Final answer:
Members of influential bands like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones that people emulated in the 1960s are known as reference groups, as they served as models for behavior and style.
Step-by-step explanation:
The individuals in bands such as the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, who were emulated by people during the 1960s for their style and cultural influence, are best described as reference groups. Reference groups serve as a standard or benchmark that individuals use for evaluating themselves and their behaviors. In the 1960s, many students looked up to these musicians for inspiration and as models for social consciousness, fashion, and lifestyle choices. This emulation of rock bands by a younger generation indicates how popular culture and its icons can exercise a profound impact on society and individual behavior, thereby serving as powerful reference groups. In this context, the influence of these bands on culture inspired individuals to adopt their fashion style, hairstyles, and social consciousness about various issues such as war, segregation, and family.