PSYC FPX 3540 assessment 1

Social Cognitive Theory

Summarize the concept/theory.

Social cognitive theory is all about compartmentalizing and categorizing information in order to easily comprehend it. It deals with personal, behavioral, and environmental determinants and implies that individuals construct automatic reactions out of habitual beliefs regarding characteristics such as race, gender, and age. According to this theory, people’s likes and perception are decided by experiences and learning since childhood, and it builds stereotypes and prejudices (Schunk & DiBenedetto, 2020).

Real World Example

A practical application of social cognitive theory can be seen in reinforcing racial stereotypes and prejudices. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the disease became linked automatically to China, and therefore there was aggression towards Chinese migrants, demonstrating how racial assumptions dictate behavior (Abdullah, 2019). Additionally, incidents such as when a comedian mentions Chinese stereotypes while speaking in a reality show explain how observation and perception result in prejudice (Schunk & DiBenedetto, 2020).

Name of video:

White Like Me

Provide a brief summary of the video

“White Like Me” is a documentary by Tim Wise that discusses issues of privilege and race in America. Referring to the book “Black Like Me,” Wise discusses the systemic inequalities faced by individuals of color, particularly pointing out the privileges that whites have. Through the analysis of history and personal experiences, the documentary illustrates how racism is entrenched in every aspect of society, including politics, education, and the criminal justice system (Watson, 2011).

PSYC FPX 3540 Assessment 1 Theories Application Exercise

Apply the Concept/Theory

The social cognitive theory describes the dynamics shown in the video. Past examples of slavery and discrimination against blacks align with the theory’s emphasis on clustering categories and stereotyping (Schunk & DiBenedetto, 2020). Besides, the documentary demonstrates how social institutions perpetuate disparities, and white privilege has led to inequalities in incarceration rates and access to resources (Landman, 2020). Moreover, the term “reverse discrimination” mentioned in the documentary reflects the motivation element of the theory where individuals try to uphold their perceived privileges despite perceived threats (What Is Reverse Discrimination? | Swartz Swidler, n.d.).