Read the passage below and answer the questions as instructed:-

A driver in the army went through an experience that transformed his life. On one mission, he narrowly escaped death although all his companions got killed. Wondering about the purpose of his life he gave up his job in the army, returned to the native village in Maharashtra and worked actively as a community leader. His strong positive attitude towards community upliftinent and his efforts completely changed the face of his village for which he was awarded by the State government.

Attitudes towards various topics such as political, religious social group, occupation, national & other issues, are developed through _______ group.

Reference group

Reference Groups : Reference groups indicate to an individual the norms regarding acceptable behaviour and ways of thinking. Thus, they reflect learning of attitudes through group or cultural norms. Attitudes towards various topics, such as political, religious and social groups, occupations, national and other issues are often developed through reference groups. Their influence is noticeable especially during the beginning of adolescence, at which time it is important for the individual to feel that s/he belongs to a group. Therefore, the role of reference groups in attitude formation may also be a case of learning through reward and punishment.

In the passage, the driver's attitude towards community upliftment was likely influenced by the reference groups he was exposed to in the army and in his native village. In the army, he was surrounded by people who were dedicated to serving their country, and he learned to value hard work, dedication, and selflessness. In his native village, he was surrounded by people who were struggling to make ends meet, and he developed a strong sense of compassion and a desire to help others.

The other factors listed, friends group, media influence, and family and school environment, can also influence attitudes. However, reference groups are often more powerful than these other factors because they provide an individual with a sense of identity and belonging.