General Learning Outcomes
- Outline principles that define the sociocultural level of analysis (for example, the social and cultural environment influences individual behaviour; we want connectedness with, and a sense of belonging to, others; we construct our conceptions of the individual and social self).
1. One principle that defines the socio-cultural level of analysis is that human beings are social animals and we have a basing need to “belong”.
Discussion: A relationship between the individual and the group is bidirectional: As an individual is affected by being part of the group, the individual can also affect behavior in the group.
2. The second principle is that culture influences behavior. Culture can also be defined as a cultural norms and behavior in the society.
Discussion: people they don’t need to understand the effect of culture of an individual’s behavior, because the study of culture may help us to get better understanding and appropriate cultural differences.
3. The third principle is that because humans are social animals, they have a social self.
Discussion: People don’t only have an individual identity, but they do also have a collective or social one.
4. The last principle which is also very important is that people’s views of the world are resistant to change.
Discussion: A world view can be defined as the way world is understood. For example: how is it supposed to work, why it works the way it does and what values are essential in the world community.
Discussion: A relationship between the individual and the group is bidirectional: As an individual is affected by being part of the group, the individual can also affect behavior in the group.
2. The second principle is that culture influences behavior. Culture can also be defined as a cultural norms and behavior in the society.
Discussion: people they don’t need to understand the effect of culture of an individual’s behavior, because the study of culture may help us to get better understanding and appropriate cultural differences.
3. The third principle is that because humans are social animals, they have a social self.
Discussion: People don’t only have an individual identity, but they do also have a collective or social one.
4. The last principle which is also very important is that people’s views of the world are resistant to change.
Discussion: A world view can be defined as the way world is understood. For example: how is it supposed to work, why it works the way it does and what values are essential in the world community.
- Explain how principles that define the sociocultural level of analysis may be demonstrated in research (that is, theories and/or studies).
- Discuss how and why particular research methods are used at the sociocultural level of analysis (for example, participant/naturalistic observation, interviews, case studies).
Although experiments in sociocultural research are sometimes used, the majority of research today is more qualitative in nature. It is important that the behavior of the participants is as realistic as possible, to avoid studies that lack ecological validity. Therefore, a significant amount of research is naturalistic – that is, “as it really is”. Much of the research is done in the environments in which the behavior is most likely to take place.
Modern psychologists often use participant observation. Participant observation is when researchers immerse themselves in a social setting for an extended period of time and observe behavior. There are two types of participant observation: overt and covert. When the participants in the group know that they are being observed, this is an over observation. If the researcher does not inform the participants that they are being observed, it is a cover observation.
Overt observations require the researcher to gain the trust of the group that is to be observed.
Covert observations are sometimes used with group that would be hostile to an outsider observing their behavior, or who would not be open and honest, perhaps because of the illegal nature of their activities – for example, drug users. Though the researcher must gain the trust of the members of the group, this is done though deceit. The researcher foes not disclose his or her intentions to the members if the group, and then records the participants’ behavior without obtaining informed consent. In addition to these ethical concerns, cover observers have difficulties taking notes and often have to rely on memory, meaning that their data are open to distortion. Finally, unlike over observation, interviews cannot be carried out, for fear of being “discovered”.
Modern psychologists often use participant observation. Participant observation is when researchers immerse themselves in a social setting for an extended period of time and observe behavior. There are two types of participant observation: overt and covert. When the participants in the group know that they are being observed, this is an over observation. If the researcher does not inform the participants that they are being observed, it is a cover observation.
Overt observations require the researcher to gain the trust of the group that is to be observed.
Covert observations are sometimes used with group that would be hostile to an outsider observing their behavior, or who would not be open and honest, perhaps because of the illegal nature of their activities – for example, drug users. Though the researcher must gain the trust of the members of the group, this is done though deceit. The researcher foes not disclose his or her intentions to the members if the group, and then records the participants’ behavior without obtaining informed consent. In addition to these ethical concerns, cover observers have difficulties taking notes and often have to rely on memory, meaning that their data are open to distortion. Finally, unlike over observation, interviews cannot be carried out, for fear of being “discovered”.
- Discuss ethical considerations related to research studies at the sociocultural level of analysis.