To what extent does the sociocultural approach contribute to the understanding of group dynamics?

Refer to the paper 2 assessment criteria when awarding marks. These can be found under the “Your tests” tab > supplemental materials.

The command term “to what extent” requires candidates to consider the contribution of the sociocultural approach to understanding group dynamics.

It is appropriate and useful for candidates to address alternative approaches to understanding group dynamics as part of the response to the command term “to what extent”.

Sociocultural factors in understanding group dynamics could include, but are not limited to:

• in-group and out-group – competition and cooperation between the groups
• integrated threat theory
• stereotyping
• intergroup dynamics.

Relevant studies may include, but are not limited to:

• Drury and Reicher’s (1999) study of intergroup dynamics
• Brewer’s (1999) study of in-group loyalty and out-group bias
• Abrams et al.’s (2003) study of subjective group dynamics and in-group bias
• Fiske et al.’s (2002) model of (often mixed) stereotype content
• Haslam and Reicher’s (2006) study on inter- and intra-group dynamics related tosocial identity
• Tajfel’s (1971) study on ingroup/outgroup.

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.