Social Psychology:
Social Psychology is my favorite unit of psychology because it examines human behavior in the context of other humans, something we can all relate to!
As humans are social creatures and we love in groups, understanding the effects of others (society, friends, family, culture) on our own behaviour and cognition is crucial. Literature is designed to explore the human experience, so we’re going to explore psychology through literature!
The Lottery by Shirley Jackson
The Simplica Girl Diaries by George Saunders
After being assigned to and reading your story, add some comments in response to the questions on our PADLET linked
Social and Cultural Psychology
Our Provocation for Social Psych was a short story, but we will also watch the “documentary” THE PUSH….use this Questioning Document linked here to write down questions as you watch and as you complete the film!
Learning Outcomes:
- Study social identity theory (know term: social groups)
- Tajfel is the creator of Social identity theory and a great primer for it is here:
- http://www.simplypsychology.org/social-identity-theory.html
- Good article on the importance of belonging:
- http://edition.cnn.com/2012/06/01/health/enayati-importance-of-belonging/
Conformity as a concept and phenomenon is directly related to, and can be understood through, social identity theory. Use this learning helper to understand this relationship: Analyzing Conformity
- Social cognitive theory: Study social cognitive theory. Examples of social cognitive theory include:
- self-efficacy
- reciprocal determinism
- socialization
- social/cultural learning.
- Explain the formation of stereotypes and their effects on behavior :
- Study one example of the development and effect of stereotypes.
- Culture and its influence on behaviour and cognition:
- Study one example of culture and its influence on behaviour and cognition
- Cultural dimensions:
- Study one cultural dimension
- Enculturation:
- Study one effect enculturation has on human cognition and behaviour
- Norms
- Study one effect enculturation has on human cognition and behaviour
- Acculturation:
- Study one effect acculturation has on human cognition and behaviour
- Assimilation/assimilate
- Study one effect acculturation has on human cognition and behaviour
**To address learning outcome #3 above, I want you to engage in a comparative analysis of Stereotype formation theories. Use the reference linked below in conjunction with the word document titled, “Stereotype formation Evaluated”
Stereotype Formation Evaluated
Social Norms
- Explain social cognitive theory, making reference to two relevant studies
- Ingenious study on social cognitive theory augmenting its reach
- http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v415/n6873/full/415755a.html
- They Key study however, is the 1963 “bobo Doll” experiment by Alburt Bandura of Stanford.
- And HERE is where mirror neurons really come into play…read about them below:
- http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/10/science/10mirr.html?pagewanted=all&_r=2&
- Ingenious study on social cognitive theory augmenting its reach
- Evaluate research on conformity to group norms
- Discuss factors influencing conformity
Cultural Norms
-
Define the terms culture and cultural norms
- Examine the role of two cultural dimensions on behaviour
This Learning Helper will facilitate your understanding of the above learning outcomes: Understanding Culture
Emic and Etic
- Use examples to explain the emic and etic concepts
Research Methods and SocioCultural
- Discuss how and why particular research methods are used at the sociocultural level of analysis
- Discuss ethical considerations related to research at the sociocultural level of analysis