2. cultural bias

Question 1

cultural bias

Answer 1

researchers have a distorted view of other cultures as their own cultural understandings affect theories and research

Question 2

ethnocentrism

Answer 2

using your own culture as a basis of judgement for other cultures
own customs and behaviour seen as ‘normal’ and superior
e.g individualistic/ western view of attachment= independence is valued vs collectivistic= dependence is valued

Question 3

cultural relativism

Answer 3

all cultures seen as worthy of respect and studies need to understand cultural views
using an emic approach instead of an etic one

Question 4

etic approach

Answer 4

behaviour is assumed universal and studies cultures from the outside
BAD

Question 5

emic approach

Answer 5

identifies and measures behaviour in a way specific to a culture
e.g immersing yourself in that culture
GOOD

Question 6

cultural bias
EVALUATION
LIMMITATION
implications of cultural bias

Answer 6

if western views dominate impacts how mental health is diagnosed
e.g DSM based on western findings used to diagnose, defies schizophrenia symptoms that are common in other cultures
may diagnose someone as mentally ill but definition is only relative to own culture
people will receive treatment who don’t need it

Question 7

cultural bias
EVALUATION
STRENGTH
emic approach

Answer 7

overcome issues with ethnography where researcher become part of the community to understand a culture
more valid interpretations
can demonstrate if trait is universal

Question 8

cultural bias
EVALUATION
LIMITATION
operationalised of variables

Answer 8

without clear understanding of culture we may measure behaviour that is not perceived the same way in another culture
e.g studies use different samples in other cultures, like strange situation
takahashi= infants are more distressed because of cultural differences not attachment type
found cultural differences might actually be due to cultural bias so aren’t valid

Question 9

cultural bias
EVALUATION
LIMITATION
individualism and collectivism

Answer 9

not always helpful to distinguish cultural differences as there’s differences also within cultures
travel is more common and the world is more connected
cultural bias is less of an issue than thought
we should look at cultures individually instead of making distinctions