Issue and debates: culture bias Flashcards
what do psychologists seek when referring to bias?
universality
what do critics argue about about what psychology claims?
that although they say they have unearthed truths abt ppl all around the world, findings actually apply to the particular groups.
what is an example of universality assumed from western research?
conformity (asch) and obedience (milligram), diff results when applied to world
what will cultural differences from the standpoint of one culture be called? (3 names)
‘Abnormal’, ‘inferior’/ ‘unusual’ = bias
what is ethnocentrism?
belief in the superiority of ones cultural group.
explain ethnocentrism through psychological research…
any behaviour that does not conform to the model is somehow deficient/ underdeveloped.
what is an example of ethnocentrism?
Ainsworth- norms and values of American culture in attachment, she identifies these through anxiety of separation.
what did Mary Ainsworth’s strange situation study lead to?
misinterpretation of child rearing practices in other countries which deviated from American norm.
ex: German mothers seen as cold and rejecting= this is inappropriate.
what is cultural relativism and how does it help to avoid bias?
‘facts’ and ‘things’ may only make sense from the perspective of own culture, recognising this will help avoid bias.
who came up with the etic and emic approaches?
Berry 1969
what is an etic approach?
looks at behaviour from the outside of a culture and refers to it as universal .
who illustrated imposed etic?
Ainsworth - assumed her ideal attachment type could be applied to others.
what is the emic approach?
functions within certain cultures, identifies behaviour to specific cultures.
EVALUATION
why should cross cultural research not be avoided?
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.
EVALUATION
why is it a limitation to use individualistic culture and collectivist culture when studying or considering cultural bias?
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.
who found that there was no distinction between the individualistic and collectivist culture?
Takano and Osaka
EVALUATION
why is cross cultural research prone to demand characteristics?
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.
EVALUATION
what is one strength of cultural bias?
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
what is another example of university?
Eckman and the universal recognition of emotion
