Sociocultural Approach

Social identity theory

Tajfel et al. Aim: investigate the effect of SIT on preferences for in-group and out-group (maximum joint profit, maximum in-group profit, maximum differences) Procedure: Teenage boys randomly allocated to two groups based on Klee and Kandinsky paintings Each boy rated one boy of other group and one of same group If rate in-group high number, out-group would get higher number If rate in-group mid number, out-group would get same number If rate in-group low number, out-group would get lower number Results: more boys willing to do third option (willing to give in-group low number to give out-group lower number)

Abrams et al. Aim: test the role of SIT in conformity Procedure: replication of Asch with participants as psychology students and confederates as in-group (psychology dept) or out-group (history dept) Results: more conformity for in-group

Social cognitive theory

Bandura, Ross, and Ross Aim: test whether children learned from models in media Procedure: either showed a group of children a cartoon where a cat beat a Bobo doll with a hammer or with no aggressive behavior, and then children went into a room with a Bobo doll Results: children who watched violent cartoon were more likely to act aggressively to Bobo dolls

Charlton et al. Aim: test the effects of television on aggression in children in St. Helena Procedure: [observation] set up cameras in primary playgrounds when television was first introduced on St. Helena Results: no increase in aggression or antisocial behavior in children (even after five years)

Stereotyping

Steele and Aronson Aim: investigate effect of stereotype threat on performance Procedure: Gave a verbal test to African-American and white American participants Half of each group was told it was a test of verbal abilities Other half was told it was not a test of abilities Results: African-American participants did much worse when told it was a test of verbal abilities due to spotlight anxiety

Allport and Postman Aim: investigate the effect of stereotyping on recall Procedure: showed participants a drawing of a white man holding a razor and threatening a black man on the subway, participants then asked to describe the drawing to another participant through serial reproduction Results: in over half, the story was retold so that roles were switched

Cultural dimensions and cognition

Berry Aim: test the role of individualism vs collectivism in conformity Procedure: Participants from Temne culture of Sierra Leone (collectivistic) or Inuit from Baffin Island (individualistic), and Scots as reference (middle) Replication of Asch (some participants told that most of people from their culture would pick the wrong answer) Results: more conformity from Temne and less from Inuit relative to Scots

Kulkofsky et al. Aim: test the role of individualism vs collectivism in flashbulb memories Procedure: participants from five countries (including China and USA), asked to recall as many memories of public events from their lifetime and asked about this memory (where they learned of it, what time, what they were doing, how personally important) Results: in collectivistic cultures like China, personal importance and intensity of emotion played less of a role in predicting flashbulb memories

Enculturation

Odden and Rochat Aim: investigate the role of SCT in enculturation Procedure: [observation] longitudinal observation and interviews of children in Samoa, where there is very high power-distance index and parents do not teach their children fishing directly Results: Children observed their parents fishing and experimented on their own Children learned social rules (hierarchy) from observation

Fagot Aim: test the role of enculturation in the development of gender norms Procedure [naturalistic observation] of toddlers and parents in their homes Results: parents reacted more favorably to the child if the child engaged in gender-appropriate behavior

Acculturation

Lueck and Wilson Aim: investigate the variables that predict acculturative stress Procedure: semi-structured interviews with Asian immigrants and Asian Americans to measure variables and level of acculturative stress Results: Bilingual language preference is a high predictor of low acculturative stress Preference for speaking English only is a high predictor of high acculturative stress Negative treatment slightly contributed to high acculturative stress Lower acculturative stress among people who were satisfied with economic opportunities of US

Wang et al. Aim: test for immigrant paradox Procedure: gave online survey about relationship with Cuban or US culture and psychological functioning (depression, anxiety, self-esteem) to Cuban immigrants and US students Results: biculturalism (integration on BAM) was linked with more favorable psychological functioning, contradicting immigrant paradox because this study is bidimensional (looks at two cultures)

Social identity theory

Argues that a person has not just one ‘personal self’, but rather several social selves that correspond to group membership.

Social cognitive learning theory

Assumes that humans learn behavior through observational learning (by watching models and imitating their behavior).

Stereotype

A social perception of an individual in terms of group membership or physical attributes; a generalization that is made about a group and then attributed to members of that group.

Spotlight anxiety

Results from stereotype threat, causing emotional distress and pressure that can undermine performance.

Cultural dimensions

How the values of a society affect behavior.

Individualism

Uniqueness is valued, speaking one’s mind is important, self is defined by individual achievement, freedom is valued.

Collectivism

Social harmony is valued, modesty is important, self is defined by group membership, common fate is valued.

Enculturation

The learning and maintenance of the behaviors and norms of our own culture.

Acculturation

When people move into another culture and begin to adopt the norms and behaviors of the majority culture.

Berry’s acculturation model

Acculturative stress

The psychological, somatic, and social difficulties that accompany acculturation, often resulting in anxiety or depression.

Immigrant paradox

Greater degrees of acculturation are associated with problematic health outcomes.

Power-distance index

The extent to which a culture respects authority and status.