Social Identity Theory and Cultural Influences

This set of flashcards covers key concepts related to Social Identity Theory, cultural influences, and research methods in psychology to aid understanding and memory for exam preparation.

Social Identity Theory (SIT)

A theory explaining how individuals categorize themselves into in-groups and out-groups based on group membership.

In-group

A social group to which an individual perceives themselves as belonging.

Out-group

A social group to which an individual does not perceive themselves as belonging.

Stereotype

An oversimplified and fixed idea about a group of people that can lead to generalizations.

Stereotype Threat

A situational phenomenon where an individual feels at risk of confirming a negative stereotype about their social group.

Enculturation

The process by which individuals adopt the norms and values of their culture, usually through observation or direct tuition.

Acculturation

The process by which individuals internalize the norms and behaviors of a new culture.

Vicarious Reinforcement

Learning that occurs through observing the rewards or punishments received by another.

High Ecological Validity

The extent to which the findings of a study can be generalized to real-world settings.

Cross-Cultural Validity

The degree to which research findings can be generalized across different cultures.

Assimilation

The process of adopting the new culture while rejecting one's original culture.

Individualism-Collectivism

Cultural dimension explaining the extent to which individuals prioritize personal goals (individualism) or group goals (collectivism).

Causality

The relationship between cause and effect, where one event is understood to be a direct result of another.

Sampling Bias

A bias that occurs when the sample is not representative of the population from which it is drawn.

Social Desirability Bias

The tendency of participants to provide socially acceptable responses, which may not reflect their true beliefs or behaviors.

Cultural Groups

Collections of individuals who share common values, beliefs, and behaviors influenced by their culture.

Naturalistic Observation

A research method where subjects are observed in their natural environment without manipulation or interference.

Ethics in Research

Standards that govern the conduct of research, including informed consent, confidentiality, and minimizing harm.

Pre-test/Post-test Design

An experimental design that measures participants' responses before and after a treatment or intervention.

Social Norms

Expected standards of behavior within a specific group or society.