Culture bias Flashcards
What are some facts about the history of culture bias ?
- In 1992, 64% of psychology researchers were American
- In 1991, a textbook of social psychology, 94% were conducted in North America
What did Henrich say about culture bias ?
W = westernised
E = educated
I = institutionalised
R = rich
D = developed
Most studies were completed in these types of countries
What is ethnocentrism ?
- Term used to describe the belief in superiority of one’s own culture and ethnic group
- Our own cultural perspective is taken as a standard by which we measure other culture
What is culture ?
The belief and customs that a group of people share
e.g. child rearing practices
What is cultural relativism ?
Behaviour cannot be judged properly unless its viewed in the context of the culture that it originates from
What does individualistic mean ?
In the western world - independence
What does collectivist mean ?
In the eastern world - greater good of the group
What is the etic approach ?
Universal behaviours
What is the ethic approach ?
Specific to a culture
What is imposed etic ?
Wrongly assuming universality but it is actually specific
How has historical evidence show that cultural bias occurs ?
- Historically, research has been culturally bias in psychology
- E.g. Strange situation, Milgram, Asch
- This is problematic because these conclusions may have imposed etic on other cultures
- This means findings may only be applicable to the western world
What did Takono and Osaka say ?
- Due to globalisation, cultures are more similar and there are no longer cultural differences
- Distinctions of culture of individualist and collectivist are too simple
- Awareness of differences is growing
How has cultural bia led to prejudice ?
- Through negative stereotypes
- IQ tests on African-Americans suggested they were mentally unfit because it was an American IQ test
- This means there is a misunderstanding of groups of people which can affect their education and employment chances
