuals or groups. They can control what information is shared, when it is shared, and how it is shared.

Question 10

People become opinion leaders because they:

Accepted Answer

Opinion leaders have an intrinsic interest and enjoyment of products, which motivates them to share their experiences and knowledge with others. This passion and knowledge make them a reliable source of information and influence on others.

Question 11

Whitney, a teenager, loves Frenemies, a television series. She wants to have a life just like the characters on the show. She admires all the actors on the show because of their sense of style and the activities they endorse. In this scenario, Whitney sees the cast of Frenemies as a(n):

Accepted Answer

Whitney sees the cast of Frenemies as an aspirational reference group because she aspires to have a life similar to the characters on the show and admires their style and activities. An aspirational reference group is a group of people that a consumer admires and wishes to emulate, but may not necessarily have direct contact with.

Question 12

A(n) _____ is a specialized group of consumers with a structured set of relationships involving a particular brand.

Accepted Answer

A brand community is a specialized group of consumers who have formed relationships around a particular brand. These communities can be online or in-person and are often facilitated by the brand itself. Members of a brand community share a common interest in the brand and may engage in activities such as sharing product reviews, attending events, or participating in forums or social media groups. Building strong brand communities can help companies improve customer loyalty and advocacy.

Question 13

A business school has set up a gateway course that allows its students to collaborate with each other and their lecturers through a private social media platform. The platform allows students to ask their queries, exchange notes, and share information related to exam schedules and class timings. The school hopes that this new platform will increase graduation rates. In this case, the business school is attempting to increase what is known as the _____ of the students.

Accepted Answer

The business school is attempting to increase the "tie-strength" among students and between students and lecturers by facilitating better communication and collaboration through a private social media platform. Tie-strength refers to the closeness and cohesiveness of relationships in a network, which can enhance support, information exchange, and ultimately, outcomes such as graduation rates.

Question 14

Ying is a competitive gamer. She is a member of several online computer gaming communities, and she streams and shares all the games she plays with the members of the communities. For her, these online communities serve as a(n) _____.

Accepted Answer

Online gaming communities are secondary reference groups as they are larger and more impersonal compared to primary groups, which are small and close-knit.

Question 15

_____ are groups we admire and wish to be like but are not currently a member of.

Accepted Answer

Aspirational reference groups are those that we admire and aspire to be like, but are not currently members of.

Question 16

The overall similarity among members in the social system is called _____.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The overall similarity among members in the...

Question 17

A(n) _____ is an individual who acts as an information broker between the mass media and the views and behaviors of an individual or group.

Accepted Answer

An opinion leader is someone who can influence the attitudes and behaviors of others. They are knowledgeable and well-respected in a particular area, and their opinions are valued by others. They act as communication channels between the mass media and the views and behaviors of individuals or groups, which makes them important for marketers who are trying to promote their products or services.

Question 18

Manson has subscribed to all the shopping magazines that he knows of and hence is aware of the sale offers in his town. His friends come to him for advice on a wide range of products and to determine where to shop. In this scenario, Manson is a(n):

Accepted Answer

Manson fits the description of a market maven, which refers to individuals who have a lot of information about many products, places to shop, and other aspects of the market. Their knowledge and advice are sought after by others, making them an important type of influencer in marketing.

Question 19

Marc, a student, wants to become a member of his university's football team. However, to be accepted in the team, he needs to adhere to strict team rules, such as attending all team practices and earning a passing grade in all subjects. To Marc, the university football team is a(n) _____.

Accepted Answer

An aspirational reference group refers to a group to which an individual aspires to belong, and whose norms and values the individual desires to adopt. In this scenario, Marc wants to be part of his university's football team, which is an aspirational reference group for him.

Question 20

BuyandBefriend.com, an online retailer, allows its customers to post reviews of the books, music, and other products it sells. Customers can add each other as friends, share wish list items, and recommend products to each other. In this case, BuyandBefriend.com is using a _____ to promote its products.

Accepted Answer

BuyandBefriend.com is using a brand community to promote its products. The platform allows customers to interact with each other, share wish list items, and recommend products, creating a sense of community around the brand. This can lead to increased loyalty and positive word-of-mouth marketing.

Quiz 11: Social Influences on Consumer Behavior