Social Psychology
SLK 220
Chapter 2: Culture and Nature
Disclaimer: These notes are a product of understanding based on the prescribed
textbook: ‘Social Psychology: 1st Edition South African Edition’ by R.F Baumeister
and B. J. Bushman, as well as the University of Pretoria Lecture slides.
Outcomes
o The evolution of the human brain and why
o How culture and nature work together to affect choices
and behaviour and make culture a better way of being
social.
o Summary of how the 2 systems of the duplex mind differ
and work together.
o Description of the inner processes serve interpersonal
functions
Introduction
o Gender identity has a biological factor/ process attached
to it as well as a psychological factor.
o Case of Brenda (born a boy but raised as a girl) shows how
parts of the human mind are biologically inclined to think
in a specific way despite the effects of the environment.
Shows that there are limits to socialisation.
o Nature vs nurture debate
Nature, nurture and social behaviour
o The psyche
o A broad term for the mind which encompasses
emotions, desires, perceptions, and all other
psychological processes.
o Greek: the breath of life (human spirit/soul/mind)
o Is influenced by nature and culture
, o Nature
o The physical world around us, including its laws and
processes
o Explains parts of human behaviour
o Includes the world excluding humans
o How genes, hormones, etc.. dictate one’s choices
and actions
o Nature (born with): influenced internal factors
o Genes, hormones, brain structures
o Culture (made): influenced by external factors
o Society, parents, socioeconomic
o Evolution theory falls under the ideas of nature
and how nature made everything
o Evolution, and doing what is natural
o Focuses on how change occurs in nature
o Over the last two decades, many people have
focused on how evolution influences social
behaviour
o Theory of evolution: by Charles Darwin in the
1800s (a British biologist)
o Charles Darwin theory of evolution
o Focus on how changes occur in nature
o Natural selection dictates what traits disappear or
endure
o Survival: living long enough to reproduce
o Depends on the circumstances in the environment
o Change is a common trait of living things
o Process of natural selection: decides which traits
will disappear and which will continue
o Mutation= new gene or combination of genes
o Reproduction: producing babies that also
reproduce
o Humans are social beings (Social animals)
o Seek connection to others
o Social = evolutionary benefits:
1. Find more food
SLK 220
Chapter 2: Culture and Nature
Disclaimer: These notes are a product of understanding based on the prescribed
textbook: ‘Social Psychology: 1st Edition South African Edition’ by R.F Baumeister
and B. J. Bushman, as well as the University of Pretoria Lecture slides.
Outcomes
o The evolution of the human brain and why
o How culture and nature work together to affect choices
and behaviour and make culture a better way of being
social.
o Summary of how the 2 systems of the duplex mind differ
and work together.
o Description of the inner processes serve interpersonal
functions
Introduction
o Gender identity has a biological factor/ process attached
to it as well as a psychological factor.
o Case of Brenda (born a boy but raised as a girl) shows how
parts of the human mind are biologically inclined to think
in a specific way despite the effects of the environment.
Shows that there are limits to socialisation.
o Nature vs nurture debate
Nature, nurture and social behaviour
o The psyche
o A broad term for the mind which encompasses
emotions, desires, perceptions, and all other
psychological processes.
o Greek: the breath of life (human spirit/soul/mind)
o Is influenced by nature and culture
, o Nature
o The physical world around us, including its laws and
processes
o Explains parts of human behaviour
o Includes the world excluding humans
o How genes, hormones, etc.. dictate one’s choices
and actions
o Nature (born with): influenced internal factors
o Genes, hormones, brain structures
o Culture (made): influenced by external factors
o Society, parents, socioeconomic
o Evolution theory falls under the ideas of nature
and how nature made everything
o Evolution, and doing what is natural
o Focuses on how change occurs in nature
o Over the last two decades, many people have
focused on how evolution influences social
behaviour
o Theory of evolution: by Charles Darwin in the
1800s (a British biologist)
o Charles Darwin theory of evolution
o Focus on how changes occur in nature
o Natural selection dictates what traits disappear or
endure
o Survival: living long enough to reproduce
o Depends on the circumstances in the environment
o Change is a common trait of living things
o Process of natural selection: decides which traits
will disappear and which will continue
o Mutation= new gene or combination of genes
o Reproduction: producing babies that also
reproduce
o Humans are social beings (Social animals)
o Seek connection to others
o Social = evolutionary benefits:
1. Find more food
