IB Psychology The Individual and the Group Key Definitions

The process of organizing individuals into groups based on shared characteristics (nationality, gender, or even trivial factors like favorite colors.)

Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) builds on Social Learning Theory by emphasizing the role of cognitive processes in shaping behavior. It explains that learning is not just a reaction to the environment but involves active thinking.

A psychological theory that describes how a person’s sense of who they are (self-concept) is shaped by their membership in social groups.

Introduced by Albert Bandura, the Social Learning Theory (SLT) explains how individuals learn behaviors and attitudes by observing others. It focuses on the role of modeling and reinforcement in shaping behavior, emphasizing that people can learn without direct experience.

A widely held generalization about a group of people, often oversimplified and inaccurate. Unlike prejudice (attitudes) and discrimination (behaviors), stereotypes are cognitive constructs (beliefs).