sociocultural - definitions ERQ TEST

social identity theory

argues that a person has not just one “personal self” but rather several social selves that correspond to group membership.

social categorization

how humans see themselves as part of a group and automatically perceive in-groups and out-groups

social identification

how people may pay more attention to their in-group and adopt their values, attitudes, and behaviors

social comparison

how humans can view their own social identity as superior to others, a concept known as positive distinctiveness, which leads to in-group favoritism. People can also view their out-groups as less superior and all the same, a concept known as out-group homogeneity. Out-group homogeneity can lead to out-group discrimination

salience

they hold more emotional value and have the greatest impact on one’s self-concept

social cognitive theory

argues that people can learn through imitation and modeling

how SCT learning be achived

direct or vicarious reinforcement

SCT necessary conditions

attention to behavior, retention of behavior, motivation to do behavior, and the potential that the behavior can be done

The potential to learn can be enhanced if:

the model’s behavior is consistent and stands out, if the model is liked, respected, and similar to the observer, and if the model’s behavior is reinforced

reciprocal determinism

the influence of behavior, the environment, and personal and cognitive traits are all bi-directional in affecting one’s ability to learn through imitation and modeling

stereotype

a cognitive representation of a social group. They involve a schema, which is a cognitive framework or concept that helps people organize and interpret information.

stereotypes are…

based on limited information and assumptions, often leading to false predictions.
usually acquired indirectly from other people and social norms
tend to be very general and heuristic
prone to confirmation bias.

2 ways that stereotypes are formed

SIT and illusory correlation

illusory correlation

Illusory correlation is defined as people's tendency to overestimate relationships between two groups due to existing stereotypes (expectancy-based) or when distinctive and unusual information is presented (distinctive based)

how stereotypes cause memory distortion

Schema can affect which types of information humans notice and remember. Information that is consistent with schema will be noticed while information inconsistent with schema can be overlooked

stereotype threat

due to one’s stereotype, one may falsely experience spotlight anxiety. This leads to a self-fufulling prophecy as the fear of underperforming because of such stereotype leads to real underperformance. (eg woman in a male math class)

true experiment

a study that takes place in a highly controlled environment, such as a laboratory.
The researcher tests a hypothesis by manipulating an independent variable and measuring a dependent variable.
Participants are randomly allocated to each condition of the experiment and the procedures are highly standardized to ensure reliability.
valuable because it can establish cause-and-effect relationships by controlling extraneous variables.

observation

 a qualitative research method that aims to describe behavior without trying to establish cause-and-effect relationships. Most observations take place in a natural setting and are called naturalistic observations.  However, researchers also perform observations in laboratories.

Participant: researchers immerse themselves
overt: open
covert: secret

culture

a system of shared rules, values, beliefs, and behaviors established by a group to ensure their survival.

It encompasses different levels, with surface aspects that change rapidly, and deep aspects that change slowly. includes both objective elements and subjective elements.

it is dynamic, meaning that is is always changing, responding to shifting environments and circumstances largely due to external influences.

cultural norms

rules that a specific culture uses for stating what is seen as appropriate and inappropriate behaviors, values, beliefs, and attitudes.

explicit or implicit

usually passed from generation to generation cultural transmission and gatekeepers. They give people a sense of order, control, safety, and belonging

a way to study culture: etic vs emic

etic approach involves planning research beforehand, using standardized tests and theories from the researcher’s own culture, and assuming behaviors are universal.

The emic approach involves developing research questions and tests after spending time with the local community, with findings specific to that community.

cultural dimensions: individualism vs collectivsm

IND: A strong personal identity based on an independent self, Ties with others are loose and voluntary, Value freedom, personal time, personal challenge and responsibility

COL: A strong personal identity based on an interdependent self, Interconnections with others are lifelong and mandatory, Value tradition, loyalty, security, harmony

Enculturation

the process whereby humans are socialized into the behaviors, values, attitudes, and beliefs of their own culture.

This process is constant and on-going and reinforces one’s identity as a member of a culture.

enculturation can:

affect people’s behavior, and cognition, and ensures the continuity of cultural practices from generation to generation.

cultural transmission

The process by which culture is passed on to younger members or new members of culture through gatekeepers

can occur vertically (from parent to child), horizontally (from friend or sibling), or obliquely (from others or other social intuitions).

enculturation can be taught

directly, through observation, or through participatory learning

acculturation

The phenomena where groups of individuals of different cultures come into continuous contact, which results in change in the original culture patterns of either or both groups.

Berry's Acculturation Model

assimilation, integration, separation, marginalization

acculturative stress

the psychological, somatic, and social difficulties that may accompany acculturation. Personal battle between enculturation and acculturation

acculturation gaps

generational differences in acculturation and how this leads to conflict within the family

reactive identification

when the individual strengthens their ethnic or racial identity in response to discrimination

protective factors

Factors that make acculturation easier and can decrease levels of acculturation stress