A person’s social cognition and behaviour influence the way they view themselves and the way they relate to others. In this area of study students explore the interplay of biological, psychological and social factors that shape the behaviour of individuals and groups. They consider how these factors can be used to explain the cause and dynamics of particular individual and group behaviours, including attitude formation, prejudice, discrimination, helping behaviour and bullying. Students examine the findings of classical and contemporary research as a way of theorising and explaining individual and group behaviour.
On completion of this unit the student should be able to compare the sensations and perceptions of vision and taste, and analyse factors that may lead to the occurrence of perceptual distortions.
Social cognition
the role of person perception, attributions, attitudes and stereotypes in interpreting, analysing, remembering and using information about the social world
the applications and limitations of the tri-component model of attitudes
attitudes and stereotypes that may lead to prejudice and discrimination. Social influences on behaviour
the influence of status and social power within groups, and obedience and conformity on individual behaviour, with reference to theorists including Asch, Milgram and Zimbardo
the influences on helping behaviour (or reluctance to help) including personal, situational and social factors
factors that influence bullying (including cyberbullying) behaviour and the effects of bullying behaviour on an individual’s psychological functioning
positive and negative influences of media on individual and group behaviour, illustrated by advertising, television, video games and social media.