Sociocultural approaches

Question 1

What are the psychological mechanisms of Social Identity Theory?

Answer 1

Social categorization - forms in-groups and out-groups -> within it there is category accentuation (increases perceived variability between in and out groups)
Social identification - conforms/adapts to the behaviours and values of the group
Social comparison - achieves self-esteem by comparison with members of out-group -> positive distinctiveness: sees traits of one’s group as positive and superior, raising self esteem

Question 2

What study supports Social Identity Theory?

Answer 2

Tajfel – Klee & Kandinsky

Minimal Group Paradigm showed in-group favoritism even when groups were randomly assigned.

Question 3

Describe the Tajfel study

Answer 3

Supported the Social Identity Theory
Klee & Kandinsky

Point allocation system 1: Increases for one team member decrease for the other.

Point allocation system 2: Higher points for in-group members, lower for out-group members.

Results: Boys prioritized maximizing the in-group vs. out-group difference, even at their own expense. -> prior conflict was not required for discrimination to occur

Question 4

What are the four key processes of Social Cognitive Theory?

Answer 4

Attention
Retention
Motivation - vicarious positive reinforcment (same reward)
Potential - self efficacy must be higher (the belief we can reproduce the behavior observed)

Question 5

What study supports Social Cognitive Theory?

Answer 5

Bandura – Bobo doll experiment

Showed children imitated aggressive behavior from adults.

Question 6

Describe the Bandura study

Answer 6

To find out if children imitate aggressive behaviour through observational learning
6 experimental conditions

Results: boys showed more physical aggression, girls more verbal
Both boys and girls more likely to imitate physical aggression from male role model but both sexes tended to imitate the same-sex models for verbal aggression

Demonstrated that aggression can be vicariously reinforced

Question 7

Illusory correlation

Answer 7

Under SCT Bandura
When people perceieve correlation between 2 variables when no actual relationship between the variables exist

This results in confirmation bias that can affect one’s judgement and perception of an individual

Question 8

Confirmation bias

Answer 8

When we tend to notice/seek out or remember evidence that supports what we already believe
- We overlook information that contradicts what we already believe

This makes stereotypes resistant to change

Question 9

What are stereotypes?

Answer 9

A cognitive representation of a social group that helps simplify the social world and allow assumptions to be made about a person based on limited information
(Oversimplified and generalized beliefs about a group of people.)

A type of scheme (previous knowledge/experience)

Question 10

What study supports the developments of stereotypes?

Answer 10

Hamilton & Gifford
-> Aimed to investigate the illusory correlation of group size and negative behaviour

Question 12

What study supports stereotypes?

Answer 12

Steele & Aronson (1995) – Found stereotype threat affected African American students’ test performance.

Question 14

Reciprocal determinsim

Answer 14

Bandura

Individuals influenced by the environment also influence the environment themselves -> results in new cultural and societal norms