The Individual & The Group

Question 1

What is Social Identity Theory?

Answer 1

Social Identity Theory explains how individuals develop their identity based on group membership. It consists of three components: social categorisation (grouping people based on similar traits), social identification (associating with the group’s behaviors), and social comparison (perceiving the in-group as superior to the out-group).

Question 2

What are the three key components of Social Identity Theory?

Answer 2

The three key components of Social Identity Theory are:

Social categorisation: Grouping people based on similar characteristics.

Social identification: Adopting the behaviors and norms of the in-group.

Social comparison: Viewing the in-group as superior to the out-group.

Question 3

What is an in-group and out-group in the context of Social Identity Theory?

Answer 3

An in-group is the group to which an individual belongs and identifies with, while an out-group consists of those who do not share the same characteristics as the in-group.

Question 4

What was the aim of Tajfel et al.’s 1971 study?

Answer 4

The aim of Tajfel et al.’s study was to investigate the effect of in-group and out-group bias on individuals’ behavior and decision-making.

Question 5

Describe the method used used in Tajfel et al.’s 1971 study.

Answer 5

Tajfel et al. (1971) used a laboratory experiment where 48 British schoolboys were shown paintings by two artists (Klee and Kandinsky) and were then randomly assigned to either the Klee or Kandinsky group. They were asked to distribute points to in-group and out-group members, with no ability to reward themselves.

Question 6

What were the findings of Tajfel et al.’s 1971 study?

Answer 6

The study found that the boys were more likely to give higher rewards to members of their own group (in-group) than to members of the out-group, demonstrating in-group bias and supporting Social Identity Theory.

Question 7

What is the significance of Tajfel et al.’s study in relation to Social Identity Theory?

Answer 7

Tajfel et al.’s study supports Social Identity Theory by showing how individuals categorize others into in-groups and out-groups, leading to bias in favor of their own group, even in a minimal group context.

Question 8

What is Social Cognitive Theory?

Answer 8

Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), developed by Albert Bandura, emphasizes how people learn behavior through observation. It involves four key processes: attention, retention, motivation, and reproduction. SCT also highlights the role of self-efficacy and vicarious reinforcement.

Question 9

What are the four key processes in Social Cognitive Theory?

Answer 9

The four key processes in Social Cognitive Theory are:

Attention: Focusing on the model’s behavior.

Retention: Remembering the observed behavior.

Motivation: The desire to perform the behavior based on expected outcomes.

Reproduction: The ability to reproduce the behavior.

Question 10

What role does self-efficacy play in Social Cognitive Theory?

Answer 10

Self-efficacy refers to an individual’s belief in their ability to succeed in specific situations. It influences the likelihood of engaging in behaviors and is central to Social Cognitive Theory.

Question 11

What was the aim of Bandura et al.’s 1961 study?

Answer 11

The aim of Bandura et al.’s 1961 study was to examine whether children would imitate aggressive behavior observed in adults, and whether they were more likely to imitate same-sex models.

Question 12

Describe the methodology used in Bandura et al.’s 1961 study.

Answer 12

The study involved 72 preschool children (ages 3-6), divided into three groups. One group observed an adult behaving aggressively toward a Bobo doll, another saw non-aggressive behavior, and the third group saw no model. Children’s behavior was later observed in a room with toys, including both aggressive and non-aggressive toys.

Question 13

What were the findings of Bandura et al.’s 1961 study?

Answer 13

The study found that children who observed aggressive behavior were significantly more likely to imitate the aggressive actions. Boys were more likely to engage in physical aggression, and both boys and girls imitated same-sex models more often.

Question 14

What conclusion can be drawn from Bandura et al.’s 1961 study in relation to Social Cognitive Theory?

Answer 14

The study supports Social Cognitive Theory by showing that children learn behavior through observation, influenced by the model’s gender and the perceived consequences of the behavior. The study highlights the importance of vicarious reinforcement and self-efficacy in learning.

Question 15

What are stereotypes?

Answer 15

Stereotypes are generalized beliefs or assumptions about the characteristics of members of a particular group, often oversimplified and inaccurate. These beliefs can lead to biased judgments about individuals based on their group membership.

Question 16

What are two explanations for the formation of stereotypes?

Answer 16

Two explanations for the formation of stereotypes are:

Social Identity Theory: Stereotypes arise when individuals categorize themselves and others into in-groups and out-groups, leading to biased perceptions of the out-group.

Illusory Correlation: Stereotypes form when people perceive a false relationship between two variables, such as associating negative behaviors with a minority group.

Question 17

What is Illusory Correlation in the context of stereotypes?

Answer 17

Illusory Correlation refers to the tendency to perceive an exaggerated or false relationship between two variables, such as associating minority group membership with negative behaviors, even when there is no objective evidence to support it.

Question 18

What was the aim of Schaller’s study on stereotype formation?

Answer 18

Schaller aimed to explore how people form illusory correlations between group membership (especially minority status) and behavior, reinforcing stereotypes.

Question 19

Describe the method used in Schaller’s study on stereotypes.

Answer 19

In Schaller’s study, participants were shown slides of two groups of people (a majority and a minority group) and were asked to rate their behaviors. The minority group was associated more frequently with negative behaviors, even though the frequency of such behaviors was equal across both groups.

Question 20

What were the findings of Schaller’s study on stereotype formation?

Answer 20

Schaller found that participants were more likely to associate negative behaviors with the minority group, demonstrating that people tend to form stereotypes by overestimating the relationship between minority status and undesirable behaviors.

Question 21

What conclusion can be drawn from Schaller’s study?

Answer 21

Schaller’s study suggests that stereotypes form not based on objective evidence but through cognitive biases, such as the illusory correlation, where people notice and remember behaviors that confirm pre-existing beliefs about certain groups.

Question 22

What is the “shooter bias”? (effect of stereotypes)

Answer 22

The shooter bias refers to the tendency for individuals to mistakenly perceive Black people as more threatening and to be quicker to shoot them in situations involving perceived danger, due to stereotypes associating Black individuals with aggression.

Question 23

What was the aim of Postman’s research on stereotypes?

Answer 23

Postman aimed to explore how racial stereotypes influence people’s perceptions and actions, particularly in situations involving potential danger.

Question 24

Describe the methodology used in Postman’s study on stereotypes.

Answer 24

Postman used a mock “shoot/don’t shoot” decision-making task where participants viewed images of Black or White individuals holding either a weapon or a non-threatening object. They had to decide whether to shoot based on perceived threat.

Question 25

What were the findings of Postman’s study on racial bias?

Answer 25

Postman found that participants were more likely to mistakenly shoot Black individuals holding non-threatening objects compared to White individuals, suggesting that racial stereotypes influence people’s perceptions of threat.

Question 26

What conclusion can be drawn from Postman’s study on stereotypes?

Answer 26

The study shows that stereotypes, particularly racial stereotypes, can lead to biased and potentially harmful outcomes in decision-making, especially in high-stress situations like law enforcement, where decisions are made quickly and with limited information.