culture bias Flashcards
(25 cards)
Define cultural bias.
A tendency to interpret all phenomena through the ‘lens’ of one’s own culture, ignoring the effects that cultural differences might have on behaviour.
What is ethnocentrism?
Judging other cultures by the standards and values of one’s own culture, often leading to prejudice and discrimination.
What is cultural relativism?
The idea that norms and values, as well as ethics and moral standards, can only be meaningful and understood within specific social and cultural contexts.
What percentage of research participants in leading psychology journals came from the United States, according to Henrich et al. (2010)?
68%
What does WEIRD stand for?
Westernised, Educated people from Industrialised, Rich Democracies.
What is the implication if most psychological research is based on WEIRD populations?
Findings may not generalise to non-Westernised, less educated, agricultural, or poorer cultures.
How does ethnocentrism relate to cultural bias?
It is a form of cultural bias involving the belief in the superiority of one’s own culture.
Give an example of ethnocentrism in psychology.
Ainsworth and Bell’s Strange Situation, which reflects Western cultural norms and values.
What is the Strange Situation criticised for?
Being based on Western norms and misinterpreting child-rearing practices in other cultures.
Why did Japanese babies show more distress in the Strange Situation?
Because they experience less separation from their mothers, so separation is more distressing.
What is an etic approach in cross-cultural research?
Looking at behaviour from outside a given culture and describing it as universal.
What is an emic approach in cross-cultural research?
Studying behaviour from inside a culture and identifying behaviours specific to that culture.
Give an example of an imposed etic.
Ainsworth and Bell’s Strange Situation, where American norms were assumed to be universal.
What is a danger of imposed etic in research?
It may lead to misinterpretation and bias by applying one culture’s standards to another.
What is the main criticism of classic social influence studies in psychology?
They are culturally biased, often using only US participants.
What is the difference between collectivist and individualist cultures in social influence studies?
Collectivist cultures show higher rates of conformity than individualist cultures.
How has globalisation challenged the individualist–collectivist distinction?
The distinction is now seen as too simplistic, as cultures are more interconnected.
What is cultural psychology?
The study of how people shape and are shaped by their cultural experience.
How does cultural psychology try to avoid ethnocentrism?
By taking an emic approach and conducting research from inside a culture, often with local researchers.
What is ethnic stereotyping in psychology?
Prejudiced assumptions about groups, often justified by biased research.
What is an example of ethnic stereotyping in US history?
Eugenicist IQ tests used to justify discriminatory policies against certain ethnic groups.
What was a consequence of eugenicist IQ tests in the US?
Certain groups were labelled ‘mentally unfit’ and denied education and jobs.
How can cultural bias in research be avoided?
By recognising cultural relativism and using emic approaches.
What is the role of cross-cultural research in psychology?
To compare and contrast findings across multiple cultures and avoid bias.
