IB Psych Sociocultural Study Guide

Social Cognitive Theory (SCT)

A theory that explains how people learn behaviors, attitudes, and norms through observation, imitation, and modeling of others.

Salience

The extent to which something stands out or is noticeable in a given context, influencing attention and perception.

Social Identity Theory (SIT)

A theory that explains how individuals derive a sense of identity from group memberships, leading to in-group favoritism and out-group discrimination.

Acculturation

The process by which individuals adopt the cultural traits or social patterns of another group.

Enculturation

The process of learning and adopting the norms, values, and behaviors of one’s own culture.

Acculturative Stress

Psychological distress resulting from difficulties in adapting to a new culture.

Assimilation

When an individual fully adopts the culture of the dominant group, often losing aspects of their original culture.

Marginalization

When an individual loses connection to both their original and new culture, leading to isolation.

Separation

When an individual maintains their original culture and rejects the new culture.

Integration

When an individual maintains their original culture while also adopting aspects of the new culture.

Cultural Dimensions

Theoretical frameworks that describe differences in cultural values and behaviors across societies.

Individualism

A cultural value that emphasizes independence, self-reliance, and personal achievement.

Collectivism

A cultural value that prioritizes group cohesion, social harmony, and collective goals over individual ones.

What is the primary focus of Social Identity Theory (SIT)?

SIT focuses on group identity and how social categorization influences behavior, leading to in-group favoritism and out-group discrimination.

What is the process of Enculturation?

The process of internalizing cultural norms through direct teaching, observational learning, and participation in cultural practices.

What are some factors that influence Acculturative Stress?

Language barriers, discrimination, socioeconomic status, social support, and personal coping strategies.

What does CIC stand for in Social Identity Theory?

CIC stands for Categorization, Identification, Comparison, which influences in-group bias and out-group homogeneity.

What are the key components of Social Cognitive Theory (SCT)?

Attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation.

What was Bandura's Bobo doll experiment about?

A demonstration of observational learning and aggression modeling.

What does the term 'In-group Bias' refer to?

Favoring members of one’s own group over outsiders.

What is the role of the researcher Hofstede in cultural studies?

Hofstede developed cultural dimensions theory, analyzing individualism vs. collectivism and power distance.