Lesson Plans

Psychology, 6th Edition ©2000

by Wade, Tavris

Weeks 27–28

Chapter 8: Behavior in Social and Cultural Context

Performance Objectives:

• Demonstrate an understanding of person perception.
• Describe how attributions affect our explanations of behavior.
• Identify sources of attitude formation.
• Assess some methods used to change attitudes.
• Identify basic social and cultural categories.
• Discuss how social and cultural categories affect behavior.
• Describe effects of the presence of others on individual behavior.
• Describe how social structure can affect intergroup relations.
• Explore the nature of bias and discrimination.
• Describe circumstances under which conformity and obedience are likely to occur.
• Discuss the nature of altruism in society.
• Discuss the significance of aggression.

Resources:

• Chapter 8: Behavior in Social and Cultural Context—pp. 262–303
• Study Guide and Practice Tests—pp. 213–240
• Instructor's Resource Manual—pp. 259–304
• Test Bank—pp. 171–196

Pacing Guide:

• Roles and Rules—days 1 and 2
• Social Influences on Beliefs—days 3 and 4
• Individual in Groups—days 5 and 6
• Group Conflict and Prejudice—days 7 and 8
• The Question of Human Nature—day 9
• Block Scheduling
  Roles and Rules, Social Influences on Beliefs, Individual in Groups, and Group Conflict and Prejudice get one block each. The Question of Human Nature should get one-half of a block.

Key Words:

Critical Thinking Questions:

1. How do social rules regulate behavior—and what is likely to happen when you violate them?
2. How can people be "entrapped" into violating their moral principles?
3. Why would a person blame victims of rape or torture for having brought their misfortunes on themselves?
4. Why do people in groups often go along with the majority even when the majority is dead wrong?
5. How can "groupthink" lead to bad, even catastrophic decisions?
6. Why do well-meaning people sometimes get caught up in a "cycle of distrust" with other ethnic groups?
7. Why isn't mere contact between cultural groups enough to reduce prejudice between them? What does work?
8. How do stereotypes benefit us, and how do they distort reality?

Troubleshooting Tips:

• The topics of racism and prejudice can lead to very emotional discussion. You may want to consider an introspective activity (writing assignment?) to close the class period, where all students get to express what is on their minds.
• While very important, the concept of fundamental attribution error is often difficult for students to understand. Come to class with several, real-life FAE examples to help get this concept across.

End-of-Chapter Activity: