Key Concepts
What is the term used to describe the shared beliefs, values, and practices of a group?
Culture
Name the two theorists that were studied in Personal and Social Identity
What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative research?
Qualitative is descriptive and explores meaning; quantitative uses numerical data.
What is social change?
The alteration of social structure and cultural patterns over time.
What is intercultural communication?
The exchange of information between people from different cultural backgrounds.
What word describes the process by which individuals learn the norms and values of their society?
Socialisation
Erikson’s theory proposes eight stages of development. What is the conflict faced during adolescence?
Identity vs. Role Confusion
What is an interview in social research?
A method of collecting data through direct questioning.
Name one factor that can lead to cultural change in a society.
Technology (accept: globalisation, education, migration, etc.)
Name one barrier to effective intercultural communication.
Language differences
What term refers to the way a person perceives themselves in relation to society?
Social identity
Define communication accommodation theory. Provide an example.
Changing the way that you speak to accommodate to the person you're speaking to. Example: speaking formally to a principal or baby talking to a child
State one strength and one limitation of using surveys in research.
Strength: Can reach many people quickly. Limitation: May lack depth/insight.
What is diffusion in the context of cultural change?
The spread of cultural traits from one society to another.
Give 3 examples of non-verbal communication that can be interpreted differently across cultures.
Body language, eye contact, facial expressions
What is a social institution, and name two examples?
A system that structures society; examples: family and education.
What is the main idea behind Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development?
Individuals progress through eight stages, each with a specific psychosocial conflict that shapes their identity.
What is the purpose of using focus groups in social research?
To gather in-depth insights from group discussions about participants’ perceptions, attitudes, and experiences.
How does globalisation influence cultural change?
It increases interaction and exchange between cultures, leading to hybridisation and adaptation of cultural practices.
What is cultural relativism?
The practice of understanding a culture based on its own values, not judging it by another culture’s standards.
What is "ethnocentrism"?
The belief that one’s own culture is superior to others.
What are the four stages of Piaget’s theory of cognitive development?
Sensorimotor, Preoperational, Concrete Operational, Formal Operational
Why is informed consent important in social research?
It ensures participants understand the aims, methods, and possible impacts of the research, and agree to take part voluntarily and ethically.
What is modernisation, and how can it affect traditional societies?
Modernisation is the process by which societies adopt new technologies and ways of thinking; it can lead to the decline of traditional practices and institutions.
What does the term "acculturation" mean?
The process of cultural change and adaptation that occurs when different cultures come into contact.