Cross cultural studies

Question 1

In cross-cultural studies what happens

Answer 1

Psychologists compare behaviours in different cultures

Question 2

Why are cross-cultural studies done

Answer 2

They are a way of seeing whether cultural practices affect behaviour. It allows researchers to understand if differences are culturally determined

Question 3

Would you call a cross-cultural study a natural experiment

Answer 3

Yes because the e.g. IV is for example child rearing techniques in different cultures and the DV is some behaviours such as attachment

Question 4

What are the strengths of cross-cultural studies

Answer 4

It allows psychologists to see whether some behaviours are universal i.e. not affected by cultural differences

Question 5

Could observer bias be a problem with cross cultural studies

Answer 5

Yes because researchers have expectations about how they anticipate cultural groups behave and this will affect their measurements

Question 6

How could you overcome Observer bias

Answer 6

By using local ( indigenous) researchers

Question 7

Could there be communication problems and how would you overcome them

Answer 7

Yes you would overcome them by using local or indigenous researchers

Question 8

What is an imposed etic

Answer 8

Where a technique or psychological test is used in one culture even though it was designed the use in another culture… This often happens with tests or procedures developed in the US is not valid in another culture and make the individuals in another culture appear abnormal or inferior

Question 9

Why is it difficult to make generalisations about the whole culture or even the whole country

Answer 9

A group of participants study may not be representative of that culture