When Anna started high school, she dated a boy on the football team. The relationship ended badly, and Anna swore off jocks forever. She avoids sports games and tells everyone she knows how lame school sports are. Recently, she started dating a new boyfriend who has embraced the Goth persona. Anna thinks he is very cool and wants to be just like him. Anna views jocks as a(n) _____________________, while she views those who embrace the Gothic lifestyle as a(n) _____________________.
A)dissociative reference group; membership reference group
B)undesirable reference group; desirable reference group
C)dissociative reference group; aspirational reference group
D)negative reference group; positive reference group
E)negative reference group; desirable reference group

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Anna sees jocks as a dissociative reference group because she actively tries to distance herself from them and does not want to be associated with their interests or behaviors. On the other hand, she sees those who embrace the Gothic lifestyle as an aspirational reference group because she wants to be like them and admires their style and personality. The terms "undesirable reference group" and "negative reference group" do not accurately reflect Anna's attitudes towards jocks or Gothics, as she may not necessarily think of them as inherently bad or negative.

When Anna Started High School, She Dated a Boy on the Football