Controversies- cultural bias Flashcards
What are the four main themes?
-Cross cultural studies
-Differences of bias
-Ethnocentrism
-Historical and social context
Introduction?
Much traditional psychology is rooted in western ideas
This is because many researchers and participants are from western cultures
This means theories developed in one culture, are then applied inappropriately to other culture
Research findings are interpreted from the viewpoint of the researchers own culture
What is culture?
Rules, customs, morals and ways of interacting that bind together members of a society and collects of people
What is culture bias?
Tendency of people to make assumptions about the behaviour of others based on their own cultural norms and practices
What is cross cultural research?
Research that aims to investigate weather cultural practices have an impact on behaviour
What is ethnocentrism?
The use of our own ethnic or cultural group as a basis for judgment for other groups
Whats cultural relativism?
The idea that all cultures are different and equally worthy respect
Whats alpha bias?
A consequence of ethnocentrism, recognises that cultures are different and devalues them based on the idea that their own culture is better
Whats beta bias?
A consequence of ethnocentrism, minimising cultural differences and assuming all cultures work in the same way
What is etic approach?
Acknowledging that some phenomena may only apply in certain cultures
Therefore theories for one cultural are developed by using research carried out in that culture and can’t be applied cross culturally
A imposed etic is when techniques created in ones culture are appealed to another
What is emic approach?
Looks within/inside cultures and identified behaviours that are specific to that cultures
Para 1- cross cultural studies?
S- advantages and disadvantages of conducting cross cultural research
E- aim to investigate cultural practices affecting behaviour, studies help us identify if behaviours universal or different across cultures
E- For examples, Buss did a cross cultural stifu of 10,000 ps over 36 countries studying male and female attraction (M-high fertility) (F- protection) established that behaviours universal
C- But we may not understand local practices, the test may not have been valid when applying to other countries creating an observer bias + investigator affects (Smith and Bond) cultural bias in translation, participation and tradition
W- Therefore helping us understand the advantages and disadvantages of studies
Para 2- Differences of bias between cultures?
S- Difficult to be certain in cross cultura; reaserch if there is a genuine difference between cultural or if there is a bias shown by the reaserch
E- studies found differences bwteen cultural groups e.g. Myers and Diener found that cultural factors may influence swb, found that people in individualistic countrys report higher SWB in comparison to different parts of the worlf
C- But Myers and Diener themsebes had bias to own culture causing bias in lit review. SWB questionaire designed by western reaserchers so it imposed etic, ay seem cultures have different interpretations of wellbeing buy yhe measure used to test the SWB are bias and may not reflect the wellbeing of the collectivist cuture
W- Ultimately there are ways to reduce this by usng indrogenous reasercher (reasercher from a different country)
Para 3- -Ethnocentrism?
S- Ethnocentrism in psychology can lead to alpha bias, proposing that there are actual differences between cultural
E- Alpha bias is when reaserch assume that tehere are actual differences between cultures, has ethnocentrism
E- Milgrams studys hypothesis was ‘Germans are different’ to explain the atrocities in ww2 due to alpha bias milgrim didnt realsie americans would also show obedience as applicable to american. So disregarding behaviour as culturally universal. Can be argued that the so called divide between individualistic and collectavist cultures is to simplistic and isnt clear cut e.g. in milgrams stuyd american ps administerd full shock
E- Also beta boas assuming we are all the same e.g. Kohlbegs study of moral development he used a range of moral dilleas but they were culturally bias and only looked at western so wasnt applicable
C- But Kohlberg changed one scenraio to instead of steeling a drug stealing food
W- Also in our own personal investigation we chose people simolar to us
Para 4- historical and social context of cultural bias?
S- culture bias in research should be examined from the historical and social context of the research
E-Using students in research, they will have common norms and values (Sears 82% of studies using undergraduate students), so middle class and academic Loftus and Palmer conducted in sample of uni students, weird
E-Bowlby’s research conducted 80 yrs ago so values don’t match
W- ultimately psychology is based on white m/c student populations e.g. DSM V based on research in west for diagnosis of mental illness. In SZ positive symptoms like auditory hallucinations in west are mental illness but those of african decant may believe its trying to communicate with ancestors
Conclusion?
Ethnocentrism + imposed etic means research in psychology is often bias
Mainly imposing western culture onto eastern
Can be overcome though by using an indigenous psychologist
