The Sociocultural Approach Flashcards
General
The Sociocultural Approach
Based on the assumption that humans are social beings with a need to belong, and that human behaviour is governed by cultural norms.
SIT
Social Identity Theory
Proposed by Tajfel and Turner, when seeking to explain prejudice and discrimination in humans.
Claims that our identity is at least partly formed through the social groups we belong to.
Social categorisation - Finding one’s in-groups and out-groups.
Social identification - Co-opting norms and attitudes of in-group, creating sense of belonging.
Social comparisons - Meshing perceptions of group memberships.
1. Self esteem is enhanced through positive distinctiveness of in-group (in-group favouritism/out-group prejudice).
2. Out-group homogeneity effect - perception that in-group members view their own as more diverse and out-group members as more similar.
SIT
Social Categorisation
Finding one’s in-groups and out-groups.
SIT
Social Identification
Co-opting norms and attitudes of in-group, creating sense of belonging.
SIT
Social Categorisation
Meshing perceptions of group memberships.
SIT
Out-Group Homogeneity Effect
Perception that in-group members view their own as more diverse and out-group members as more similar.
Stereotype Origins/Effects
Stereotypes
A generalised and rather fixed way of thinking about a group of people.
Involves categorising people into groups based on visual cues (SIT)
A mental shortcut (cognitive schemas).
Stereotype Origins
One Stereotype Origin
The Out-Group Homogeneity Effect.
Explains forming of stereotypes (easier generalisations if similar).
Want to view out-groups as inferior to boost self-esteem.
Stereotype Effects
Biased Evidence Hypothesis
Posits that when racial stereotypes are activated, jurors automatically and unintentionally evaluate ambiguous trial evidence in racially biased ways.
SCT
Social Cognitive Theory
Posits that behaviour is acquired by observation and imitation of behaviour from others, based on its behavioural consequences.
There are several requirements:
Attention - Role model is noticed.
Retention - Behaviour is remembered.
Reproduction - Behaviour is learned and reproduced if within individual’s abilities.
Motivation - Individual wants to imitate behaviour.
There are several factors that may influence decision to replicate:
Consistency - If model’s behaviour is consistent.
Identification - Tendency to imitate similar models.
Liking model - Warmer/friendlier models tend to be imitated rather than cold/uncaring models.
Self efficacy - One’s belief to successfully accomplish a task (ability to replicate).
Cultural origins on Cognition/Cultural Influences on Identity
Culture
Refers to the shared belief and ideals of a group, where a group is characterised by its own cultural norms.
Cultural origins on Cognition
Hofstede’s cultural dimensions
A framework for cultural norms and allows for insight into cultural influence on behaviour.
Cultural origins on Cognition
Individualism
Emphasises on self-autonomy and encourages personal values.
Cultural origins on Cognition
Collectivism
Emphasises the health of one’s extended family and the maintenance of strong kinship networks. The conformation to the expectations of extended groups.
Cultural Influences on Identity
Enculturation
The unconscious process by which people learn the necessary and appropriate skills and norms in the context of their culture.
Socialisation goals align with to be successful, which differs among cultures (humans are social animals).
