Sociocultural Approach Reviewer

Summary

Sociocultural Approach Topics Extension Topics: “The influence of

Globalization on individual behavior”

1. The Individual and the Group 1. How globalization may influence

[individual and/or group] behavior.

2. Cultural Origins of Behavior and 2. The Effect of the interaction of local

Cognition and global influences on behavior

3. Cultural influences on individual 3. Methods used to study the influence

attitudes, identity and behavior of globalization on behavior
 Topic 1: The individual and the Group
Questions Bank
Paper 1 Section A
(SAQs)
Social Identity Theory
1. Outline Social Identity theory
2. Describe Social Identity Theory
3. Explain the social identity theory. Cite
one supporting research.
4. Explain how one study supports
identity theory
5. Describe one study that investigates
social identity theory
6. Outline one strength and one
limitation of the research method used
to investigate the social identity theory
Social Cognitive Theory
1. Outline social cognitive theory
2. Describe social cognitive theory
3. Explain social cognitive theory
4. Describe one study that investigates
social cognitive theory
5. Outline one strength and one
limitation of the method used to
investigate the social identity theory
Stereotypes
1. Outline the influences of stereotypes
on human behavior
2. Explain how stereotypes may
influence human behavior
3. Explain how stereotypes are formed
4. Explain why stereotypes are formed
Paper 1 Section B
(Essay Questions)
Social Identity Theory
1. Evaluate social identity theory
2. Discuss social identity theory’s
explanation of human behavior
3. Evaluate one or more studies related
to social identity
Social Cognitive Theory
1. Evaluate social cognitive theory
2. Evaluate one or more studies related
to social cognitive theory
3. Discuss social cognitive theory’s
explanation of human behavior
Stereotypes
1. Discuss research related to
stereotypes
2. Evaluate one study or theory related
to stereotypes.
3. Discuss the formation or effects of
stereotypes
 Topic 2: Cultural origins of behavior and cognition
Questions Bank

Paper 1 Section A Paper 1 Section B

(SAQs) (Essay Questions)

Culture and its influence on behavior and Culture and its influence on behavior and
cognition cognition
1. Explain one influence of culture on 1. Discuss one ore more ways culture
behavior may influence behavior and/or
2. Explain one cultural origin of behavior cognition
3. Describe one study that investigates 2. Discuss one cultural origin of behavior
the influence of culture on one
behavior
4. Describe one study that investigates
the influence of culture on one
cognition.
5. Outline one strength and one
limitation of the research method used
to investigate the influence of culture
on one behavior/cognition.

Cultural Dimensions Cultural Dimensions

1. Explain the role of one cultural 1. Discuss the influence of one cultural
dimension in human behavior dimension on human behavior
2. Outline one way cultural dimensions 2. Evaluate one study related to cultural
can influence human behavior dimensions.
3. Outline one strength and one
limitation of the research method/s
used to investigate the influence of
one cultural dimension on human
behavior.
 Topic 3: Cultural Influences on Individual attitudes, identity, and
behaviors.
Paper 1 Section A Paper 1 Section B
(SAQs) (Essay Questions)

Enculturation Enculturation
1. Explain one cultural influence on 1. Discuss one or more cultural
individual behavior. influences on individual attitudes,
2. Explain one effect of enculturation on identity and/or behaviors.
human behavior 2. Discuss one or more effects of
3. Outline one study related to enculturation on human behavior.
enculturation 3. Evaluate one or more studies related
to enculturation.

Norms
1. Outline one way cultural norms may
influence human behavior
2. Explain the influence of cultural norms
on one human behavior.
Acculturation
1. Describe one effect of acculturation
on human behavior.
2. Describe one study that investigates
the influence of acculturation on one
human behavior.
No Essay Questions for this content.
Acculturation
1. Discuss one or more effects of
acculturation on identities, attitudes,
and/or behavior.
2. Evaluate one or more studies related
to acculturation.

Etic and Emic Perspectives

1. Describe one study that makes use of
an etic approach.
2. Describe one study that makes use of No Essay Questions for this content
an emic approach.
 Research Methods
Short Answer Questions

1. Outline one research method used to study cultural influences on behaviour.

2. Describe the use of one research method used to study the individual and the group.
3. Explain how and why one research method is used to study cultural origins of behaviour
and/or cognition.
4. Explain the use of one research method used in the sociocultural approach to
understanding human behaviour.

Essay Questions

1. Outline one research method used to study cultural influences on behaviour.

2. Describe the use of one research method used to study the individual and the group.
3. Explain how and why one research method is used to study cultural origins of behaviour
and/or cognition.
4. Explain the use of one research method used in the sociocultural approach to
understanding human behaviour.

Ethical Considerations
Short Answer Questions

1. Outline one ethical consideration related to studies on the individual and the group.
2. Explain one ethical consideration relevant to studies on cultural origins of behaviour.
3. Explain one ethical consideration relevant to one study on cultural influences on
behaviour.
4. Outline one ethical consideration related to studies in the sociocultural approach to
understanding human behaviour.

Essay Questions

1. Discuss one ethical consideration relevant to studies on the individual and the group.
2. Discuss one ethical consideration relevant to one study on cultural origins of behaviour.
3. Discuss ethical considerations relevant to research on cultural influences on behaviour.
4. Discuss one or more ethical considerations relevant to research on cultural influences on
behaviour.
5. Discuss one or more ethical considerations related to research in the sociocultural
approach to understanding human behaviour.
 Soc-cult HL Extension Exam
Questions
Sociocultural essay questions*: “The influence of globalization on individual behaviour.”

1. Discuss how globalization may influence behaviour.

2. Discuss how globalization may influence behaviour and cognition.
3. Discuss one or more effects of globalization on cultural origins of behaviour.
4. Discuss one or more effects of globalization on cultural origins of behaviour and/or
cognition.
5. Discuss the effect of the interaction of local and global influences on cultural origins of
behaviour.
6. Discuss the effect of the interaction of local and global influences on the individual and
the group.
7. Evaluate one or more methods used to study the influence of globalization on behaviour.
8. Evaluate one or more methods used to study the influence of globalization on cultural
origins of behaviour.
9. Evaluate one or more methods used to study the influence of globalization on the
individual and the group.

Note: These questions were copied and adapted from: https://www.themantic-

education.com/ibpsych/2019/04/23/exam-question-bank-paper-1-sociocultural-approach/
Paper 1 Section A (SAQs) Tips:

Since you have a copy of my comments from your previous semester exams, you can refer to
those. Otherwise, perhaps this Australian IB teacher can convince you further of the merits of
the seatworks we’ve been doing on managebac the past few months.

For reference, you may access this link [1] and this link [2].

Remember: you have an advantage over many IB students around the world simply because
English is a primary language for you. Other students have to learn to communicate in that
language while learning about IB Psychology. As such, take advantage of these resources so
that we can show off to the world Xavier’s brand of IB education.
 Paper 1 Section B (Essay Questions)
Rubrics Elaboration
Criterion A: Focus on the Question
0 1 2
Does not reach the standard Identifies the problem/issue raised Explains the problem/issue raised in
described by the descriptors. in the question. the question

Expectations
• At the introduction, it will be better to convert the test item into question form (if it is not
using a To What Extent command term) and elaborate on the overarching issues related
to the assumptions and methods in a particular approach/option
o For example: Paper 1, if the question is specific to the biological approach, you
can raise the issue of ethical considerations and reductionism, and how these
affect how research is conducted in this approach. Similarly, you can raise the
issue of implying cognition from observable behaviour when discussing the
cognitive approach. Finally, you can raise the issue of reductionism and validity
when discussing the claims being made from the sociocultural approach.
o For the options, you need to raise ethical and methodological issues that affect
how research is conducted in the option

For reference, you may access these past worksheets on what information to include in
your introduction.
 Criterion B: Knowledge and understanding
0 Low Moderate High
1-2 3-4 5-6
The response
The response The response
demonstrates relevant
demonstrates limited demonstrates relevant,
knowledge and
relevant knowledge and detailed knowledge and
Does not reach the understanding but lacks
understanding understanding.
standard described by detail.
the descriptors Psychological Psychological
Psychological
terminology is used but terminology is used but
terminology is used
with errors that hamper with errors that do not
appropriately.
understanding. hamper understanding.
Expectations
• Offer a textbook definition of the relevant terms/concepts
• Fully explain the theory by showing how it explains/describes a certain cognitive
process/behaviour.
• To reach the higher bands, Refer to these links (Link 1 & Link 2) so that you can mention
and apply the Psychology-specific terms. The more of these terms you use and apply,
the more evidence of knowledge and understanding
 Criterion C: Use of Research to support answer
0 1-2 3-4 5-6
Relevant psychological
Relevant psychological
Limited relevant research is used in
research is used in
psychological research support of the response
Does not reach the support of the response
is used in the response. and is thoroughly
standard described by and is partly explained.
explained.
the descriptors
Research selected Research selected Research selected is
serves to repeat points partially develops the effectively used to
already made. argument. develop the argument.
Expectations
• To be awarded higher marks, DO NOT just describe a relevant study. You need to
identify as well the most important piece of information from the study. By that I mean do
not just say that the study has low ecological validity and leave it at that. You need to
explain why that piece of information is relevant to your overall argument. If, for example,
the study made use of a lab experiment to demonstrate a theory, does that mean the
theory cannot be observed to work in a more natural setting?
 Criterion D – Critical Thinking
Areas of Critical Thinking 1-2 3-4 5-6
• Research Design The response
There is limited critical
and methodologies The response contains consistently
thinking and the
• Triangulation critical thinking, but demonstrates well-
response is mainly
• Assumptions and lacks development developed critical
descriptive.
thinking
biases
• Contradictory Evaluation or
evidence or Evaluation or
Evaluation or discussion of most
alternative theories discussion of relevant
discussion, if present, relevant areas is
or explanations areas is consistently
is superficial. attempted but is not
well-developed.
• Areas of uncertainty developed

Expectations
• The last thing you want your paper to become is a list of facts.
• You need to have an argument (a voice) within your entire essay. It’s easier for the
examiner to see this criteria in your paper if each of your paragraph builds from your
argument. If you are able to do this, then we can say that the critical thinking is
developed.
o If, for example, you are responding to a DISCUSS command term, then build an
argument that insists on the need for a HOLISTIC approach when talking about
the said behaviour/cognition.
o If, for example, you are responding to an EVALUATE command term, then
choose a perspective on the behaviour/cognition while acknowledge counter-
claims.
o If you are responding to a CONTRAST command term, then you have to identify
specific items that you will use to reference both or all of the theories throughout.
For example, if you are asked to contrast theories on stereotype formation, you
can talk about the quality of the empirical evidence for each theory—which theory
has more/better empirical support?
• Your arguments can stem from one or two of the following considerations:
o Why are some studies still so influential in spite of methodological or theoretical
flaws
o Is a reductionist argument being made?
o What are alternative explanations to the cognition/behaviour?
o Tolerate uncertainty—can we make any definitive conclusions from the
research?
o Is there a cultural bias in the theory/study? – Consider the Etic and Emic
Approaches
o Has gender been considered as a variable in the theory/study?
o Is there a gender bias in the in the theory/study? Do you think that the study is
describing a male’s behaviour/cognition more than another gender’s?
o What strengths and limitations are inherent in the methodology/method/technique
used?
o Are there aspects of the method used that compromise its validity (for example,
representativeness of the sample)?
o What would happen if the study were repeated today with different subjects?
o Have the conclusions/results from the study/theory been triangulated?
o Would the study be acceptable to modern ethical committees?
o Is there any justification for the infringement or ethical standards?
o How effective is the theory in explaining the behavior compared with another
theory?
o How do the findings of the study X compare with those of study Y, and what
could account for any differences?
 Criterion E: Clarity
0 1 2
Does not reach the standard The answer demonstrates some The answer demonstrates organization
described by the descriptors. organization and clarity and throughout the response.
Expectations
• Construct your essay in three distinct parts: Introduction, Body, and Conclusion. AVOID
writing in one block with no clear paragraphs. I would like to think that you want to make
your English Writing and Composition teachers proud.
• Organization can be demonstrated by having one clear, overarching argument all
throughout your essay.
• It’s easier to award you with the higher bands if you include only the most relevant
pieces of information in your essay.