Research Methods used in the Socio-Cultural Approach

The contribution of research methods used in the socio-cultural approach to understanding human behaviour

When answering exam questions, only use research methods from the following list:

  • Experiments (Can include laboratory, field, quasi or natural)
  • Case Studies
  • Observations (can include cover/overt, participant/non-participant)
  • Interviews (can include focus groups)

SAQ Practice Questions

  1. Outline how and why one research method is used to investigate the individual and the group. (9)
  2. Describe how one research method is used to investigate cultural origins of behaviour and cognition. (9)
  3. Explain why one research method is used to investigate the cultural influences on individual behaviour.  (9)
  4. Describe the use of one research method used to investigate the socio-cultural approach. (9)

We are not sure yet but questions may be worded as follows:

  • Outline the contribution of one research method used to study the individual and the group. (9) e.g. SCA1 Methods SAQ
  • Describe the contribution of one research method used to study the cultural origins of behaviour and cognition. (9) e.g. SAQ SCA2 Methods
  • Explain the contribution of one research method used to study cultural influences on individual behaviour. (9) SAQ SCA3 Methods – Interview

Social identity theory

Interviews: Research on social identity theory and emergency situations-   Drury et al (2009) Everyone_for_themselves_A_comparative_st – 

Handout on this study: Everyone for themselves

There is a quizizz on this topic 🙂 Ask me for the PIN if you would like to play.

Complete the sheet to plan an SAQ exam answer: INTERVIEWS exam plan

Focus Groups: Social identity in Brixton teenagers Howarth (2002) – Identity_in_whose_eyes_LSERO

Complete the sheet to plan an SAQ exam answer: FOCUS GROUPS exam plan

Experiments: Social identity and conformity – Abrams (1990): https://www.thinkib.net/psychology/page/12570/abrams-et-al-1990

Complete the sheet to plan an SAQ exam answer: LAB EXP exam plan

Social cognitive theory

Laboratory experiment: Bandura et al. (1961, 1963, 1965)

Natural experiment: Charlton et al (2000)

Interviews: Odden and Rochat (2004) – Observational learning of children in Samoa ObservationalLearningand (also relates to enculturation).

Stereotypes

Laboratory experiment:

a table where I started putting together possible studies: research-methods-sca 2019

ERQ Practice Questions: Methods and Ethics Essays can only be asked at the ‘topic level’.

  1. Evaluate the use of one or more research methods used to investigate the individual and the group. (22)
  2. Discuss the use of two research methods used to investigate the cultural origins of behaviour and cognition. (22)
  3. Contrast the use of two research methods used to investigate the cultural influences on individual behaviour. (22)

Essays can also use command term to what extent however it is difficult to know how this might be worded for an methods question.