Evaluation: Culture in psychology: Cultural bias

Question 1

State the 1st evaluation point of Culture in psychology

Answer 1

Encourage indigenous psychologies

e.g Afrocentrism - central proposition - all black people have their roots in Africa
- therefore, they must be African-centred & express African values
- this disputes the view that European values = universal for all human behaviour
- suggests values & culture of Europeans devalue non-European people

this lead to development of theories relevant to life & culture of African descent

Question 2

State the 2nd evaluation point of Culture in psychology

Answer 2

Consequences of cultural bias

• creates/reinforces stereotypes
• The US Army IQ test
• Showed European immigrants = below white American’s IQ level
• Showed African Americans were at bottom of the scale

therefore the consequence was enduring stereotypes concerning certain ethnic groups and their IQ

Question 3

State the 3rd evaluation point of Culture in psychology

Answer 3

The worldwide psychology community

• Researchers travel a lot more often compared to 50 years ago
• results in a wider understanding of other cultures at a personal level & professional level
• this means there is a greater exchange of ideas
• reduces ethnocentrism
• enables understanding of cultural relativism & differences can be valued