Exam 1 Flashcards
Cross-cultural research
A research methodology that tests the cultural parameters of psychological knowledge.
- Compares the human behavior and the resulting psychological processes between 2 or more cultures
- Contrast human and nonhuman evidence
- Studies the limitations of cultures by studying different cultures.
Cross-cultural psychology
A subdiscipline within psychology that examines the cultural foundations of psychological processes and human behavior.
- Uses theoretical and methodological frameworks
- Investigates the main role of culture and its influence on mental processes for behavior
Universal
A psychological process that is found to be true or applicable for all people of all cultures.
Culture specific
A psychological process that is considered to be true for some people of some cultures but not for others.
Deviation from temperate climate
The degree to which the average temperature of a given region will differ.
- It will differ from the relatively “Easiest” temperature to live in
- This is 22°C (about 72°F)
Arable land
The type of land that can sustain life by food production of some sort.
Population density
The number of people living within a given unit of space.
- In cities, people tend to live many people in a small space
- This tends to be higher in cities and lower in rural areas
Latitudinal psychology
A perspective that understands group differences in mental processes and behaviors according to a combination of distance from the equator and affluence.
Universal psychological toolkit:
A set of basic psychological skills and abilities that people can use to meet their needs.
- Complex cognitive skills
- Language
- Emotions
- Personality traits
Shared intentionality
Knowledge about motivations concerning behaviors that are common among people in a group.
Ratchet effect
The concept that humans continually improve on improvements, that they do not go backward or revert to a previous state.
- Progress occurs because of improvements
Culture
A unique meaning and information system.
- This is shared by a group and transmitted across generations
- It allows the group to do this:
- meet basic needs of survival
- pursue happiness and well-being
- derive meaning from life
Values
Trans-situational goals that serve as a guiding principle in the life of a person or group.
- This motivates and justifies behavior
- This also serves as standard for judging people, actions, and events
- Examples: kindness, creativity
Sacred values
These specific values are considered to be non-negotiable.
- Incorporates moral beliefs that drive action in ways dissociated from prospects for success
- People believe devotion to core values should be absolute and inviolable
- These values outweigh other values, especially economic ones
- Examples:
- Religion
- Honor
- Justice
Beliefs
A proposition that is regarded as true.
- This is different across all cultures
Social axioms
General beliefs and premises about oneself, the social and physical environment, and the spiritual world.
- This is an assertion about the relationship between two or more entities or concepts
- People endorse and use them to guide their behavior in daily living,
- Example:
-“Belief in a religion helps to understand the meaning of life.”
Belief in a zero-sum game
The proposition that social relations are basically antagonistic.
- Operates on the condition that one person’s gain occurs at the expense of others
Religion
Organized systems of beliefs that tie together many attitudes, values, beliefs, worldviews, and norms.
- Provide guidelines for living
Norms
A generally accepted standard of behavior within a cultural or subcultural group.
Rituals
Culturally prescribed conduct or any kind of established routine or procedure.
Etiquette
Culturally prescribed code of behavior that describes expectations for polite behavior.
Tightness versus looseness
A dimension of cultural variability that refers to the variability within a culture of its members to norms.
- Tight: have less variability and are more homogenous (norms)
- Loose: have more variability and are more heterogeneous
Attitudes
Evaluations of objects occurring in ongoing thoughts about the objects, or stored in memory.
Cultural worldviews
Culturally specific belief systems about the world.
- Contains attitudes, beliefs, opinions, and values about the world
- Content of view is specific and different for each culture
- People have worldviews due to evolution and complex cognition
- This is a universal psychological process
Self-concept
The cognitive representations of who one is, that is, the ideas or images that one has about oneself, especially in relation to others, and how and why one behaves.
- Central to the personality identity
- Can change over time
- Considered partially unconscious or conscious
- The sum of:
- One’s idea about oneself
- physical, mental, historical and relationship aspects
- One’s capacity to learn and perform
Enculturation
The process by which individuals learn and adopt the ways and manners of their specific culture.
Attributions
Beliefs about the underlying causes of behavior.
Etics
Aspects of life that appear to be consistent across different cultures.
- Universal or pancultural truths or principles.
Emics
Aspects of life that appear to differ across cultures
- Truths or principles that are culture-specific.
Socialization
Enculturation
The process by which individuals learn and adopt the ways and manners of their specific culture.