ABSTRACT
I ntroducing reference group theory It has long been noted that policy-making is “an extraordinary imitative art” (Leichter 1977: 588) displaying a natural tendency of individuals and nations to borrow and adopt structures, administrative arrangements, institutions, and ideas from other societies and states (Bennett 1991: 220; Siegel and Weinberg 1977: 79). The work of social psychologists has done much to substantiate the human predisposition toward emulation. Particularly, the reference group perspective is based on the principle that individuals take the standards and values of other individuals and groups for making judgments, self-appraisals, and behavioral choices (Hyman 1968; Kelley 1952; Shibutani 1955).
