Sociocultural+cognition

Sociocultural, Social norms , Cultural norms (Source: Learning outcomes taken from the //Psychology guide//, International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, First examinations 2011)

toc =**Sociocultural cognition**=

Learning outcomes
Topic 1 Describe the role of situational and dispositional factors in explaining behavior
 * Click on the topics below to look at explanations of EACH of these learning outcomes **

Topic 2 Discuss two errors in attributions

Topic 3 Evaluate social identity theory, making reference to relevant studies

Topic 4 Explain the formation of stereotypes and their effect on behavior

=Introduction=
 * Activity**
 * Thinking about social identity**

=Topic 1= **Situational and Dispositional factors** **Learning outcome: //Describe the role of situational and dispositional factors in explaining behavior//**

**Activity 1 - Attribution theory**
Read Crane and Hannibal pp 103 – 104. Discuss the context of the material with your classmates if it is confusing (Talking about new information always makes it clearer!) In your notes, write down definitions for the following: Add definitions for:
 * Part A:**
 * attribution theory
 * situational factors
 * dispositional factors
 * //attribute//
 * //inference//

Heider, F. (1958) //the psychology of interpersonal relations//, New York: Wiley

Now cross-reference with Law et al (class text) pages 104 - 105 Read Milgram's study of obedience to authority page 106 - 107 of Law et al (class text). We will discuss the significance of this study in class.
 * Part B:**
 * 1) What explanations of behavior will a personality researcher emphasize?
 * 2) What explanations will a social psychologist emphasize?
 * 3) Give the text definition of a trait. To demonstrate your understanding, identify a trait you possess and explain //why// you consider this a trait specific to you?
 * 4) Mischel argued that situational factors were more significant than dispositional factors. Why? What was his evidence?
 * 5) Does Epstein's study (page 105) support Mischel's argument or not? Explain your answer.
 * 6) What evidence argues that an individual's disposition is significant in explaining behavior? Can we ignore situational influences or factors?
 * 7) How does Bandura explain the interaction between situational and dispositional factors?
 * Reading:**

Activity 2: The Actor-Observer Effect
Jones, E. E. and Nisbett, R. E. (1972). The actor and the observer: Divergent perceptions of the causes of the behavior. (In E. E. Jones, D. E. Kanouse, H. H. Kelley, R. E. Nisbett, S. Valins and B. Weiner (eds.), //Attribution: Perceiving the causes of behavior// (pp. 79-94). Morristown, NJ: General Learning Press)
 * Key study**

“//actors tend to attribute the causes of their behavior to stimuli inherent in the situation, while observers tend to attribute behavior to stable dispositions of the actor//” (Jones & Nisbett, 1971, p. 93) Read: [|A quick review of the actor-observer effect]

Class activities on the actor-observer effect
 * Activity**

[|Behavior as seen by the actor and as seen by the observer] (a summary of 3 studies)
 * Your final reading for the lesson**

Read Crane and Hannibal on 'Research methods' pages 102 - 103 Research Methods text
 * Evaluation of Jones and Nisbett's research**

=**Answering this learning outcome**=
 * Learning outcome: //Describe the role of situational and dispositional factors in explaining behavior// **

We can best explain the role of situational and dispositional factors through the use of theories and the explanation of the interaction between situational and dispositional factors. __**Begin with Heider: define attribution theory and situational and dispositional factors**__
 * What is the best way to answer this learning outcome?**
 * Use the explanation originating with Heider (1958) and begin with a definition of attribution theory
 * What are situational factors?
 * What are dispositional factors?

__**Theory 2**__ The context of the actor-observer effect (Jones & Nisbett - 1972) How does this theory explain the role of situational and dispositional factors?
 * NOW CHOOSE - illustrate your explanation above with either the actor-observer effect or the correspondent inference theory**

Support your answer, using the findings of the study in Crane, and in Law et al.

You could also use this: //Alan E Stewart  (2005) found the influence of the Actor-Observer Effect  in a study of 321 car crash survivors. They overwhelmingly attributed their accidents to the behaviour of other drivers (external) while their own driving was considered okay (internal). // **Source**: [|Attribution Biases]

__**Theory 3**__ The correspondent inference theory (Jones and Davis 1965) How does this theory explain the role of situational and dispositional factors?

__**You could also explain the interactive relationship - behavior involves both situational and dispositional factors**__ Use the answers to your questions in Activity 1

=Extension= __**The nature/nurture debate**__ Exploring situational and dispositional factors in the context of violence

=Topics=

Topic 2
Discuss two errors in attributions (for example, fundamental attribution error, illusory correlation, self-serving bias).

Topic 3
Evaluate social identity theory, making reference to relevant studies.

Topic 4
Explain the formation of stereotypes and their effect on behaviour.

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