Psychology of human relationships

To what extent do sociocultural factors influence human relationships?

Refer to the paper 2 assessment criteria when awarding marks.

The command term “to what extent” requires candidates to consider the contribution of sociocultural factors that affect human relationships.

Candidates may address one or all areas of the option: social responsibility, interpersonal relationships and/or violence.

Factors which may be addressed include, but are not limited to:
• gender and cultural norms (for example, the role that culture plays in the formation and maintenance of relationships, violence, or perception of attractiveness)
• proximity
• modelling
• social identity
• similarity
• familiarity.

It is appropriate and useful for candidates to address biological and/or cognitive factors in order to address the command term “to what extent”.

Candidates may consider a small number of sociocultural factors in order to demonstrate depth of knowledge, or may consider a larger number of sociocultural factors in order to demonstrate breadth of knowledge. Both approaches are equally acceptable.

Studies may be used to illustrate or to provide evidence for factors influencing human relationships, but the focus of the response must be on addressing the actual sociocultural factors which influence human relationships in order to be awarded the full range of marks.