IB PSYCHOLOGY – SCLOA – APRIL 2022
SOCIO-CULTURAL LEVEL OF ANALYSIS (SCLOA)
Studying the dynamics between society, cultures, and behavior.
Understanding the principles in
1
studying SCLOA
Definitions of culture
Origins of culture
2 Culture and Cultural Norms
Cultural norms
Enculturation & cultural transmission
Etic vs emic approach
3 Cultural Dimensions Hofstede’s cultural dimensions
Other models of cross-cultural studies
Socialization
4 Learning culture and behavior Behaviorist approach to learning
Social cognitive theory
Social cognition
Attribution theories
5 Groups and behavior
Stereotypes – origins and effects
Social Identity Theory
Acculturation
6 Interacting cultures
Influence of globalization
, IB PSYCHOLOGY – SCLOA – APRIL 2022
1. UNDERSTANDING SCLOA
Social psychology is trying to understand behavior (individuals, groups) in dynamic
socio-cultural environments, and the behavior between groups of cultures/people.
There are basic principles that underlie SCLOA – these help us to understand how we
approach SCLOA theories and research
People are social animals who have a deep need to foster and nurture social
connections with others
Social and cultural groups influence behavior
People have a social identity (or identities) as well as a personal identity
The perspectives and worldview that people hold are resistant to change
2. CULTURE & CULTURAL NORMS
Culture
Defining ‘culture’ Complex and difficult to define
Generally refers to behaviors, attitudes, and identities
are common in a group of people who claim some form
of unity with each other
It’s something that is universally recognized
It affects us personally
Hofstede – “the collective programming of the mind
distinguishing the members of one group or category of
people, from another”
Culture guides a group of people in their daily interactions
Culture distinguishes ‘us’ from ‘them’ (other groups of ppl)
Matsumoto – culture is a unique meaning and info system,
shared by a group, transmitted across generations.
Allows them to:
- meet basic needs of survival,
- coordinate socially to achieve a viable existence,
- transmit social behavior,
- pursue happiness and well-being,
- derive meaning from life
Origins of culture Assumption is that as social animals, human beings have a
basic need to belong so we form social groups to protect
ourselves and better enable us to survive in our
, IB PSYCHOLOGY – SCLOA – APRIL 2022
environments
Matsumoto (2007) – “Culture is a solution to the problem
of how to survive, given the problems in the environment,
the physical and social needs that must be addressed, and
the tools available”
Culture is the response of a group of people to their
environment. (This explains why there are different cultures
around the world; it’s b/c of where they evolved)
Surface culture Refers to things like behaviors, customs, traditions,
architecture of a culture that can be easily seen
Deep culture More cognitive elements of culture like gender roles,
respect for authority and rules, concepts of social identity
and self, easily accessible to in-group members but less
for outsiders
Cultural norms Culture vs. cultural norms
Culture Cultural Norms
Generic term given to the Unique set of attitudes,
use of certain tools, beliefs and behaviors
practices and beliefs that specific to a particular
groups use to survive and culture
thrive in their environment
Cultures and norms grow from individuals’ behaviors, but
individuals’ behavior are also shaped by cultures and
norms = bidirectional relationship
Who decides what norms will be established and passed on? How is culture formed? =
Gatekeeper theory
Gatekeeper theory A theory of psychology and communication, related to
(Kurt Lewin) who controls access to information and ideas in a social
group
Gatekeepers are people in society who decide what info is
shared to groups and individuals (ex. Politicians,
religious/spiritual leaders, news editors, teachers,
professors)
Through a filtering process, these people decide what info
is unwanted, controversial, corrupting or harmful to
SOCIO-CULTURAL LEVEL OF ANALYSIS (SCLOA)
Studying the dynamics between society, cultures, and behavior.
Understanding the principles in
1
studying SCLOA
Definitions of culture
Origins of culture
2 Culture and Cultural Norms
Cultural norms
Enculturation & cultural transmission
Etic vs emic approach
3 Cultural Dimensions Hofstede’s cultural dimensions
Other models of cross-cultural studies
Socialization
4 Learning culture and behavior Behaviorist approach to learning
Social cognitive theory
Social cognition
Attribution theories
5 Groups and behavior
Stereotypes – origins and effects
Social Identity Theory
Acculturation
6 Interacting cultures
Influence of globalization
, IB PSYCHOLOGY – SCLOA – APRIL 2022
1. UNDERSTANDING SCLOA
Social psychology is trying to understand behavior (individuals, groups) in dynamic
socio-cultural environments, and the behavior between groups of cultures/people.
There are basic principles that underlie SCLOA – these help us to understand how we
approach SCLOA theories and research
People are social animals who have a deep need to foster and nurture social
connections with others
Social and cultural groups influence behavior
People have a social identity (or identities) as well as a personal identity
The perspectives and worldview that people hold are resistant to change
2. CULTURE & CULTURAL NORMS
Culture
Defining ‘culture’ Complex and difficult to define
Generally refers to behaviors, attitudes, and identities
are common in a group of people who claim some form
of unity with each other
It’s something that is universally recognized
It affects us personally
Hofstede – “the collective programming of the mind
distinguishing the members of one group or category of
people, from another”
Culture guides a group of people in their daily interactions
Culture distinguishes ‘us’ from ‘them’ (other groups of ppl)
Matsumoto – culture is a unique meaning and info system,
shared by a group, transmitted across generations.
Allows them to:
- meet basic needs of survival,
- coordinate socially to achieve a viable existence,
- transmit social behavior,
- pursue happiness and well-being,
- derive meaning from life
Origins of culture Assumption is that as social animals, human beings have a
basic need to belong so we form social groups to protect
ourselves and better enable us to survive in our
, IB PSYCHOLOGY – SCLOA – APRIL 2022
environments
Matsumoto (2007) – “Culture is a solution to the problem
of how to survive, given the problems in the environment,
the physical and social needs that must be addressed, and
the tools available”
Culture is the response of a group of people to their
environment. (This explains why there are different cultures
around the world; it’s b/c of where they evolved)
Surface culture Refers to things like behaviors, customs, traditions,
architecture of a culture that can be easily seen
Deep culture More cognitive elements of culture like gender roles,
respect for authority and rules, concepts of social identity
and self, easily accessible to in-group members but less
for outsiders
Cultural norms Culture vs. cultural norms
Culture Cultural Norms
Generic term given to the Unique set of attitudes,
use of certain tools, beliefs and behaviors
practices and beliefs that specific to a particular
groups use to survive and culture
thrive in their environment
Cultures and norms grow from individuals’ behaviors, but
individuals’ behavior are also shaped by cultures and
norms = bidirectional relationship
Who decides what norms will be established and passed on? How is culture formed? =
Gatekeeper theory
Gatekeeper theory A theory of psychology and communication, related to
(Kurt Lewin) who controls access to information and ideas in a social
group
Gatekeepers are people in society who decide what info is
shared to groups and individuals (ex. Politicians,
religious/spiritual leaders, news editors, teachers,
professors)
Through a filtering process, these people decide what info
is unwanted, controversial, corrupting or harmful to
