CULTURAL BIAS Flashcards
(30 cards)
What is the goal of cross-cultural psychology?
It aims to investigate the effect of various cultural practices on human behaviour by comparing and contrasting cultures.
What is one use of cross-cultural studies in psychology?
To determine whether a behaviour is universal (genetic) or varies across cultures (environmental).
Give an example of cultural differences in laws or values.
Homosexuality is legal in the UK but not in the Middle East; Finland is considered the happiest country.
What is one strength of cross-cultural studies?
They help identify innate behaviours, such as universal sexual behaviour.
How do cross-cultural studies help understand environmental influences?
They show that symptoms of disorders like schizophrenia can be influenced by cultural expectations.
How do cross-cultural studies reduce ethnocentrism?
By promoting generalisation and understanding of diverse behaviours.
What is observer bias in cross-cultural research?
Misinterpreting behaviours through the lens of one’s own cultural norms.
What is an imposed etic?
Applying Western ideas (e.g., intelligence tests) to other cultures, possibly misrepresenting their abilities.
What did Cole et al (1971) find in their study of the Kpelle tribe?
They grouped objects functionally (e.g., knife with orange), unlike Western categorical grouping.
Why is it problematic to ignore subcultural differences in research?
No sample can represent an entire culture, leading to overgeneralisation.
What did Vandello and Cohen (1999) discover about American subcultures?
Individualism prevailed in the Mountain West; collectivism in the Deep South.
List practical limitations of cross-cultural research.
It’s expensive, time-consuming, and faces language/understanding barriers.
What is the difference between individualist and collectivist cultures?
Individualist cultures value personal autonomy; collectivist cultures value group loyalty and interdependence.
How do attribution styles differ across cultures?
Collectivist cultures focus on situational causes; individualist cultures focus on personal choice.
What is self-serving bias and where is it more common?
Attributing success to self and failure to external factors; stronger in individualist cultures.
What did Harris (1995) find about romantic love across cultures?
Present in 26 of 42 hunter-gatherer societies, but free partner choice was rare.
Define ethnocentrism.
Viewing one’s own culture as central and others as abnormal or inferior.
What is Eurocentrism in psychology?
Focus on Western norms and theories in psychological research.
What is cultural relativism?
The belief that all cultures deserve equal respect and understanding.
What is alpha bias in cultural psychology?
Overestimating differences between cultures, missing potential universals.
What is beta bias in cultural psychology?
Assuming all people are the same, ignoring cultural differences.
What did Amir and Sharon (1987) conclude about replicating US studies in Israel?
Only 24 of 64 US findings were replicated, showing limited generalisability.
What percentage of people conform to their dominant culture according to Trandis et al (2001)?
About 60%.
What did Rosenzweig (1992) find about psychologists’ nationality?
64% of the world’s psychologists were American.
