Psych SAUB

Key terms

Social identity theory

A theory which explains how individuals define themselves based on group memberships, impacting their behavior and interactions. This theory places emphasis on group perception and the formation of in-groups and out-groups, highlighting how this affects self-esteem and social dynamics.

Social categorisation

The process by which individuals classify themselves and others into different social groups based on characteristics such as race, gender, or nationality. This classification influences personal identity and social interactions.

Social identification

The process of conforming to the norms and behaviours of one’s in-group. This process can enhance self-esteem and influence social dynamics.

Social comparison

For self esteem to be maintained, our group must compare favorable to other groups.

In-group bias

Tendency to give preferential treatment to those in our own group. This can happen even in groups based on arbitrary values.

Out-group homogeneity bias

A tendency to assume members of a group are similar, in contrast to the perceived diversity of ones own group.

ARRRM

attention retention reproduction reinforcement motivation

Vicarious reinforcement

When a learner observes a model being awarded for a behaviour, they are more likely to partake in that behaviour.

Factors influencing imitation

• whether model is a part of our in group

• whether the reward received is wanted

• characterisitics (age, gender, status)

Stereotypes

A cognitive generalisation about the qualities and characteristics of the members of a group. Steriotypes are simply perceptions and judgements, but they are often exaggerated, negative, and resistant to change.

Conformation bias

Tendency to pay more attention to information that aligns with ones beliefs.

Out-group homogeneity bias

Tendency to assume that members of a group are all the same

Gatekeepers

People in society who influence the development of cultural and social norms

Reconstructive memory

Act of remembering may be influenced by perceptions, imagination, and beliefs.

Schema

Mental representations derived from prior experiences or knowledge. Assist in predicting what to expect based on what has happened before.

Spotlight anxiety

Feeling of anxiety linked to the belief that one is being watched or judged. In this case, spotlight anxiety may be placed upon individuals who are aware or made aware of their stereotype.

Stereotype threat

When people feel themselves at risk of conforming to a stereotype about their social group. Often leads to decrease in task performance.

Culture

A set of common rules that regulate interactions and behaviour in a group, as well as a set of shared values and attitudes in the group.

Cultural norms

Shared expectations, values, and rules that guide behaviour of people within a cultural group. Passed down through vertical transmission.

Cultural dimensions

A continued set of values which members of cultures can generally be grouped, describe differences between group instead of individual.

Ecological fallacy

When a conclusion is made about an individual soley because they are a part of a group.

Individualism vs collectivism

Hofstede’s cultural dimensions: Individualistic focus on individual over group; Collectivist focuses on need of the group and social cooperation.

Enculturation

The process of taking on ones values, ideas, and beliefs. This often begins in early childhood.

Direct tuition

Teaching children how to behave in accordance with social norms by reinforcing ‘appropriate’ behaviour and punishing or discouraging ‘inappropriate’ behaviour

SCT - enculturation

Learn societal behaviours through observation of models and vicarious reinforcement.

Vertical transmission

Passing down of cultural norms through generations.

Participatory learning

Actively taking part in the learning process and applying learning from other situations.

Acculturation

Psychological and behavioural adjustments that occour when individuals who come into contact with others from different cultural backrounds.

Acculturative stress

Anxiety felt when someone tries to assimilate into a new culture

AIMS

Assimilation, integration, marginalisation, separation

Protective factors

conditions which help with acculturative stress from assimilating into a different culture

Risk factors

Conditions or attributes which lead to dealing worse with stressful events.