Final answer:
A group whose values, norms, and beliefs come to serve as a standard for one's behavior is called a reference group. These groups act as benchmarks for our behavior and greatly influence our attitudes and self-perception, unlike primary groups or formal organizations.
Step-by-step explanation:
A group whose values, norms, and beliefs come to serve as a standard for one's own behavior is known as a reference group. Reference groups play a crucial role in the way we view and shape our behavior. They act as a benchmark for comparing our attitudes and performance and influence the way we look at our own life circumstances.
These groups could be ones we aspire to belong to or ones that we are a part of and they can significantly affect our behavior. For example, a professional association might serve as a reference group for a working professional by providing standards for behavior and practice within their field.
A contrast would be primary groups, such as family, which are typically characterized by long-term, emotional relationships. Secondary groups are larger and more impersonal, often focused around a specific goal or activity. Formal organizations, on the other hand, are highly structured groups created for a particular objective, like businesses or governments.