Exam 2- Week 4

Question 1

Beginning in 1960s, lots of cross-cultural testing
Why?
What happened?

Answer 1

Why

• space reach, education system could be better
• –> science and math score differentiations between social class

What happened
Results to find “natural intelligence” (not going to school) disappointing
- Non-western cultures did poorly on testing
–> conclusion: non-western ppl are less skilled intellectually (social darwinism)
–> dilemma: non-westerners are competent in their own activities and they are able to reason in complex ways
- Westerners did poorly on non-western tests
–> new conclusion: think more deeply about culture and it’s role in the development of skills (including intelligence)

Question 2

Developmental niche

Answer 2

Psycho-cultural model
-determine if cultural practices could predict adult personality

Ecological systems theory
-child develops in nesting and interacting set of social-psychological systems

Two principles

• Environment organized as part of cultural system
• Inborn disposition of child
• -> regulate growth and change
• -> organize experiences meaningfully

Development occurs in physical and social settings
- settings, customs, caregiver psychology (cannot take child out, abnormal development)

Belief systems shared by culture seem like fact