Culture bias Flashcards
The issue
Overlooking cultural differences and looking at all behaviour from the perspective of one culture so cultural differences are seen as abnormal when they just differ
Psychology is biased
94% of studies in the psych text book at from N.America but claim to explain behaviour.
Ethnocentrism
Judging other cultures by the standards of your own
e.g strange situation deems people as insecure when they are actually secure within their culture.
psychology is WEIRD
Wester, educated, industrialised, rich, democratic.
Cultural relativism
Research is well conducted but the findings may only be true for that culture
example of cultural relativism
Kilmann and mann replicated Milgram in Australia- 18%
Etic research
Studying behaviours across many cultures to find universalities of behaviour
Emic research
Studying a behaviour within a culture to find behaviours specific to that culture.
Imposed etic
Conducting research in an emic was (single culture) but assuming findings are etic (universal)
Example of imposed etic
IQ tests are based on western notions or intelligence
Impact of stereotyping
Leads to prejudice to certain groups
Gould- IQ tests leading to eugenics
-ethnocentric questions given in WW1 where African Americans had the lowest scores so lost education and work.
Globalisation reduces culture bias
We are more similar and connected so these issues may not be as big as they once were.
Relativism vs universality
We need to realise the knowledge and concepts we take for granted are not hardwired to provide a greater understanding of human nature.
e.g facial expressions are different all over the world
Solutions
Reflexivity- acknowledgement of their own biases. Be open when research is emic to avoid an imposed etic.
