Formal and informal referent groups: An exploration of novices and experts in maternity services.

Tinson, Julie; Ensor, John

Abstract

Different social groups place varying emphasis on the importance of referent input. While referent groups are recognised as having a significant influence on purchase behaviour, attitude formation and information processing, the extent to which referent groups are a determinant in decision making is yet to be fully explored. Considering novice and expert users of the maternity services, this paper focuses on the significance of referent groups for women during the maternity process. This research produced interesting results, not least that novice and expert users, resident in lower ACORN areas are dependent on informal referent groups while novice users, resident in higher ACORN areas, are influenced by formal referent groups when making decisions regarding their care.

Citation

Tinson, J., & Ensor, J. (2001). Formal and informal referent groups: An exploration of novices and experts in maternity services. Journal of Consumer Behaviour, 1(2), 174-183. https://doi.org/10.1002/cb.63

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: Jul 11, 2006
• Publication Date: 2001-11
• Deposit Date: Feb 15, 2008
• Print ISSN: 1472-0817
• Electronic ISSN: 1479-1838
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 1
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 174-183
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/cb.63
• Keywords: decision-making, influence, social groups, comparative and normative, maternity, ACORN areas
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/id/eprint/2081