Social Identity Theory

We have been studying the concept of Social Identity Theory over the past several days.  After watching (and discussing in class) the case study of the 3rd grade class from Iowa, we have a better understanding of the method used to divide people into "ingroups" and "outgroups" based on something as simple (and silly) as the color of one's eyes.  This case study helped sociologists and psychologists to see intergroup behaviors at work in the real world. 

Your assignment has three parts:

1. Have the notes we took in class and watch the video(s) linked below.  The one entitled "A Class Divided" explains the original case study.  The second video, "An Angry Eye" gives a more modern version of this study to show in greater detail how these intergroup behaviors are used to divide people into groups.

A Class Divided:  http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6189991712636113875#

An Angry Eye:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bf2LB0IG1xo

2. Write a two paragraph, short essay about how how you recognize the concepts discussed in class (from your notes) being demonstrated by this case study.  Provide detail of actual examples - things such as the language used and the behavior exhibited by the ingroup versus the outgroup.  This essay should be posted to your blog.

3. Identify a real life example of an ingroup (could be one you belong to but does not have to be) and their competing outgroup.  Explain, using examples, how the ingroup effectively uses the concepts we discussed in class to establish, increase and maintain the divide between themselves and the outgroup. Research online to find news stories that serve as evidence of this intergroup behavior - include these examples in your essay.  This second, seperate essay should be at least 500 words in length and should be posted to your blog. 

Errors of Attribution

To what do you attribute your success?  If you win an athletic contest or perform really well on the SAT, was your success due to your dispositional characteristics or simply to something outside your control, such as luck?  How about the success of your rival?  We all have tendencies to attribute behavior to one cause or another but how often to we make errors in our judgment?  Studies tell us that it depends on the culture from which you come.

Answer the following questions that relate to attribution styles and errors as well as cultural differences:
The following links may be of some help but feel free to use your textbook and other resources.
http://psych.wisc.edu/Miyamoto/CACL/Miyamoto%20&%20Kitayama%2002.pdf
http://psycnet.apa.org/journals/psp/81/5/922/ )

1. What is the difference between dispositional factors and situational factors?
2. Explain and give an example of the fundamental error of attribution.
3. Explain and give an example of the self-serving-bias error of attribution.
4. Explain two possible explanations for these errors.
5. What does the study by Miyamoto and Kitayama tell us about cultural differences in attribution errors?

Now, read this short article: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201005/excuses-excuses-excuses-why-people-lie-cheat-and-procrastinate and write a two paragraph essay explaining the role of attribution errors in things such as cheating and lying.

The Power of the Situation: Real Life

Abu Ghraib:  the infamous prison in Iraq  was once a place of death and torture for Saddam Hussein's regime.  Following the overthrow of the Iraqi dictator in 2003, American forces reclaimed this place as a location to house detainees while they attempted to gain intelligence.  Gradually, the culture of the prison evolved back into what it had previously been: the home of "evil".

Using your knowledge of the studies of Milgram, Asch and Zimbardo, identify what happended at Abu Ghraib and attempt to explain it using the conclusions from these presious studies.

Dedicate three paragraphs to your explanation and be sure to site your sources of information and include at least three pictures relating to your essay.

The Power of the Situation

Sociocultural psychology attempts to explain behavior (including our thoughts) in terms of dispositional and situational factors.  While personality holds some importance in determining behavior, it is thought that situations  - especially those considered to be strong in nature - influence our behavior more than anything else. 

These three studies have shown to be very useful in identifying how situational factors affect us:

Milgram’s studies of obedience to authority (1974)

Asch’s studies of conformity (1956)

Zimbardo’s Stanford Prison experiment (1971)

Your assignment is to choose two of the studies listed above, research them in detail and write a brief summary about each.  Your summaries should include:

• the aim of the study
• the basic method of the study
• the results
• the conclusions
• strengths and limitations
• ethical concerns

As always, site your sources of information and provide one picture relevant to each study.