Class notes IB Psychology SL - Sociocultural Approach
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Course
IB Psychology SL
Institution
Sixth Year / 12th Grade
IB Psychology full notes for sociocultural approach - 2 studies with evaluation for each topic
Topics:
Acculturation
Enculturation
Social cognitive theory
Social identity theory
Stereotypes & Formation & Effect
Cultural dimensions
Social Groups
Cultural groups
Norms
Assimilation/assimi...
Enculturation
Definition: the process by which people learn the necessary and appropriate norms in the context of
their culture- that is, cultural transmission and enculturation are two sides of the same process.
Enculturation is the process whereby individuals learn their group’s culture through experience,
observation, and instruction
Example: when parents pass socio-cultural knowledge to their offspring.
Key Studies
Trainor et. al (2012): active learning as the mechanism of musical enculturation
AMRC Aim - to test the idea that musical enculturation occurs through active learning.
Method - 38 western infants at 6 months old were randomly assigned one of
two conditions: 1) 6 months of active participatory music class 2) 6 months of a
class in which they experienced music passively while playing with toys
DV 1: sensitivity to western tonality measured by examining infants’
preferences to two versions of a sonata my Thomas Atwood, the tonal (original)
and atonal (added accidentals) version
DV 2: social development of the infants measured by a questionnaire given to
their parents
Results – Children in the active class group preferred the tonal version and
children in the passive group didn’t have a preference. The questionnaire found
that infants in the active group showed significantly less distress to limitations,
less distress when confronted with novel stimuli, more smiling and laughter,
and easier soothability by the age of 12 months.
Conclusion – Active music making in a social context promotes musical
enculturation of infants, including their sensitivity to cultural tonality and social
development.
Strengths - Participants were randomly assigned
- The research is quite useful. By knowing the benefits of the active
learning of music, parents may choose to do that with their child to
help their development.
- They assessed 2 different conditions and compared the difference
between the 2 groups
- They standardized the music (control variable) so both groups listened
to the same song.
Weaknesses - Gender isn’t specified
- Generalizability: only western participants, not enough participants
(it’s not a representative sample)
- Reliability: Participants didn’t go through many tests, they only had to
listen to one piece of music. Results could be different for different
songs.
- Doesn’t control any external variables, for example, children could be
exposed to music somewhere outside the class
- Lack of participants and control of external factors could make it
difficult to replicate the findings.
- Questionnaires answered by parents was not the most accurate
, method as parents could either lie or the socially desirability bias could
occur
- There were 2 variables that could have possibly been assessed;
whether the infants were interested in the music of the toy.
- Researcher had to make assumptions because they can’t speak to the
child. There will also be researcher bias/confirmation bias
How does the study Shows enculturation by testing different ways of how infants adapt and become
show the concept? sensitive to music from a specific culture.
Additional
Odden and Rochat (2004): Observational learning as the mechanism of enculturation in some
cultures
AMRC Aim – to investigate the role of observational learning as a mechanism of
children’s enculturation in non-western cultural contexts.
Method – 28 children aged 4-12 and their parents from a rural village in Samoa.
Longitudinal naturalistic observation of children in key contexts of village life;
semi-structured interviews with caretakers, teachers, pastors and chief;
parental belief questionnaires.
*longitudinal study: study that goes on for a long period of time with the same
sample
Results – In school lessons children never asked questions to their teacher as it
was seen disrespectful. Samoan houses aren’t built with walls, so activities of
the household were easy to observe. By the age of 15, children spent a lot of
time doing chores even though parents were never seen explaining or telling
the children to do it. Shows that the children were learning by observing elders.
Children learn the norms and values through observational learning.
Conclusion – Each culture may emphasize a different blend of mechanisms of
enculturation. In the Samoan context observational learning plays a central role
in children’s enculturation.
Strengths - Longitudinal study gives more valid and reliable data. This is because
the researchers spent 20 months in the village, it was a naturalistic
observation, and the researcher could see first-hand how the children
behave.
- Researchers used multiple methods (triangulation) so they were able
to compare the results and check for validity and reliability.
Weaknesses - Not a very representative sample, small number of participants and
only in one village in Samoa.
- Social desirability bias in the answers from the individuals being
interviewed
How does the study Shows enculturation by showing that observational learning is a mechanism of
show the concept? children’s enculturation.
Additional
,Kim and Omizo (2006): Enculturation, acculturation, and identity
AMRC Aim – to examine the relationship between Asian American college students
enculturation and acculturation in relation to the development of identity.
Method –156 Asian American college students aged 18-24. Correlational study.
All variables were measured through psychometrically validated
questionnaires. Enculturation was used as engaging in Asian American cultural
behaviors, acculturation was used to engage in European American cultural
behaviors.
Results – Acculturation and enculturation scores did not significantly correlate.
They were positively related to participants perception that they are good and
trustworthy members of their cultural group. Enculturation was associated with
increased positive feelings towards the Asian American social group.
Acculturation was associated with self-efficacy, cognitive flexibility and the
belief that others view the Asian American group positively.
Conclusion – Enculturation and acculturation, being two relatively independent
processes, may both contribute positively to the development of identity.
Strengths - Participants took part in a variety of pre-validated questionnaires
which increases the reliability
- The research can be useful to Asian American college students to
understand how their identities are being influenced.
- The research is fully focused on the aim of the study
- Participants were taking part in questionnaires which is very typical for
any study
Weaknesses - Generalizability is limited to Asian American college student’s
population
- Results are correlational, no cause-effect relationship can be inferred
- Credibility depends on the psychometric properties of the
questionnaires used to measure the variables
- It doesn’t control any extraneous variables eg. How long the students
have lived in the US, if they have lived there before going to college,
etc.
How does the study Shows enculturation by testing different ways of how infants adapt and become
show the concept? sensitive to music from a specific culture.
Additional
Enculturation
Strengths
-
Weaknesses
- Doesn’t take into account how biological factors could impact how people learn their culture
- The assumption that most individuals in a given culture successfully achieve the uniform
internalization of that culture yielding its microcosm in the personality structures of individuals is
also questionable
, Acculturation
Definition: the process of psychological and cultural change as a result of contact and interaction
between cultures; can result in change to all cultures not just the dominant culture.
The processes by which groups or individuals adjust the social and cultural values, ideas, beliefs, and
behavioral patterns of their culture of origin to those of a different culture.
Example: Japanese people dressing in Western clothing is an example of acculturation
Acculturation vs. Assimilation
Assimilation is completely adopting to another culture and leaving their old culture behind, while
acculturation is incorporating the new culture into your own.
4 different types of acculturation (according to Berry’s 2-Dimensional Model 1997) :
Assimilation – individuals are open to change and are not concerned about the loss of connection
with their original culture. They adjust their behavior, attitudes, and beliefs to the norms of the
dominant culture.
Integration – individuals preserve their original values and beliefs, but at the same time explore
relationships with other cultures.
Separation – individuals value their original culture, are afraid of losing it and, as a result, actively
avoid contact with other cultures.
Marginalization – individuals do not maintain their original culture, but neither do they seek contact
with other cultures.
Validity vs. Reliability
Validity is for accuracy and reliability is for consistency or trustworthiness.
Key Studies
Shah et. al (2015): obesity in South Asian workers in the UAE
AMRC Aim - to study the association between acculturation and obesity.
Method – Random sample of 1,375 South Asian (India, Pakistan, and
Bangladesh) male migrant workers in the UAE, most of which have lived there
for 6+ years. Common jobs were drivers, laborer’s, agricultural and construction
workers. They were compared to a group of men of the same age in their
culture of origin
Results – Migrant workers in the UAE had a significantly higher BMI than the
comparison group. The longer they stayed in the UAE, the higher their BMI.
Obesity was generally higher in migrants than in the comparison group, eg. It
was double among the Pakistani participants. Obesity was also higher in the
migrants than in Emirati men
Conclusion – Acculturation may contribute to unhealthy eating behaviors,
resulting in obesity and being overweight. This may be explained by the fact
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