Culture bias Flashcards
AO1: Universality
This is the idea that conclusions drawn from research can be applied to everybody regardless of time period, culture or gender. For example believing that some behaviours are the same for all cultures.
AO1: Culture bias
Culture bias is when psychological research ignores cultural differences and assumes their findings can be generalised globally. However, much research has been conducted in western universities, by educated people from wealthy backgrounds, so their results are only really applicable to that culture. Some bias researchers assume their culture is the norm.
What are the two types of culture bias?
- Ethnocentrism
- Cultural relativism
AO1: Ethnocentrism
The assumption that one culture is superior to another culture or all other ethic minorities. This leads to the belief that their culture is the norm and others are abnormal or strange leading to prejudice or discrimination.
For example several researchers have conducted studies on IQ and have found those from Afro-Caribbean score on average 15 points lower than caucasians.
What are the evaluations for ethnocentrism (2)?
1) IQ tests
2) Culture is outdated
AO3: Ethnocentrism: IQ tests
Research into IQ tests show a clear example of ethnocentrism bias. This is because IQ tests have been developed in the western world based on western views of intelligence so aren’t suitable for other cultures. IQ tests have been missed to reinforce superiority of the western cultures leading to discrimination and prejudice in immigration policing and the sterilising of individuals who don’t meet the expectation of western IQ. However research has shown when using culturally relative IQ tests, cultural differences don’t exists showing culture bias in the tool and the damaging consequences of ethnocentrism.
AO3: Ethnocentrism: Outdated
However, critics are quick to argue that culture may be an outdated concept. This is because viewing cultures are western/individualistic or non-western/collectivist is a lazy generalisation due to increased connectedness and effect of shared media influences. For example Van ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg have shown there’s greater variation within cultures than between cultures in attachment type. Therefore suggesting the idea of cultures lacks validity and there should be more focus on placing social and economic pressures in individual within society rather than the focus being on culture.
AO1: Cultural relativism
This is the appreciation the behaviour carries between cultures and there’s. o right or wring behaviour. It’s important to consider a persons behaviour in their culture before making a judgement. This is because social norms are culturally relative as what’s considered as acceptable in one culture may be unacceptable in another.
For example when defining abnormality what is seen as abnormal in one culture may not be abnormal in another.
What are the evaluations for cultural relativism? (2)
1) Defining abnormality
2) Universality
AO3: Cultural Relativism: Defining abnormality
Much of the research in psychology lacks cultural relativism for example when defining abnormality. Deviation from social norms lacks cultural relativism as different cultures have different social norms and expectations of behaviour. For example messages from the spirits could be a symptom of SZ in western cultures however could be seen as a spiritual gift in non western cultures. Therefore due to culture bias it may be inappropriate to use western diagnostic manuals to diagnose mental health conditions in non-western cultures.
AO3: Cultural relativism: Universality
Researcher’s should be cautious when distinguishing between cultural relativism and universality. Whilst some behaviours are seen are culturally relative its inappropriate to assume there is not at least some universality. For examine Ainsworth’s research highlighted the cultural differences between child rearing practices despite secure attachment being the most common between all cultures there was differences in insecure attachment in cultures. Therefore to fully understand human behaviour it’s essential to consider the contribution of cultural relativism and universality when conducting research.
