Cultural Bias

Question 1

Cultural bias

Answer 1

The tendency to judge people in terms of your own cultural assumptions. If behaviour is judged only from the standpoint of one culture then any differences in behaviour will seem abnormal or even inferior.

Question 2

Reducing cultural bias

Answer 2

Researchers should not attempt to extrapolate findings or theories to cultures not represented in the research or assume their findings are universal.

Should use researchers native to the culture being investigated and carry out cross culture research.

Be sensitive to cultural norms when designing research.

Question 3

Ethnocentrism

Answer 3

Emphasising the importance of the behaviour of one’s own culture. This is communicated through the view that any behaviours that do not conform to the created model are somehow strange, deficient, underdeveloped etc. An example is the strange situation which said the lack of separation anxiety is a sign of insecure attachment. In Germany separation protests are seen as signs of being spoilt are children are taught not to do the,m to encourage independence.

Question 4

Cultural relativism

Answer 4

Psychologists should be more mindful of cultural relativism. The idea that a behaviour can only be understood in the context of the norms and values of the culture in which it occurs.

Question 5

Discussion of cultural bias, it’s still a problem

Answer 5

+) studies found that African Caribbean immigrants are 7 times more likely to be diagnose with a mental illness. This has led to the validity of the DSM and ICD. However some have suggested that the stress and possible racism these migrants experience effects their mental health.

+) Different cultures has different mental illnesses. In China a man who has delusions of his penis retracting is diagnosed with Koro.

+) Psychologists has differentiated between individualistic and collectivist cultures, however 14 out 5 studies comparing the USA and Japan found no evidence of the traditional distinction between individualistic and collectivist cultures.

Question 6

Discussion, Cultural bias is no longer a problem

Answer 6

• ) Some behaviours have been found to be universal. Basic facial expression for emotions such as happiness or disgust are the same in all cultures. International synchrony has been observed in many cultures.
• ) cross cultural research is a way to prevent cultural bias in psychology. This counters the charge scientific racism as we compare different assumptions that occur around the world. Increasing the subjects validity p.