I and D: cultural bias

Question 1

What is the difference between cultural bias and cultural difference?

Answer 1

Cultural bias ignores cultural differences and interprets phenomena through one’s own culture, while cultural difference acknowledges and expects variations in behavior across cultures.

Question 2

Define cultural bias.

Answer 2

Cultural bias is the tendency to ignore cultural differences and interpret all phenomena through the lens of one’s own culture.

Question 3

Is psychology culturally biased?

Answer 3

Yes, psychology is mainly the study of white American males and often claims to have discovered universal facts about human behavior.

Question 4

What does ethnocentrism refer to?

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

How does ethnocentrism manifest in psychological research?

Answer 5

It manifests through the view that behaviors not conforming to the western model are unsophisticated or underdeveloped.

Question 6

Explain how Mary Ainsworth’s work exemplifies ethnocentrism.

Answer 6

Mary 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.

Question 7

Fill in the blank: Cultural bias is the tendency to ignore cultural differences and interpret all phenomena through the lens of _______.

Answer 7

[one’s own culture]

Question 8

True or False: Ethnocentrism is a belief in the inferiority of one’s own cultural group.

Answer 8

False

Question 9

List some consequences of cultural bias in psychology.

Answer 9

• Misinterpretation of behaviors
• Overgeneralization of findings
• Neglect of non-Western perspectives

Question 10

What is the distinction made by Berry between etic and emic approaches?

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

What is an imposed etic approach?

Answer 11

An approach that describes behaviors considered universal from outside a given culture

This approach may overlook culturally specific nuances.

Question 12

What is an imposed emic approach?

Answer 12

An approach that identifies behaviors specific to a certain culture from within that culture

This approach aims to understand the unique aspects of a culture.

Question 13

Is psychological research often etic or emic? Explain your answer.

Answer 13

Often etic, as it may argue for universal theories based on emic research within a single culture

This can lead to misinterpretation of behaviors across different cultures.

Question 14

What is cultural relativism?

Answer 14

The idea that behavior can only be understood within its cultural context

It emphasizes the importance of considering cultural factors in psychological research.

Question 15

List two ways researchers might reduce cultural bias in their research.

Answer 15

-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

Other methods include conducting cross-cultural research and being sensitive to cultural norms.

Question 16

What should researchers avoid when conducting cross-cultural research?

Answer 16

Assuming universal norms or standards across different cultures

This assumption can lead to inaccurate conclusions about behavior.

Question 17

What is a reflexive approach in research?

Answer 17

Constantly reflecting on one’s own biases when carrying out research

This approach helps to mitigate the impact of personal biases on research findings.

Question 18

Fill in the blank: The __________ approach studies a single culture to understand that culture.

Answer 18

[emic approach]

This method focuses on the specific practices and beliefs of a culture.

Question 19

What is one method researchers can use to ensure sensitivity to cultural norms?

Answer 19

Design research that takes into account cultural norms and standards

This involves careful planning and consideration of cultural context during research design.

Question 20

True or False: The imposed etic approach can sometimes misrepresent cultural behaviors.

Answer 20

True

Since it looks at behaviors from an outside perspective, it may overlook important cultural nuances.

Question 21

AO3: not all behaviour is culturally relative

Answer 21

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

Question 22

AO3: individualistic vs collectivist

Answer 22

individualistic: associated with USA
collectivist: associated with India and China
the distinction no longer applies due to global interconnectedness
eg: Takana and Osada found 14/15 studies comparing USA to Japan found no distinction
bias is less of an issue

Question 23

AO3: ethnic stereotyping

Answer 23

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

Question 24

AO3: positive implications

Answer 24

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