Sociocultural Level of Analysis: Human Beings as Social Animals with a Basic Need to Belong
Sociocultural Level of Analysis
Commentary in Red
Psychologists recognize that human behavior can only be fully understood if the social context in which behavior occurred is taken into account.
One principle that defines the sociocultural level of analysis is that human beings are social animals and we have a basic need to “belong”.
A second principle is that culture (culture can only be defined by psychologists e.g. David Matsumoto ) influences behavior. Culture can be defined as the norms and values that define a society. There is a need to understand the effects of culture on a person’s behavior.
A third principle is that because humans are social animals they have a social self. People do not only have an individual identity, but also a collective of social self. One may act one way by himself/when alone; however, when in a group surrounding he shall change.
Social identities are very important to the definition of who we are(she is so “smart”; social classing), and many behaviors are determined by membership of groups such as family.(an urge to fit in to certain groups, i.g. tigerettes, cheerleading)
One last principle is that people’s view of the world are resistant to change. Culture helps to shape our world view and the sense of self is developed from generation to generation. (Ones view of the world is shaped by worldly influences such as the way ones parents raise him, companionship)
Research Methods (Sociocultural)
Side note- There are two type of research—quantitative and qualitative. Qualitative includes observation
In sociocultural research, the goal is to see how people interact with each other. Though experiments are used, the majority of research today is more qualitative in nature. A significant amount of research is naturalistic – “as it really is”.
Modern sociocultural researchers tend to use participant observation, interviews, and focus groups in order to collect data to support a theory. (Qualitative)It should be noted that
Commentary in Red
Psychologists recognize that human behavior can only be fully understood if the social context in which behavior occurred is taken into account.
One principle that defines the sociocultural level of analysis is that human beings are social animals and we have a basic need to “belong”.
A second principle is that culture (culture can only be defined by psychologists e.g. David Matsumoto ) influences behavior. Culture can be defined as the norms and values that define a society. There is a need to understand the effects of culture on a person’s behavior.
A third principle is that because humans are social animals they have a social self. People do not only have an individual identity, but also a collective of social self. One may act one way by himself/when alone; however, when in a group surrounding he shall change.
Social identities are very important to the definition of who we are(she is so “smart”; social classing), and many behaviors are determined by membership of groups such as family.(an urge to fit in to certain groups, i.g. tigerettes, cheerleading)
One last principle is that people’s view of the world are resistant to change. Culture helps to shape our world view and the sense of self is developed from generation to generation. (Ones view of the world is shaped by worldly influences such as the way ones parents raise him, companionship)
Research Methods (Sociocultural)
Side note- There are two type of research—quantitative and qualitative. Qualitative includes observation
In sociocultural research, the goal is to see how people interact with each other. Though experiments are used, the majority of research today is more qualitative in nature. A significant amount of research is naturalistic – “as it really is”.
Modern sociocultural researchers tend to use participant observation, interviews, and focus groups in order to collect data to support a theory. (Qualitative)It should be noted that