C1b2 Ramirez et al (2001): culture and aggression

Question 1

Aim of Ramirez et al’s study

Answer 1

to investigate whether aggression varied between cultures, and the difference in aggression between males and females

Question 2

Procedure of Ramirez et al

Answer 2

Involved 400 psychology students, half from Japan, half from Spain. Students asked to do questionnaire measuring types of aggression : verbal aggression, physical aggression, anger, hostility.
The questions were to be answered on a Likert-scale of 1 to 5.

Question 3

Findings of Ramirez et al

Answer 3

He found that :

1) Japanese students showed more physical aggression than Spanish ones
2) Spanish students showed more anger and verbal aggression
3) Males showed more physical and verbal aggression and hostility in both cultures
4) Males and females in both cultures showed same level of anger

Question 4

Strengths of Ramirez et al

Answer 4

1) Questions asked produce quantitative data (Likert-scale). Cannot be interpreted differently
2) All students were volunteers and aware results would be published -ethical

Question 5

Weaknesses of Ramirez et al

Answer 5

1) Participants were psychology students- could have tried to guess aim or answer questions to please researcher
2) Students answered based on how they thought they would act, not how they would actually act