Issues and Debates: Culture bias

Question 1

What is culture bias?

Answer 1

When psychological studies/theories ignore cultural differences, assume findings can be generalised globally

Question 2

What is ethnocentrism?

Answer 2

The assumption that one ethnic culure is superior to another
Emphasises importance of one’s own culture

Question 3

What is the impact of ethnocentrism?

Answer 3

Leads to belief that behaviours of their culture is the norm and others are seen as abnormal/strange which can lead to prejudice and discrimination

Question 4

What topic does ethnocentrism link to?

Answer 4

Studies on IQ - those from African-Carribean backgrounds score an average of 15 points lower on IQ tests than Caucasians

Question 5

What is some AO3 for IQ?

Answer 5

IQ studies give clear example of ethnocentrism
Tests have been developed and tested in the western world, based on western views on intelligence, not suitable for other cultures
IQ tests have been misused to reinforce superiority of the western culture, led to discrimination and prejudice in immigration policy and the sterilising of individuals who don’t meet expectations of western IQ
However, research has shown that when using culturally relative IQ tests, cultural differences don’t exist. Shows clear culture bias with tool and damaging consequence of such ethnocentrism/culture bias

Question 6

What is some AO3 for culture bias?

Answer 6

Culture may be an outdated concept
Viewing cultures as individualistic/western or collectivist/non-western is a lazy generalisation, there are many similarities between cultures due to increased interconnectedness and the effect of shared media influences
Van Ijzerdoorn shown there is a greater variation within cultures than between them in attachment types
Concept of culture may lack validity so researchers should place more focus on social and economic pressures on individual than culture

Question 7

What is cultural relativism?

Answer 7

The appreciation that behaviour’s vary between cultures and there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ behaviour

Question 8

What is some AO3 for cultural relativism?

Answer 8

Much research can be criticised for lacking cultural relativism like definitions of abnormality
DSN lacks cultural relativism as different cultures have different social norms
E.g., message for spirits could be a Sz symptoms but also a spiritual gift
Not appropriate to use in different cultures