Outline principles that define the socio-cultural
level of analysis.
Introduction

State what you are doing in the essay
o This essay will give a brief summary of the principles that define the sociocultural
level of analysis (SCLA).

Define the Sociocultural Level of Analysis
o SCLA is the scientific study of how people's thoughts, feelings and thus
behaviours are influences by actual, implied or imagined presence of others
o Thus it is;
 The scientific study of individuals and groups in social and cultural
conditions
 How we think, feel and thus act in the presence of others
 And thus how this presence of others affects our behaviour

State the principles of the SCLA
o There are four overarching principles of the SCLA
 Principle 1: Humans are social animals and thus have the need to 'Belong'
 Principle 2: Humans have a social-self
Purpose of the Principles
o These principles are the main ideas that have driven focused research on specific
areas of how our environment can influence our behaviour in the SCLA.
o They also allow us to understanding how behaviour can be caused or influenced
by social factors.


In the following essay the following principles will further be outlined
o “The social and cultural environment influences behaviour.”
o “We construct our individual and social self through our conceptions.”
Body

State principle 1
o Sociocultural psychologists believe that social and cultural environment
influences behaviour.

Describe the Principle
o States that behaviour can be influenced by the social and cultural environment.
 For Example:

o
o
In a Social and Cultural Environment: you eat with a knife and
fork whereas in some other places/cultures, you may eat with
chopsticks or a spoon and fork
 This further reinforces the idea that the real or imagined pressure of others
influence behaviours
 Culture can be defined as the norms and values that define a society
Research into conformity outlines social norms and also how, in the form of
internalized standards of behaviour, they regulate our social behaviours
 Conformity also shows that strong situational influences may cause us to
put our own believes, values and morals to the side in order to fit in and be
accepted by our social world (thus influencing behaviour)
This principle is further supported by research conducted by Asch (1951)
Connection of Study to Principle


Conducted a study that demonstrated conformity
This study thus shows that our social and cultural environments may affect us thus result
in conforming to a group or social norm
o May result in a change in behaviour
Significance of the principle
o
Thus, because of the multicultural society we live in today; where is a need to
understand the effect of culture on a person"s behaviour, because the study of
culture may help us to better understand and appreciate cultural differences.
State principle 2

A second principle the SCLA assumes is that we construct our individual and social self
through our conceptions.
Describe the Principle




This social self is how we construct our social identity and is also dependent on the types
of groups that we belong and identified with.
o These identities reflect the influence of society on oneself and have been seen to
extensively affect our behaviour.
o Building who we are around our culture and environment (studies have shown
that 'norms' considered in one culture may be completely opposite in another).
 Further links to the principle discussed above
This principle gives rise to the fact that people not only have a individual identity but also
a collective or social one.
Likewise our social identity is important as it defines who we are and these behaviours
are determined by social groups (such as memberships, communities, clubs, nationality or
family).
A study that supports this principle is Zimbardo et al. (1995).
Connection of Study to Principle

Showing that our social self is constructed by our own conceptions (prisoner or guard)
and thus we will act in a way that fits with these conceptions.
Conclusion



There are 4 main principles that define the Sociocultural level of analysis but the two
principles that were outlined in this essay is:
o Social and cultural factors affect behaviour
 Demonstrated by Asch (1951) showing how our social group may affect
our behaviour
We construct our individual and social self through our conceptions
o Zimbardo (1995) as he showed that our conceptions of a prisoner and guard will
affect the way we behave towards them
 Also introduces authority
However, views from all levels of analysis need to be taken into account before reaching
a determined decision on influences on human behaviour, as sociocultural factors such as
the environment are not the sole cause of the behaviour, but certainly play a role in the
interaction between itself and behaviour.