Sociocultural approach

• Social Cognitive Theory


  Theory that explains how behavior is learned through observation of others
• Social Cognitive Theory


  1. Attention

  2. Retention

  3. Motor reproduction

  4. Reinforcement
• Social Cognitive Theory was originally called social learning theory
• Behavior affects and is affected by internal and external factors
• Bandura, Ross & Ross (1961) investigated if social behaviors can be learned through observation
• Bandura, Ross & Ross (1961) study

  • 3 different conditions: child observed adult being aggressive, child observed adult being calm, control group did not observe
• Observing aggressive behavior led to increased aggressive actions in the child
• Social Identity Theory


  The way someone thinks about themselves and evaluates themselves in relation to groups
• Social Identity Theory concepts


  • Social categorization
  • Self-esteem hypothesis
  • In-group favoritism
• Study by Brewer & Rothbart investigated in-group bias
• The study showed in-group bias, where participants rated their own group more positively and the other groups more negatively
• Stereotype


  Generalization about a group of people
• Stereotype formation


  • Out-group effect
  • Social schemas
  • Confirmation bias
• Study by Park & Rothbart demonstrates how stereotypes are formed
• Study shows ethnocentrism - comparing and evaluating other cultures based on your own cultural norms
• Stereotypes can lead to prejudice and discrimination, and influence how others are treated
• Stereotype Threat


  Negative stereotypes creating anxiety that affects performance
• Stereotype Boost


  Positive stereotypes creating confidence that affects performance
• Study by Cohen et al. (1996) investigated the effect of cultural values on testosterone levels
• Participants from the southern US showed a 12% increase in testosterone after a social threat, compared to a 4% increase for northern US participants
• Individualism vs Collectivism


  Cultural dimension of how much individuals value their own goals vs the goals of the group
• Study by Bond & Smith (1996) found high individualism cultures had low conformity, while high collectivism cultures had high conformity
• Enculturation


  The process by which people learn the behaviors, beliefs and values of a particular culture
• Enculturation occurs through education, parents, peers and social influences
• Study by Trainor et al. (2012) found active participation in music class promoted musical enculturation in babies
• Acculturation


  The process of adapting to a new culture
• Acculturation strategies


  • Assimilation
  • Separation
  • Integration
  • Marginalization
• Study by Lyons-Padilla et al. (2015) found marginalized immigrants were more likely to join extremist groups