Which of the following statements about capital punishment is most consistent with the sociocultural perspective on psychological disorders?

• A. It is best explained by unconscious conflicts and childhood experiences.
• B. It is unrelated to environmental or social influences.
• C. It is influenced by cultural norms and societal values, which shape attitudes toward punishment and justice.
• D. It is solely determined by genetic predispositions and biological factors.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the sociocultural perspective in psychology, which emphasizes how cultural, social, and environmental factors influence behavior and mental processes.
2. Step 2: Identify that psychological disorders and related attitudes (such as those toward capital punishment) are shaped by societal norms, cultural values, and social context rather than just internal conflicts or biology.
3. Step 3: Analyze each statement in the problem to see which aligns with the sociocultural perspective: unconscious conflicts relate to psychodynamic theory, genetic predispositions relate to biological perspectives, and ignoring social influences contradicts the sociocultural view.
4. Step 4: Recognize that the statement emphasizing cultural norms and societal values shaping attitudes toward punishment fits the sociocultural perspective best because it highlights the role of social environment and culture.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the correct answer is the one that connects capital punishment attitudes to cultural and societal influences, consistent with the sociocultural approach.