Sociocultural+principles

=Principles=


 * Human beings are social animals and we have a basic need to belong **
 * The individual is affected by being part of a group
 * The group is affected by the individual

This can be illustrated through
 * 1) Social Identity theory
 * 2) The cultural aspects of conformity

**Social Identity theory** Social Identity theory argues that we have not just one “personal self,” but rather several selves that correspond to different group memberships. There are three mechanisms that underlie social identity theory: social categorization, social comparison, and internalization of the social identity as a source of self-esteem.
 * Theory devised by Henry Tajfel
 * The key assumption of this theory is that we try to improve our **self-image** (the way we see ourselves and how we want others to see us) as part of __**improving or enhancing our self-esteem**__
 * We work on building our **self-esteem** by focusing on activities that are personal achievements, or by joining groups that we think are successful in some way
 * So, we actually **categorize** ourselves socially – we perceive people as being in groups
 * The group we belong to is an __**in-group**__, everyone else is seen as being part of an __**out-group**__
 * our behavior in these groups is geared towards enhancing our self-esteem
 * we feel better when our connection to our in-group is stronger (in-group favoritism - eg. positive comments; outgroup discrimination eg. negative comments, hostile actions etc)

**STUDY 1** Tajfel et. al. – The Kandinsky Klee study (Crane, p. 107) //Used the minimal group paradigm - a technique where in-groups and out-groups are determined in an arbitrary fashion (eg. coin toss). Group members do not meet and do not know who else is in the group. // **Key findings:** assignment of points indicated in-group favoritism

[|And this site for details if you can only use ONE study (the SECOND experiment)] //**You MUST scroll down to the second experiment (aesthetic preference) **//

<span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12.222222328186035px;">**STUDY 2** <span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12.222222328186035px;">Sherif – The Robbers’ Cave experiment [|An outline of the study] [|An evaluation of the study]

<span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12.222222328186035px;">We have a collective/social self, not just an individual identity
 * Humans have a social self **

<span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12.222222328186035px;">This assumption can be illustrated through
 * 1) <span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12.222222328186035px;">studies on cultural dimensions
 * 2) <span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12.222222328186035px;">conformity to group norms
 * 3) <span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12.222222328186035px;">how social representations contribute to social identities

<span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12.222222328186035px;">When discussing this, focus on explaining group identities


 * Culture influences behavior **


 * Make sure you can define culture (at least one sentence)**
 * In discussing this principle, you have so many areas and studies to choose from**

(choose ONE from the list below that you are comfortable with)
 * Cultural aspects of conformity (one aspect + one study)
 * Hofstede’s research on cultural dimensions (1 dimension + 1 study)
 * Cultural explanations for the formation and maintenance of relationships (1 explanation plus 1 study)
 * Cultural considerations of diagnosis in abnormal psychology (1 consideration + 1 study)