Cross-Cultural Key Terms

Question 1

Cross cultural research

Answer 1

A research methodology that tests the cultural parameters of psychological knowledge.

Question 2

Cross-cultural psychology

Answer 2

A subdiscipline within psychology that examines the cultural foundations of psychological processes and human behavior.

Question 3

Universal

Answer 3

A psychological process that is found to be true or applicable for all people of all cultures.

Question 4

Culture specific

Answer 4

A psychological process that is considered to be true for some people of some cultures but not for others.

Question 5

Deviation from temperate climate

Answer 5

The degree to which the average temperature of a given region will differ from what is considered to be the relatively “Easiest” temperature to live in, which is 22°C (about 72°F).

Question 6

Arable land

Answer 6

The type of land that can sustain life by food production of some sort.

Question 7

Population density

Answer 7

The number of people living within a given unit of space.

Question 8

Latitudinal psychology

Answer 8

A perspective that understands group differences in mental processes and behaviors according to a combination of distance from the equator and affluence.

Question 9

Shared intentionality

Answer 9

Knowledge about motivations concerning behaviors that are common among people in a group.

Question 10

Ratchet effect

Answer 10

The concept that humans continually improve on improvements, that they do not go backward or revert to a previous state.

Question 11

Culture

Answer 11

A unique meaning and information system, shared by a group and transmitted across generations, that allows the group to meet basic needs of survival, pursue happiness and well-being, and derive meaning from life.

Question 12

Values

Answer 12

Trans-situational goals that serve as a guiding principle in the life of a person or group (e.g., kindness, creativity).

Question 13

Sacred values

Answer 13

Values considered to be nonnegotiable. They differ from normal values because they incorporate moral beliefs that drive action in ways dissociated from prospects for success.

Question 14

Beliefs

Answer 14

A proposition that is regarded as true.

Question 15

Social axioms

Answer 15

General beliefs and premises about oneself, the social and physical environment, and the spiritual world.

Question 16

Belief in a zero-sum game

Answer 16

The proposition that social relations are basically antagonistic—that one person’s gain occurs at the expense of others’ losses.

Question 17

Religion

Answer 17

Organized systems of beliefs that tie together many attitudes, values, beliefs, worldwide views and norms.

Question 18

Norms

Answer 18

A generally accepted standard of behavior within a cultural or subcultural group.

Question 19

Rituals

Answer 19

Culturally prescribed conduct or any kind of established routine or procedure.

Question 20

Etiquette

Answer 20

Culturally prescribed code of behavior that describes expectations for polite behavior.

Question 21

Tightness vs looseness

Answer 21

A dimension of cultural variability that refers to the variability within a culture of its members to norms.

Question 22

Attitudes

Answer 22

Evaluations of objects occurring in ongoing thoughts about the objects, or stored in memory.

Question 23

Cultural worldviews

Answer 23

Culturally specific belief systems about the world.

Question 24

Self-concept

Answer 24

The cognitive representations of who one is, that is, the ideas or images that one has about oneself, especially in relation to others, and how and why one behaves.

Question 25

Enculturation

Answer 25

The process by which individuals learn and adopt the ways and manners of their specific culture.

Question 26

Attributions

Answer 26

Beliefs about the underlying causes of behavior.

Question 27

Etics

Answer 27

Aspects of life that appear to be consistent across different cultures; universal or pancultural truths or principles.

Question 28

Emics

Answer 28

Aspects of life that appear to differ across cultures; truths or principles that are culture specific.