Cultural Bias Flashcards
What is cultural bias in psychology?
Cultural bias occurs when research findings are applied universally despite being based on the norms or practices of one culture. This can lead to the misrepresentation or devaluation of other cultural perspectives.
What is ethnocentrism?
Ethnocentrism is the tendency to view one’s own culture as superior and use it as the standard for judging other cultures. This bias often results in misinterpreting behaviors or norms from other cultural contexts.
What is cultural relativism?
Cultural relativism is the idea that behavior and norms must be understood within their cultural context. This perspective opposes ethnocentrism by emphasizing that no culture’s practices are inherently superior.
What is universality in the context of cultural bias?
Universality assumes that psychological findings are applicable to all cultures, but this often overlooks significant cultural differences. Truly universal concepts are rare and must account for cultural diversity.
Give an example of ethnocentrism in psychological research.
Ainsworth’s Strange Situation is an example of ethnocentrism, as it assumes that secure attachment behaviours observed in Western cultures are the ideal standard. This overlooks cultural differences in caregiving practices.
Give an example of cultural relativism in psychology.
Berry’s research on conformity emphasizes cultural relativism by studying differences between collectivist and individualist societies. This approach highlights how social behaviors are influenced by cultural context.
What is an imposed etic?
An imposed etic occurs when researchers apply concepts or theories from one culture to another without considering cultural differences. This can lead to inaccurate conclusions about the other culture.
What is an emic approach in psychology?
The emic approach focuses on studying behaviors from within a specific culture, ensuring the findings are culturally relevant. This contrasts with imposed etics and reduces cultural bias.
How can cultural bias impact psychological theories?
Cultural bias can result in theories that do not generalize across cultures, limiting their validity. For example, Western-centric theories like Maslow’s hierarchy may not apply in collectivist cultures.
How can cultural bias be minimized in research?
Cultural bias can be minimized by using culturally diverse samples, adopting culturally sensitive research methods, and consulting with researchers from different cultural backgrounds.
Why is ethnocentrism problematic in psychology?
Ethnocentrism can devalue cultural practices and reinforce stereotypes, leading to inaccurate representations of non-Western populations. This reduces the external validity of research findings
How has cultural relativism contributed to psychology?
Cultural relativism has promoted greater inclusivity and understanding of cultural diversity in psychological theories and practices. It has also encouraged cross-cultural research to uncover universal and culture-specific behaviours.
Why might cultural bias in research still persist today?
Despite efforts to reduce cultural bias, many studies are conducted in WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic) societies. This overrepresentation skews the generalizability of findings to the global population.
How has cross-cultural research challenged cultural bias?
Cross-cultural research, such as Hofstede’s work on cultural dimensions, has highlighted key differences in societal values and behaviours. This challenges the assumption of universality in many psychological theories
Why is addressing cultural bias important for practical applications?
Addressing cultural bias ensures psychological therapies, assessments, and interventions are effective across diverse populations. For instance, culturally tailored therapies have proven more successful in treating minority groups.
