Effect of culture on pro- and anti-social behaviour

Question 1

What do psychologists believe about culture?

Answer 1

Culture that a child is raised in can influence whether they engage in pro-social or anti-social behaviour

Question 2

Define collectivist culture

Answer 2

• The norms, values emphasise the importance of group
  -People value behaviour that helps everyone
• Tend to come from Japan, Sweden , China and ect
• Lead to more pro-social behaviour

Question 3

Define individualist culture

Answer 3

• The norms, values emphasise the importance of each individuals rights and responsibilities
• Tend to be from western countries
• Often lead to more anti-social behaviour

Question 4

Define Altruism

Answer 4

helping others without expecting any reward

Question 5

Application of whiting and Whiting’s

Answer 5

• Naturalist observation of children 3-11 in diff cultures found most pro-social behaviour were from Kenya
• They found Kenyan children demonstrated 100% altruism compared to 8% of American children

Question 6

Application of towers

Answer 6

• Research shows that Russian (use to be communist country) children are more likely to chose resources which benefit others compared to UK children.
  Both applications are evidence that collectivist culture are more likely to show pro-social behaviour than individualist culture

Question 7

Core Theory #1 Criticisms

Answer 7

• Suggests our behaviours are
  deterministic and we don’t have free
  will.
• deindividuation does not always lead to
  violence; it can be positive too.
• Reductionist as it does not take into
  account individual differences