Cultural Bias

Question 1

Give examples of studies which ignore cultural differences (2)

Answer 1

Social influence studies on conformity (Asch) and obedience (Milgram) revealed different results when done outside the US

Question 2

What’s the problem with mainstream psychology ignoring cultural differences?

Answer 2

If the norm for a behaviour is judged from the viewpoint of one culture, then any cultural differences in behaviour may be seen as abnormal.

Question 3

Define entrocentrism

Answer 3

Judging other cultures by the standards of ones own culture &I the belief in the superiority of ones own culture

Question 4

Give an example of endrocentric research

Answer 4

Ainsworth’s strange situation

• secure attachment was characterised by a moderate amount of separation anxiety
• this lead to German mothers being perceived as rejecting as their culture promotes independence
• whereas in Japan high levels of separation anxiety was seen due to the fact that Japanese mothers rarely are away from their children.

Question 5

Define cultural relativism

Answer 5

The idea that norms and values of a culture can only be understood from the viewpoint of that culture

Question 6

Define the Etic and emit approach. Who suggested these?

Answer 6

Berry

Etic - behaviour is looked at from outside a
given culture attempts to describe those
behaviours which are universal

Emic - function within a certain culture identifies
behaviours which are specific to that
culture.

Question 7

What did berry argue psychological research is often guilty of?

Answer 7

Imposing an Etic approach when the research came through a emic approach within a single culture

Question 8

Evaluate cultural bias within psychology (4)

Answer 8

Individualism/collectivism
- critics argue this simplistic view on
cultural differences no longer applies due to
increased interconnectedness.
- Takano & Osaka - 14 of 15 studies comparing
Japan and the US, showed no evidence of these

cultural relativism versus universality
- it shouldn’t be assumed that all human
behaviours are culturally specific as research
suggests there are some universals such as
some aspects of attachment (e.g. Imitation and
interactional synchrony) and basic facial
expressions.

Operation of variables
- some behaviours may not be expressed in the
same way between cultures, such as
aggression.
- e.g in China an invasion of personal space is
normal, whereas it may be seen as threatening.
- these issues may affect interactions between
the researcher and participants, or Western and
non-western participants, in cross-cultural
studies.

Challenging implicit assumptions
- cross cultural research challenges our western
ways of thinking.
- This may promote a greater sensitivity to
individual difference and cultural relativism.
- This means the conclusions psychologists draw
are likely to have more validity.