SCLO: Part One: Short Answer

Question 1

Principles

Answer 1

1. Human beings are social animals and we have a basic need to belong
2. Culture influences behavior
3. Humans are social animals and so have a social and self identity
4. People’s views of the world are resistant to change

Question 2

Research Methods

Answer 2

• Experiments, case studies, interviews, correlational studies, overt and covert observational studies and surveys

Question 3

Ethical Considerations

Answer 3

Emotional harm, informed consent, right to withdraw, deception, debriefing

Question 4

Heider’s Attribution Theory

Answer 4

1. People look for causes and reasons for other people’s behavior because we feel that there are motives
2. People construct their own theories as to why people act the way they do
3. People do this because they want to understand, control and predict their environment

Question 5

Discounting Principle of Attribution

Answer 5

People opt for the simplest definition

1. We discount other possible causes when we believe one is most likely
2. We are more likely to give one factor all the credit when several factors may be at play

Question 6

Fundamental Attribution Error

Answer 6

• When people overestimate the role of dispositional factors in an individual’s behavior and underestimate situational factors
• Often happens when there isn’t enough information to make a balanced decision

Question 7

Self-serving Bias Error

Answer 7

-When people take credit for success, attributing them to dispositional factors, but attribute their failures to situational factors

Question 8

Modesty Bias

Answer 8

-Attribution of failures to ability and disposition

Question 9

Actor-observer Effect

Answer 9

• People attribute their own behavior (as the actor) to situational factors
• People (as observers) attribute other’s behavior to dispositional factors

Question 10

Situational and Dispositional Factors in Behavior

Answer 10

• Dispositional factors: Personal or internal reasons for behavior
• Situational factors: External or environmental reasons for behavior

Question 11

In-groups and Out-groups

Answer 11

• In-group: a social group in which one identifies

- Out-group: a social group in which one does not identify

Question 12

Stereotypes

Answer 12

1. The cognitive process of categorizing people into groups based on visible cues such as gender, nationality, race, religion, body appearance
2. Assuming all members of a group share the same characteristics
3. Assigning individuals to these groups and presuming that they all possess the same characteristic based on little information other than their possession of the noticeable trait or cue

Question 13

Errors in stereotype formation

Answer 13

1. Grain of truth: We create generalization about groups based on one experience
2. Illusory experience: A false relationship is perceived between two variables
3. Confirmation bias: We seek out and remember information that confirms what we already believe
4. False propaganda: groups/individuals with political or inter-group motives distort information

Question 14

Stereotype Threat

Answer 14

-The effect of a stereotype on one’s performance. Occurs when one is in a situation where there is a threat of being judged or treated stereotypically or a fear of doing something would inadvertently confirm that stereotype

Question 15

Spotlight Anxiety

Answer 15

Causes emotional distress and pressure that may undermine performance

Question 16

Social Identity Theory

Answer 16

-Based on the assumption that individuals strive to improve their self-image by trying to enhance their self-esteem based on their personal identity and social identity

Question 17

Social Identity Theory Component: Identification with a group

Answer 17

Groups with higher value tend to help meet goals, match traits and values, satisfy basic needs, positive stereotypes, have a higher status and are freely chosen

Question 18

Social Identity Theory compononets

Answer 18

Identification with a group, social comparison, positive self-esteem

Question 19

Social Identity Theory Component: Social Comparision

Answer 19

a. When comparing one’s own social group with others we tend to exaggerate the similarities of those in the same group and exaggerate the difference of those in the out-group

Question 20

Social Identity Theory Component: Positive Self-esteem

Answer 20

a. Comes from being a member of a group. Self esteem is seen as a basic motivator for humans

Question 21

Social Learning Theory

Answer 21

The passing along of social norms through observational learning

Question 22

Social Learning Theory Factors

Answer 22

1. Attention: the person must pay attention to the model
2. Retention: the observer must be able to remember the behavior
3. Motor reproduction: the observer must be able to replicate the action
4. Motivation: Learners must want to demonstrate what they have learned

Question 23

Motivation factors of social learning theory

Answer 23

1. Consistency: if the model acts consistently across situations
2. Identification with the model: There is tendency to imitate models who are like us
3. Rewards/punishment: we watch what happened to other’s as a result of their behavior and learn from their consequences
4. Likability of the model: Friendly models and those who we already have a friendly connection with

Question 24

Compliance

Answer 24

-A response to a direct attempt to influence someone by means of a request; one person explicitly asks another to act in a certain way

Question 25

Compliance Techniques

Answer 25

1. Reciprocity: One person tries to repay, in kind, what another person has provided
2. Commitment and Consistency: People have a desire to be consistent within their words, beliefs, attitudes and deeds
3. Social Proof: People mirror the behavior of people that they want to be more like
4. Liking: People prefer to say yes to individuals they know and like
5. Authority: People tend to obey authority figures
6. Scarcity: People assign more value to opportunities when they are less available

Question 26

Conformity

Answer 26

-Involves a change of behavior towards someone or something because of pressure from a group rather than a direct request

Question 27

Factors that Influence Conformity

Answer 27

1. Group Unanimity: Conformity is most likely when all the confederates agree
2. Group size: Higher level of conformity with more than one person, but very large groups decrease conformity
3. Self-esteem: Subjects with high self-esteem conform less than those with low self-esteem
4. Confidence: When individuals feel they are an expert in this field they are less likely to conform
5. Cultural norms: People in collectivist societies are more likely to conform than those in individualistic studies
6. Attractiveness of the group
7. Reinforcement: being rewarded for agreeing with the majority

Question 28

Emic

Answer 28

-Looks at behaviors that are culturally specific

Question 29

Etic

Answer 29

-Looks at universal rules for behavior across culture, attempts to be culturally neutral

Question 30

Culture

Answer 30

• A dynamic system of rules, explicit and implicit, established by groups in order to ensure their survival, involving attitudes, values, beliefs, norms, and behaviors
• Behavior patterns that are typical of certain groups and passed down through the generations by observational learning

Question 31

Culture definition problems

Answer 31

1. Numerous accepted definitions
2. Culture is complex because it includes all human life and its artifacts
3. It changes
4. There are political aspects to cultural definitions
5. Definitions reflect out assumptions, theoretical orientations and interests

Question 32

Cultural Dimensions

Answer 32

-Aspects of culture that can be measured relative to other cultures, differences in behavior are a consequence of culture, culture is defined as mental programming, unlearning, what is programmed is difficult because we are resistant to change

Question 33

Ecological Fallacy

Answer 33

-When looking at two cultures it should not be assumed that they must be different from one another or that just because a person is from a culture that the dimensions necessarily apply to that person