Sociocultural Approach - Terminology

Question 1

Culture

Answer 1

Beliefs, customs, and traditions of a specific large group of people

Question 2

Surface culture

Answer 2

Behaviors, customs, words, and traditions of a culture that can easily be observed

Question 3

Deep culture

Answer 3

Values, thought processes, assumptions, and beliefs of a culture, that cannot easily be observed

Question 4

Cultural norms

Answer 4

The set of attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors that are specific to a particular culture

Question 5

Enculturation

Answer 5

Learning one’s culture through observation, formal instruction, or direct personal experience

Question 6

Acculturation

Answer 6

Acquiring cultural norms of a different culture

Question 7

Globalization

Answer 7

The increasing interconnectedness among all cultures

Question 8

Self-efficacy

Answer 8

An individual’s belief that he or she is capable of performing a task

Question 9

Social learning

Answer 9

The theory that we learn social behavior by observational learning, imitating, and reinforcement (by Bandura)

Question 10

Social comparison

Answer 10

Tendency to compare oneself to others to validate behavior

Question 11

Social identity

Answer 11

The individual’s self-concept derived from perceived membership in social groups

Question 12

Out-group homogeneity effect

Answer 12

Perception of out-group members as more similar to one another than in-group members

Question 13

Cultural dimensions

Answer 13

The trends of behavior in a given culture that reflect the values of that culture

Question 14

Emic approach

Answer 14

Looking at behaviors of a group from the perspective of one member of that group

Question 15

Etic approach

Answer 15

Involves drawing on the notion of universal properties of cultures, which share common perceptual, cognitive, and emotional structures

Question 16

Individualism

Answer 16

Defining one’s identity in terms of personal attributes rather than group identifications + giving priority to one’s own goals over group goals

Question 17

Social identity theory

Answer 17

The study of the interplay between personal and social identities. The theory aims to predict the circumstances under which individuals think of themselves as individuals or as group members. The theory also considers the consequences of personal and social identities for group behavior

Question 18

Collectivism

Answer 18

Giving priority to the goals of one’s group + defining one’s identity accordingly

Question 19

Social cognitive theory

Answer 19

The theory argues that we learn from observing models that receive rewards and punishment, a process known as vicarious reinforcement

Question 20

Vicarious reinforcement

Answer 20

Our tendency to repeat or imitate behaviors for which others are being rewarded

Question 21

Stereotype

Answer 21

Social perception of an individual in terms of group membership or physical attributes

Question 22

Stereotype threat

Answer 22

When worry about conforming to a negative stereotype leads to underperformance on a test or other task by a member of the stereotyped group

Question 23

Assimilation

Answer 23

When an individual abandons their original culture and adopts the cultural behaviors and values of a new culture

Question 24

Marginalization

Answer 24

When it is not possible to maintain one’s original culture, but because of exclusion or discrimination, it is not possible to assimilate into a new culture

Question 25

Retention

Answer 25

The belief is that observers have to remember what behavior was observed to repeat it

Question 26

Integration

Answer 26

When there is an interest in adopting the behaviors and values of a new culture while maintaining one’s original culture

Question 27

Modelling

Answer 27

The process of observing and imitating a specific behavior

Question 28

Prejudice

Answer 28

A negative attitude toward an entire group of people with very little information about them except the group membership

Question 29

Discrimination

Answer 29

Behavior-based on stereotyping and prejudice

Question 30

Social categorization

Answer 30

The mental process of categorizing people into groups based on their shared characteristics

Question 31

Separation

Answer 31

Individuals maintain the norms of their heritage culture and do not adopt the norms of the new culture

Question 32

Illusory correlations

Answer 32

Correlations that appear to exist, but either do not exist or are much weaker than assumed

Question 33

Minimal group paradigm

Answer 33

An experimental paradigm in which researchers create groups based on arbitrary and seemingly meaningless criteria and then examine how the members of said groups are inclined to behave toward one another

Question 34

Attention

Answer 34

The extent to which we notice someone’s specific behavior

Question 35

Motivation

Answer 35

Given a reason, an observer may reproduce a behavior; this is influenced by whether the behavior observed was rewarded or punished

Question 36

Social groups

Answer 36

Collections of individuals who interact and share common characteristics, influencing behavior, attitudes, and identities through shared values, norms, and goals

Question 37

Group norms

Answer 37

Shared expectations and guidelines within a social group that define appropriate and acceptable behavior for its members, influencing the way individuals interact, communicate, and conform to collective standards

Question 38

Positive distinctiveness

Answer 38

The psychological tendency of individuals to perceive their social group as superior or positively distinct compared to other groups, often leading to in-group favoritism and the reinforcement of group identity

Question 39

Superordinate goals

Answer 39

Shared objectives or tasks that require the cooperation of individuals from different social groups, fostering intergroup cooperation and reducing intergroup conflict by emphasizing common interests and goals that override group differences

Question 40

Outcome expectancies

Answer 40

Individuals’ anticipated beliefs about the potential consequences or results of their actions within a specific social or cultural context

Question 41

Relativism

Answer 41

Understanding cultural practices within their context without imposing external judgments

Question 42

Universalism

Answer 42

Acknowledgesshared principles or values across cultures

Question 43

Bilingualism

Answer 43

The ability of individuals to proficiently speak and understand two languages, reflecting the influence of linguistic and cultural diversity on cognitive and social processes

Question 44

Bicultural identity

Answer 44

An individual sense of belonging and, incorporation of values, customs, and behaviors from two distinct cultures, highlight the complex interplay of cultural influences on one’s identity and worldview

Question 45

Berry’s acculturation model

Answer 45

Posts that individuals undergoing cultural change can adopt various strategies, such as assimilation, integration, separation, or marginalization, to navigate the balance between their heritage culture and the dominant culture in a given context

Question 46

Globally assimilated

Answer 46

The process by which individuals adopt the cultural practices, values, and norms of a dominant global culture, potentially leading to a loss or dilution of their distinct cultural identity

Question 47

Locally encapsulated

Answer 47

Described individuals who maintain a strong connection to their local or cultural identity, resisting influence from external or global cultural norms

Question 48

Alienated

Answer 48

The feeling of detachment or estrangement that individuals may experience when they perceive a disconnection from their cultural or social environment

Question 49

Bicultural

Answer 49

Denotes an individual’s ability to navigate and integrate aspects of two distinct cultures, reflecting a dual cultural identity and adaptation to diverse cultural contexts