groups of which a person is not necessarily a member, but which he uses as a standard for evaluating himself, his behavior, values and beliefs. These groups serve as a benchmark for determining social norms, acceptable orientations, and desirable roles in society. People compare themselves to such groups for the purpose of imitation, conformity, or difference. Thus, reference groups play a key role in guiding personal and social behavior and shaping individual decisions and choices, even without actual group affiliation. From a psychological point of view, reference groups help people assess their abilities and position in comparison with others, form their social and psychological identity, and determine the level of self-acceptance. People tend to change their behavior by adopting some values or rejecting others based on what they observe in those groups, whether to achieve social conformity or to stand out from others. Reference groups are also used to provide clues on how to behave in certain situations or adopt a desired or socially acceptable lifestyle. From a social point of view, reference groups are a powerful tool for transmitting social and cultural values and norms, establishing dominant trends and facilitating the social adaptation of an individual in the wider community. They help define social roles, set boundaries for acceptable behavior, and promote group cohesion by indirectly influencing those who seek to imitate or conform to these norms. Reference groups can have both positive and negative influences, depending on the values and norms they represent and the goals that a person seeks to achieve by comparing himself with them.