Sociocultural Approach Key Terms

Social Identity Theory

Not one personal self, but several social selves that correspond to group membership. According to the theory, we need to understand who we are and know our value in social contexts. This is why we categorize ourselves in terms of group membership.

Salience

Sometimes one of our "social selves" can become more salient = we become more aware of that facet of identity. Social Identity Theory predicts that when one of our social identities becomes salient, it will have an influence on our behaviour.

Tajfel and Turner 3 psychological mechanisms

Social Categorisation

Social Comparison

Source of self-esteem - positive distinctiveness

Social categorisation

Process by which we identify which groups we belong to and which groups we do not.

In-group + out-group

Even when randomly assigned to a group - minimal group paradigm

Social Comparison

Means of justifying group membership. We seek to achieve positive self-esteem by positively comparing our in-group to an out­  group on some valued dimension. In-group heterogeneity vs out-group homogeneity

Source of self-esteem —> positive distinctiveness

Social group is made to appear more positive and valued by using verbal and non-verbal cues. Individuals seek to build and maintain positive distinctiveness for their group which is then used as a  comparison to an outgroup on some dimension ('we are better than they are')

3 strategies in tajfel

Maximum joint profit

Maximum ingroup profit

Maximum positive difference

Minimum Group Paradigm

Being allocated to random groups is all it takes to create in-group

Social Cognitive Theory

Assumes that humans learn behaviour through observation

People learn by watching others (models) and imitating their behaviour

Social Cognitive Theory cognitive factors

ARMS LIC

Attention, Retention, Motivation, Self-efficacy

Liking of the model, Identification with the model, Consistency of the model

Illusory Correlation

When people see a relationship between two variables even when there is none and therefore overestimate a link between two variables

Co-occurrence of two fairly infrequent situations or events.

Reinforced by confirmation bias - where people seek out/ information that supports the relationship

Sterotype Threat

Idea that people are at risk/feel at risk of conforming to stereotypes about themselves.

Stereotype itself (don’t necessarily have to believe it) pressures a negative performance = self-fulfilling prophecy

Spotlight anxiety

Fear of failure turned on by stereotype threat. Results in anxiety and stress, often causing people to underperform. This limits students’ educational prospects

Culture

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

Comprised of aspects like customs, certain ideologies, languages, beliefs and more = large determinants of our actions and thoughts.

Cultural Norms

A set of rules based on socially or culturally shared beliefs of how an individual ought to behave to be accepted within that group. Norms regulate behaviour within a group.

Cultural schemas

Internalised mental frameworks that influence thinking, emotions, and behaviour.

Developed through daily interactions and by the feedback from others in the group.

Cultural Dimensions

Values that distinguishes countries’ cultures from each other = Hofstede dimensions of national culture.

• Individualism vs Collectivism

• Long-Term Orientation

• Power distance

• Masculinity vs femininity

• Uncertainty Avoidance

• Indulgence vs Restraint

Enculturation

Lifelong process of learning one’s native culture that begins at birth and is primarily subconscious.

We learn cultural norms by interacting with the “gatekeepers of society” - parents, media, school = the transmission of knowledge, values, and beliefs

Direct teaching = gatekeepers of society tell you how you are meant to act

Indirect teaching = observational learning, potentially through media

Acculturation

Adapting to a new culture when exposed to it.

Occurs consciously, adopting norms and behaviour of another culture

Acculturation Gaps

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

Acculturative Stress

Reduction in the mental health and well-being of ethnic minorities that occurs during the process of adapting to a new culture. Culture shock

Berry’s Acculturation Modes

Personal battle between enculturation (maintaining one’s cultural identity) and acculturation (adapting to another culture in order to it in)

Berry suggested 4 acculturation strategies - Integration, separation, assimilation, marginalisation

Berry's Acculturation Modes		Positive Relationship with New Culture?
		Yes	No
Important to Maintain Original Culture?	Yes	INTEGRATION	SEPARATION
	No	ASSIMILATION	MARGINALISATION