Influence of Culture

Question 1

Define culture

Answer 1

The rules, customs, morals and ways of interactions that bind together a society or collection of people

Question 2

Define media

Answer 2

Tools used to store and distribute information

Question 3

Across cultures there is a general belief that women…?

Answer 3

are more conformist than men - however this difference varies considerably with culture

Question 4

What did Berry et al report?

Answer 4

• tight cultures have more rules, strong social norms and little tolerance for deviance: more likely to have better health outcomes and more discipline and more goal orientated Japan
• loose cultures have fewer rules and weak social norms and are more permissive: more likely to be learnt and help strangers Italy, Spain

Question 5

What was Mead’s study?

Answer 5

• Mundagumar tribe - both men and women were hostile
• Arapesh tribe - Both men and women gentle + responsive
• Tchambuli tribe - woman dominant while men were passive

Question 6

How does the media portray males?

Answer 6

Independent and directive pursuing both recreational activities and engaging occupations

Question 7

How are woman portrayed by the media?

Answer 7

Dependant and unambitious (Bussey and Bandura)

Question 8

What did McGhee and Freuh find?

Answer 8

• Longitudinal study
• over 15 months
• found children aged 6-12 who watched more than 25 hours a week held more sex-stereotype perceptions than those who watch 10 or less hours

Question 9

What does the media also provide?

Answer 9

Give information about the likely outcomes of male/female behaviours. If seeing similar others succeed raises self belief (self-efficacy) if fail also produces self doubt

Question 10

(culture) A03 Evidence for cultural differences could be due to biological differences and different physical demand in each culture

Answer 10

• Social role theory by Eagly and Wood argue the biologically based physical differences makes males/females more efficient to certain tasks.
• childbearing and nursing mean that women less likely to take on roles that need extended absence from homes
• men greater upper body strength and speed more useful for work that need strength and energy
• in addition, societied where strength not need outside homes or alternative child care, gender roles more similar and psychological differences are reduced
• Therefore there are other explanations which my reflect cultural differences

Question 11

(culture) A03 issues with mead’s research on role of culture influencing gender-role behaviours

Answer 11

• observers from one culture may record behaviours in another culture and ‘see’ things differently to indigenous population
• indigenous people may tell researchers what they want to hear (freeman)
• Mead American anthropologist -

Question 12

(media) A03 research into media influences is that there is supporting evidence

Answer 12

• difficult to establish causal relationships between media and gender stereotypes - all kids watch tv
• cannot randomly assign ppts to conditions or have control
• Williams studied effects of exposure to TV in regards to gender
• behaviour and attitudes were assessed
• Notel community
• Views became more signficantly sex-typed
• media influences gender-attitudes

Question 13

(media) A03 conflicting evidence suggest media may be insignificant

Answer 13

• Charlton et al studied effects of TV on cultures without it
• found no changes in aggressive behaviour
• concluded this was because of pre-existing community values that reduced the effects of exposure to media
• signorelli and bacue examined effects of over 30 years of TV programmes and found little change in gender-stereotypes
• media not driving forced for gender-stereotypes and may just reflect cultural attitudes/norms