Issue and debates: culture bias

Question 1

what do psychologists seek when referring to bias?

Answer 1

universality

Question 2

what do critics argue about about what psychology claims?

Answer 2

that although they say they have unearthed truths abt ppl all around the world, findings actually apply to the particular groups.

Question 3

what is an example of universality assumed from western research?

Answer 3

conformity (asch) and obedience (milligram), diff results when applied to world

Question 4

what will cultural differences from the standpoint of one culture be called? (3 names)

Answer 4

‘Abnormal’, ‘inferior’/ ‘unusual’ = bias

Question 5

what is ethnocentrism?

Answer 5

belief in the superiority of ones cultural group.

Question 6

explain ethnocentrism through psychological research…

Answer 6

any behaviour that does not conform to the model is somehow deficient/ underdeveloped.

Question 7

what is an example of ethnocentrism?

Answer 7

Ainsworth- norms and values of American culture in attachment, she identifies these through anxiety of separation.

Question 8

what did Mary Ainsworth’s strange situation study lead to?

Answer 8

misinterpretation of child rearing practices in other countries which deviated from American norm.
ex: German mothers seen as cold and rejecting= this is inappropriate.

Question 9

what is cultural relativism and how does it help to avoid bias?

Answer 9

‘facts’ and ‘things’ may only make sense from the perspective of own culture, recognising this will help avoid bias.

Question 10

who came up with the etic and emic approaches?

Answer 10

Berry 1969

Question 11

what is an etic approach?

Answer 11

looks at behaviour from the outside of a culture and refers to it as universal .

Question 12

who illustrated imposed etic?

Answer 12

Ainsworth - assumed her ideal attachment type could be applied to others.

Question 13

what is the emic approach?

Answer 13

functions within certain cultures, identifies behaviour to specific cultures.

Question 14

EVALUATION

why should cross cultural research not be avoided?

Answer 14

because it challenges western assumptions.
understanding the knowledge and concepts we take for granted are not shared by others may promote greater sensitivity.
conclusions we draw will have more validity if they recognise the role of culture.

Question 15

EVALUATION
why is it a limitation to use individualistic culture and collectivist culture when studying or considering cultural bias?

Answer 15

because individualistic/collectivist culture can be seen as overly simplistic.

for example Takano and Osaka found that out of 14/15 studies comparing the us and Japan there was no evidence of distinction between the two cultures.

therefore it may not be useful to study and consider culture in such broad categories.

Question 16

who found that there was no distinction between the individualistic and collectivist culture?

Answer 16

Takano and Osaka

Question 17

EVALUATION

why is cross cultural research prone to demand characteristics?

Answer 17

because when you conduct research in places that have never historically experienced research, locals may be more affected by demand characteristics.

this particular form of research bias where unfamiliarity threatens the validity of the outcome.

Question 18

EVALUATION

what is one strength of cultural bias?

Answer 18

it can be useful to refer to both cultural relativism and universal behaviour

not all psych is culturally relative, there is examples of universal behaviour like some features of attachment such as interactional synchrony.

a full understanding of human behaviour requires looking both universals and variations

Question 19

what is another example of university?

Answer 19

Eckman and the universal recognition of emotion