Reference Group
A、reference group is a concept referring to a group to which an individual or another group is compareD、It is the group to which the individual relates or aspires to relate himself or herself psychologically. It becomes the individual’s frame of reference and the source for organizing his or her experiences, perceptions, cognition, and ideas of self.
Reference groups provide the benchmarks and contrast needed for comparison and evaluation of group or personal characteristics. Robert K. Merton hypothesized that individuals compare themselves with reference groups of people who occupy the social role to which the individual aspires.
Question: The professor uses one example to illustrate the definition of "reference group".Explain how this example is related to the reading passage.