Sociocultural Approach to Behaviour

Social Identity Theory

The theory aims to explain the occurrence of conflict and discrimination on the basis of psychological variables (Like belonging to a group) (It is good to have a high self-esteem to have positive social identity).

Out group

Does not belong to your group. Viewed negative

In-group

Your group viewed positive.

Social Categorization

(The perception of being part of different social groups) is sufficient to trigger in-group favoritism and out groups discrimination. This becomes the basis of an individuals social identity.

Social Cognitive Theory

A theory that explains the mechanism of cultural transmission. It tries to explain how social and cultural norms and behaviors are transmitted from one person to generation to another. We learn by observing others

Observational learning

Learning by observing the behavior of others and the consequences of that behavior.

Reciprocal determinism

Persons behavior, person factors (thoughts and beliefs), and the environment all interact and influence each other.

Self-efficacy

An individuals belief in their ability to successfully perform a specific task, which impacts motivation.

Observing

The act of paying attention to others behaviors.

Imitation

The specific act of copying the behavior someone sees.

Modeling

You observe someone, then learn, and then perform the action you learned.

Stereotypes

Preconceived notions about a group of people They are essentially schema that distort the perception of social groups.

Prejudice

Attitudes towards others.

Discrimination

Behavior towards others

Culture

A combination of beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors.

cultural norms

Certain expectations regarding the behavior of individuals belonging to a cultural group.

Enculturation

Process acquires cultural norms. (Enculturation is your dominant culture you might get from your family. Acculturation you gain new culture and keep your old culture still. ) Creates schemas and modeling

Acculturation

The process of internalizing cultural norms of new cultural groups (Moving to a new country and learning a new language)

Cultural Dimensions

Cultural dimensions are a framework/ theory created by Geert Hoftstede that is meant to help us understand or describe the norms of behavior in a certain culture.

Individualism vs Collectivism

A culture prioritizes individual needs and goals or needs of the group.

Masculine vs Feminity

Masculine cultures value competition, achievement, and success, they think being strong and assertive is important.

Feminine cultures believe in caring for others quality of life they think kind and modest is nice.

Uncertainty avoidance index

A society's tolerance for ambiguity (uncertainty).

High- Strict rules and avoid change

Low- Laid back and do not avoid change.

Power distance index

Willingness of people to accept unequal power distraction

High- Allow unequal power

Low- Want equality.

Long-term vs Short-term orientation

Short-term: Quick results and spend money now. Focus on the present,

Long-term: Focus on the future. Value money and long term success. Plan ahead.

Indulgence vs Restraint

Indulgence: Control if their lives and enjoy life

Restraint: Follow norms and strict life.

Integration

(High heritage) (High Identification with new culture.)

A person seeks to learn about the new culture through exploration + interaction while maintaining their heritage culture.

Assimilation

(Low heritage) (High Identification with new culture)

Do not like their heritage culture and retain the new culture instead.

Separation (High heritage) (Low Identification with new culture)

These people do not want to take in the new culture and retain their heritage by removing themselves from the new culture.

Marginalism

(Low heritage) (Low Identification with new culture). Does not identify with any culture. Separate themselves from both.

Globalization

The increasing web connections between people in the world. Globalization may be viewed as acculturation. globalization can help people become global citizens.

Berry (1967)

Aim: Investigate cultural differences in the pressure to conform

Procedure:

He picked two different group of people

• Temne people in Africa (They work together as a group to farm)

• Intuit people in Canada (They hunt alone or in small groups)

  He gave them an easy puzzle:

• A line was shown, and they had to pick which of the five other lines matched it in length

  However, before they answered, he told them “"most people from your tribe chose this wrong answer”

Then he watched to see if they would stick with their own answer or copy what the group supposedly said

Findings:

The Temne people (who live in a sharing, group- focused culture) copied the group more-they conformed.

​The unit people (who live more independently) did not care what the group said- they stayed with their own answer.

How do berry's findings support each topic

Social Identity: Cultural influence on group behavior

Cultural Dimensions: Individualism vs collectivism

Enculturation: Cultural reinforces behavior norms

Acculturation: Cultural conformity under chnage

Stereotypes: Cultural and stereotype transmission. Categorizing cultures and creates generalization.

Banduras et al. (161).

Aim: Investigate whether aggression can be learned simply by observing others

Procedure

This experiment was performed on three groups of UK nursery children. The children were rated according to how aggressive they tended to be, and each group was matched to have the same average aggression rating

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The children in group 1 observed an adult behave aggressively towards a "Bobo doll" - for instance, kicking, hitting and using objects to smash the doll

The children in group 2 observed an adult assemble toys, and group 3 was the control group (they did not observe an adult model)

Afterwards, the children were taken into a room (one at a time) with a bobo doll and their behavior was observed

Findings

Children in group 1 (who had seen the aggressive model) were more likely to behave aggressively towards the bobo doll, imitating the adult model they had observed

Boys were more likely to be aggressive towards the Bobo doll if the adult model they observed was male, rather than female

How does banduras study support each topic?

Social Identity theory: Observational learning of group norms

Social Cognitive theory: Observational learning of aggression

Enculturation: Learning norms through observation

Stereotypes: formation through observation.