I and D: cultural bias Flashcards
What is the difference between cultural bias and cultural difference?
Cultural bias ignores cultural differences and interprets phenomena through one’s own culture, while cultural difference acknowledges and expects variations in behavior across cultures.
Define cultural bias.
Cultural bias is the tendency to ignore cultural differences and interpret all phenomena through the lens of one’s own culture
Is psychology culturally biased?
Yes, psychology is mainly the study of white American males and often claims to have discovered universal facts about human behavior.
What does ethnocentrism refer to?
Ethnocentrism refers to judging other cultures according to the norms and values of one’s own culture and believing in the superiority of one’s own cultural group.
How does ethnocentrism manifest in psychological research?
It manifests through the view that behaviors not conforming to the western model are unsophisticated or underdeveloped.
Explain how Mary Ainsworth’s work exemplifies ethnocentrism.
Ainsworth’s strange situation procedure suggested that the ideal attachment type was secure, leading to misinterpretation of child-rearing practices in other countries, such as viewing German mothers as cold rather than encouraging independence.
Fill in the blank: Cultural bias is the tendency to ignore cultural differences and interpret all phenomena through the lens of _______.
[one’s own culture]
True or False: Ethnocentrism is a belief in the inferiority of one’s own cultural group.
False
List some consequences of cultural bias in psychology.
- Misinterpretation of behaviors
- Overgeneralization of findings
- Neglect of non-Western perspectives
What is the distinction made by Berry between etic and emic approaches?
Etic approach looks at behavior from outside a culture; emic approach studies behavior within a culture
The etic approach identifies universal behaviors, while the emic approach focuses on culture-specific behaviors
What is an imposed etic approach?
An approach that describes behaviors considered universal from outside a given culture
approach may overlook culturally specific nuances
What is an imposed emic approach?
An approach that identifies behaviors specific to a certain culture from within that culture
aims to understand the unique aspects of a culture
Is psychological research often etic or emic? Explain your answer.
Often etic as it may argue for universal theories based on emic research within a single culture
What is cultural relativism?
The idea that behavior can only be understood within its cultural context
emphasizes the importance of considering cultural factors in psychological research
List two ways researchers might reduce cultural bias in their research.
- Do not extrapolate findings to unrepresented cultures
- Use native researchers familiar with the culture
- Carry out cross-cultural research
- Don’t assume universal standards across all cultures
- Be sensitive to cultural norms when designing research
- Take a reflexive approach
What should researchers avoid when conducting cross-cultural research?
Assuming universal norms or standards across different cultures
this assumption can lead to inaccurate conclusions about behavior
What is a reflexive approach in research?
Constantly reflecting on one’s own biases when carrying out research
this approach helps to mitigate the impact of personal biases on research findings
Fill in the blank: The __________ approach studies a single culture to understand that culture.
[emic approach]
This method focuses on the specific practices and beliefs of a culture.
What is one method researchers can use to ensure sensitivity to cultural norms?
Design research that takes into account cultural norms and standards
This involves careful planning and consideration of cultural context during research design.
True or False: The imposed etic approach can sometimes misrepresent cultural behaviors.
True
Since it looks at behaviors from an outside perspective, it may overlook important cultural nuances.
AO3: not all behaviour is culturally relative
there are universal behaviours like: sadness, anger, joy
interactional synchrony is also argued to be universal
we should be less critical of Ainsworth as some attachment behaviours are universal
AO3: individualistic vs collectivist
individualistic: associated with USA
collectivist: associated with India and China
the distinction no longer applies due to global interconnectedness
Takana and Osada found 14/15 studies comparing USA to Japan found no distinction
less of an issue in modern society
AO3: ethnic stereotyping
cultural bias can lead to discrimination
eg: psychologists tested IQ in WW1 and African-Americans received lowest score > lead to them being seen as ‘mentally unfit’
shows culturally bias research can be used to justify discrimination
AO3: positive implications
increased knowledge led to ‘indigenous psychology’ > theories based on particular experiences of people in different cultural contexts
eg: Afrocentrism suggests all black people have African roots so theories recognise African contexts and behaviours
led to theories that are relevant to African people and those far removed from their African origins
