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Bulletin of Practical Psychology of Education
2025. Vol. 22, no. 3, 88 – 102
doi:10.17759/bppe.2025220306
ISSN: 2658-3100 (online)

Evolution and dynamics of reference groups in the context of personality formation and transformation

 
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Abstract

Context and relevance. Reference groups (RG) are a key element of an individual's social and psychological development, shaping their self-concept, values, and behavior. They serve as a source of norms, values, and standards for comparison. In the context of the digital transformation of society, characterized by a diverse range of knowledge, opportunities, and opinions, as well as the virtualization and dynamism of social connections, understanding the evolution, current forms, mechanisms of influence, and especially the dynamics of RG throughout an individual's life becomes particularly relevant from a scientific and practical perspective. Understanding the dynamics of the RG in the life course from the perspective of developmental, social, and clinical psychology is especially important for educators, classroom supervisors, and parents. Objective. To develop a theoretical model of the psychological dynamics of the influence of reference groups on personal development and identity in the context of life path under modern challenges. Hypothesis. The dynamics of reference groups in the life path of an individual is a non-linear process determined by age transitions, changes in social roles, key life events, changes in values ​​and technological accessibility, and is manifested in shifts in sources of influence, the level of their stability, voluntariness of choice, the dominant type of influence, the multiplicity of groups and the role of digital RGs. Methods and materials. Systematic theoretical analysis of psychological, sociological, and interdisciplinary literature; conceptual modeling based on theories of development, social cognition, and identity. The research material includes classical and contemporary theoretical and empirical works on the issue of reference groups. Results. The psychological functions of RG have been identified, a psychologically substantiated model of dynamics has been developed that links changes in the repertoire and significance of RG to age-related tasks, the mechanisms of influence have been clarified with a focus on cognitive and behavioral processes, and the psychological risks of negative RG influence have been identified. Conclusions. The model confirms the central role of reference groups in psychological development. Modern society's capabilities, including global digitalization, enhance both positive and negative aspects of influence. Understanding these dynamics is essential for psychoprophylaxis, counseling, and personal growth and development.

General Information

Keywords: reference group, developmental psychology, social identity, self-esteem, social comparison, self-concept, digital socialization, life path

Journal rubric: Axiological and Personality-Oriented Basis of Cooperation and Interaction of Educational Environment Subjects

Article type: scientific article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/bppe.2025220306

Received 29.08.2025

Revised 02.09.2025

Accepted

Published

For citation: Oltarzhevskaya, L.E. (2025). Evolution and dynamics of reference groups in the context of personality formation and transformation. Bulletin of Practical Psychology of Education, 22(3), 88 – 102. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/bppe.2025220306

© Oltarzhevskaya L.E., 2025

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

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Information About the Authors

Lyubov E. Oltarzhevskaya, Candidate of Science (Education), scientific director, City Psychological and Pedagogical Center of the Department of Education and Science of Moscow, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4712-9170, e-mail: oltarzhevskayale@edu.mos.ru

Conflict of interest

The author declares no conflict of interest.

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