IB Psych Paper 1 Sociocultural Approach Studies

Bandura, Ross, & Ross (1963)

Imitation of Aggression from Models Presented in Television and Film

Bandura, Ross, & Ross Aim

To investigate whether exposure to aggressive behavior on television or film would increase the likelihood of imitative aggression in children.

The study extended Bandura's earlier (1961) Bobo doll experiments by testing the influence of media-based models on aggressive behavior.

Bandura, Ross, & Ross Participants

96 children (48 boys and 48 girls), aged 3-6 years, from Stanford University Nursery School

The children were matched for aggression levels based on teacher and parent ratings, then randomly assigned to experimental groups

Bandura, Ross, & Ross Methodology

Design: Laboratory experiment with independent measures

Procedure:

Children were randomly assigned to one of four groups:

-Live Aggressive Model: Child watched an adult physically and verbally attack a Bobo doll in the same room

-Filmed Aggressive Model: Child watched a film of the same adult model attacking the Bobo doll

-Cartoon Aggressive Model: Child watched a fantasy cartoon version of the adult model performing identical aggressive acts

-Control Group: Child saw no aggression and played quietly

After viewing, all children were placed in a room with:

-A Bobo doll

-Aggressive toys (mallets, dart guns)

-Non-aggressive toys (dolls, crayons)

Their behavior was observed for 20 minutes through a one-way mirror, and instances of physical and verbal aggression were recorded

Bandura, Ross, & Ross Results

Children in all three aggressive model conditions (live, filmed, cartoon) showed significantly more aggression than the control group

The film and cartoon groups imitated aggression nearly as much as the live model group

Boys showed more physical aggression than girls, especially when the model was male

Both boys and girls were more likely to imitate same-sex models

Verbal aggression was more similar across genders

Bandura, Ross, & Ross Significance

Provided strong evidence that children imitate aggression seen in media, not just from live models

Demonstrated the power of observational learning (social learning theory), especially via vicarious reinforcement

Suggested that exposure to televised violence can contribute to real-life aggressive behavior

Influential in debates about media violence, television regulation, and educational programming

Bandura, Ross, & Ross Ethical Considerations

Informed consent was obtained from parents

The study involved exposure to aggressive behavior, which may have temporarily increased aggression or distress in children

The children were not debriefed in a way that explained that the aggressive behavior was not acceptable—this would be considered a limitation by modern ethical standards

The procedure was approved at the time but would raise ethical concerns today, particularly around modeling harmful behavior in young children

Berry (1967)

Conformity and Cultural Dimensions

Berry Aim

To investigate how conformity levels differ between individuals from individualistic versus collectivistic cultures, and to examine whether cultural norms related to social structure and subsistence (e.g., hunting vs. agriculture) influence conformist behavior.

Berry Participants

Three cultural groups were studied:

-Temne people of Sierra Leone (collectivist, agricultural society)

-Inuit people of Canada (individualist, hunting/fishing society)

-Scots (urban and rural) as a reference/control group

Participants were adults and adolescents, matched for age and education level within each group

Berry Methodology

Design: Quasi-experimental, cross-cultural comparison

Procedure:

Participants were given a modified version of the Asch conformity task:

-They were shown a series of lines and asked to match the target line to one of several comparison lines

-On critical trials, a false group consensus was presented (suggesting the wrong answer)

-The number of times a participant conformed to the incorrect majority was recorded

The task was conducted individually and nonverbally, using visual cues and instructions translated into native languages to minimize linguistic and cultural bias

Berry Results

Temne participants (from a collectivist, agrarian culture) showed significantly higher levels of conformity

Inuit participants (from an individualist, subsistence hunting culture) showed low levels of conformity

Scots participants showed intermediate levels, with urban Scots showing more conformity than rural Scots

Berry Significance

Demonstrated that conformity is influenced by cultural context:

-Collectivist societies emphasize group harmony and compliance with norms

-Individualist societies value self-reliance and independence, leading to less conformity

Provided support for Hofstede’s dimensions of culture, especially the individualism–collectivism dimension

Influential in the development of cross-cultural psychology and understanding how sociocultural environments shape cognitive processes like decision-making and conformity

Berry Ethical Considerations

Informed consent was obtained in culturally appropriate ways

The task was non-invasive and posed no psychological or physical risk

Care was taken to translate instructions and stimuli appropriately for each group

Cultural sensitivity was maintained throughout data collection, and researchers minimized potential bias by training local interpreters and research assistants

Lyons-Padilla et al. (2015)

Belonging Nowhere: Marginalization & Radicalization Risk Among Muslim Immigrants

Lyons-Padilla et al. Aim

To examine how acculturation experiences, particularly marginalization and discrimination, influence the psychological well-being of Muslim immigrants in the United States and their susceptibility to radicalization.

The study aimed to identify whether feelings of cultural exclusion and significance loss contribute to support for extremist ideologies.

Lyons-Padilla et al. Participants

198 Muslim immigrants residing in the United States.

Participants included both first- and second-generation immigrants.

Demographics such as age, gender, and socioeconomic status were collected to control for potential confounding variables

Lyons-Padilla et al. Methodology

Design: Correlational study using self-report surveys.

Procedure:

Participants completed questionnaires assessing:

-Acculturation strategies: Levels of integration, assimilation, separation, and marginalization.

-Perceived discrimination: Experiences of bias and exclusion in daily life.

-Significance loss: Feelings of purposelessness and lack of meaning.

-Support for radicalism: Sympathy towards extremist groups and ideologies.

Data were analyzed to identify correlations between these variables

Lyons-Padilla et al. Results

Marginalization was positively correlated with significance loss, indicating that individuals who felt disconnected from both their heritage and host cultures experienced greater feelings of insignificance.

Perceived discrimination intensified the relationship between marginalization and significance loss.

Significance loss was associated with increased support for radicalism, suggesting that individuals lacking a sense of purpose may be more susceptible to extremist ideologies.

Conversely, integration into both cultures was linked to lower levels of significance loss and reduced support for radicalism.

Lyons-Padilla et al. Significance

The study highlights the psychological mechanisms through which cultural exclusion and discrimination can lead to radicalization.

Findings suggest that promoting cultural integration and addressing discriminatory practices may reduce the appeal of extremist ideologies among marginalized individuals.

The research contributes to the understanding of acculturation processes and their impact on mental health and social cohesion.​

Lyons-Padilla et al. Ethical Considerations

Informed consent was obtained from all participants, ensuring they were aware of the study's purpose and their rights.

Surveys were conducted anonymously to protect participants' identities and encourage honest responses.

Participants were provided with debriefing information and resources for psychological support if needed.

The study was reviewed and approved by an institutional review board (IRB) to ensure ethical compliance.

Park & Rothbart (1982)

Out-Group Homogeneity and Stereotype Formation

Park & Rothbart Aim

To investigate whether individuals perceive members of their own group (in-group) as more diverse than members of other groups (out-groups), thereby providing evidence for the out-group homogeneity effect and exploring its role in stereotype formation.

Park & Rothbart Participants

90 female college students from the University of Oregon

Divided equally among three sororities (approximately 30 members from each)

Park & Rothbart Methodology

Design: Quasi-experimental, cross-sectional survey

Procedure:

Participants completed a questionnaire evaluating their own sorority (in-group) and the other two sororities (out-groups) on ten attributes, including:

-Studiousness

-Attractiveness

-Partying behavior

-Sexual activity

-Economic status

-Cohesiveness

-Philanthropy

-Fashion sense

-Frequency of being asked out

-Strictness of house rules

Ratings were made on a 7-point Likert scale (0 = not at all characteristic; 7 = extremely characteristic)

Participants also assessed the perceived similarity among members within each sorority on a 9-point scale (0 = extremely dissimilar; 9 = extremely similar)

Park & Rothbart Results

Out-Group Homogeneity Effect:

-Participants consistently rated members of their own sorority as more diverse than members of the other sororities

-This indicates a perception that out-group members are more similar to each other, supporting the out-group homogeneity effect

In-Group Bias (Ethnocentrism):

-Participants rated their own sorority more favorably on positive attributes (e.g., studiousness, attractiveness)

-For negative attributes (e.g., partying, sexual activity), participants rated their own sorority less characteristic compared to out-groups

-This demonstrates in-group favoritism and supports social identity theory, suggesting that individuals enhance their self-esteem by viewing their in-group positively

Park & Rothbart Significance

Provides empirical support for the out-group homogeneity effect, illustrating how individuals perceive out-group members as more similar than in-group members

Highlights the role of social categorization in stereotype formation, as perceiving out-group members as homogeneous facilitates the creation of generalized beliefs

Supports social identity theory, showing that individuals favor their in-group over out-groups to maintain a positive social identity

Offers insights into the cognitive processes underlying prejudice and discrimination, emphasizing the need to address perceived group differences in intergroup relations

Park & Rothbart Ethical Considerations

Informed consent was obtained from all participants

The study involved minimal risk, as it consisted of standard questionnaire assessments

Confidentiality of participants' responses was maintained

The research was conducted in accordance with ethical guidelines for psychological research

Torres et al. (2012)

Discrimination, Acculturation, Acculturative Stress, and Latino Psychological Distress

Torres et al. Aim

To examine how perceived discrimination impacts psychological distress among Latino adults in the United States, and to investigate whether acculturative stress mediates this relationship.

Additionally, the study aimed to determine if acculturation orientations (Anglo and Latino behavioral orientations) moderate the link between perceived discrimination and acculturative stress

Torres et al. Participants

669 Latino adults residing in a Midwestern U.S. city.

Participants included both U.S.-born and foreign-born individuals.

The sample comprised diverse Latino backgrounds, including Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, and Central/South American origins

Torres et al. Methodology

Design: Cross-sectional survey study.

Procedure:

Participants completed validated questionnaires measuring:

-Perceived discrimination: Experiences of unfair treatment based on ethnicity.

-Acculturative stress: Stress associated with adapting to a new culture.

-Psychological distress: Symptoms of depression and anxiety.

-Acculturation orientations: Levels of engagement with Anglo (mainstream U.S.) and Latino cultures.

Statistical analyses, including moderated mediation models, were conducted to explore the relationships among these variables.​

Torres et al. Results

Perceived discrimination was positively associated with acculturative stress, which in turn was linked to increased psychological distress.

Acculturative stress served as a mediator between perceived discrimination and psychological distress.

Anglo behavioral orientation moderated the relationship between perceived discrimination and acculturative stress:

Individuals with low Anglo orientation experienced higher acculturative stress in response to discrimination.

Latino behavioral orientation did not significantly moderate this relationship

Torres et al Significance

The study highlights the psychological impact of discrimination on Latino individuals, emphasizing the role of acculturative stress as a key mechanism.

Findings suggest that engagement with the mainstream culture (Anglo orientation) may buffer the negative effects of discrimination.

The research informs interventions aimed at reducing psychological distress by addressing acculturative stress and promoting adaptive acculturation strategies.​

Torres et al. Ethical Considerations

Informed consent was obtained from all participants.

Participants' confidentiality and anonymity were maintained throughout the study.

The study was approved by an Institutional Review Board (IRB), ensuring adherence to ethical research standards.