CULTURE BIAS

Question 1

culture bias

Answer 1

• Culture bias refers to the assumption that all cultures are the same, and results in universal conclusions that overlook cultural differences.
• This is often due to ethnocentrism, where researchers only see the
  world from their own cultural perspective and believe that their view is normal and correct.
• This can lead to the belief of superiority for one’s own culture and the perception of other cultures as abnormal, inferior, and undeveloped.
• Eurocentrism, a type of ethnocentrism, is the emphasis on European or Western ideas in psychology at the expense of other cultures, leading to the application of Western research to create a
  universal view of human behaviour.
• Psychologists can help minimise the effect of cultural bias if behaviours are studied in the context of the norms and values of the society in which it occurs (cultural relativism)

Question 2

Asch study

Answer 2

• Asch study is accused of being culturally bias as the conclusions were used to explain why peoplecconform around the world, yet he only conducted research on US students from the 1950’s- and so not representative of other cultures around the world.
• This resulted in people from other cultures (Germany) less likely to conform. This suggests that Asch’s conclusions are affected by cultural relativism, as they are more relevant to one culture

Question 3

The Strange Situation (SS)

Answer 3

• is an example of ethnocentric research, it was developed to assess attachment types, and many researchers assume that the SS has the same meaning for the infants from other cultures, as it does for American children.
• Yet, German children, on average, demonstrate a higher rate of insecure-avoidant behaviour, yet it’s not that German mothers are more insensitive than American mothers but the fact they value and encourage independent behaviour, and therefore their children react differently in the SS

Question 4

A problem with conducting Eurocentric research is that it uses unrepresentative samples.

Answer 4

• For example, using an all western sample means participants in these cultures are familiar with the general aims and objectives of science.
• This means participants may change their behaviour in the studies and display demand characteristics to seem more socially desirable.
• This is a disadvantage as any research gathered using a completely western sample might lack validity.
• Additionally, it shows that much psychological research is severely unrepresentative and can be greatly improved by simply selecting different cultural groups to study.

Question 5

Contemporary psychologists have become more culturally diverse and aware, with increased understanding and appreciation of cultural relativism.

Answer 5

• For example, international psychology conferences increase the exchange of ideas between psychologists which has helped to reduce ethnocentrism in psychology.
• This has led to the development of indigenous psychologies and a shift towards emic approaches, which focus on the uniqueness of each culture.
• This has resulted in theories that are more relevant to people’s lives and cultures, including Afrocentrism, which recognizes the African context of behaviour and attitudes for black people.
• Therefore becoming more representative

Question 6

One way to address cultural bias in psychological research is to be aware of its existence and take steps to counteract it.

Answer 6

• Recognizing that research can contain cultural bias in its methodology, interpretation, and reporting can lead to more careful and well-planned cross-cultural research.
• This can promote a greater sensitivity to individual differences and cultural relativism.
• This is an advantage as it counters scientific racism, and increases the validity of conclusions drawn from psychological research.
• Furthermore, cross-cultural research can challenge Western ways of thinking and viewing the world, leading to a deeper understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity

Question 7

Futhermore

Answer 7

• the use of Eurocentric methodology in cross-cultural research can lead to researchers
  imposing their own cultural biases and perspectives onto other cultures, potentially leading to the amplification of damaging stereotypes and negatively impacting certain social groups.
• For example, the use of culturally biassed IQ tests by the US Army, which had negative effects on the attitudes towards African-Americans

Question 8

Universality:

Answer 8

• any characteristic of human beings that is capable of being applied to all, despite differences of experience and upbringing.-
• Gender bias and culture bias threaten the universality of findings in psychology
  which is why we try to avoid bias as a whole.