Issues and Debates: Culture Bias

Question 1

Universality

Answer 1

An underlying characteristic of human beings that is capable of being applied to all, despite differences of experience and upbringing

Question 2

Bias

Answer 2

The tendency to treat one individual or group in a different way from others

Question 3

Cultural bias

Answer 3

Overlooking cultural differences by looking at human behaviour from the perspective of your own culture

Question 4

Ethnocentrism

Answer 4

A type of cultural bias that involves judging other cultures by the standards and values of one’s own culture

Question 5

Cultural relativism

Answer 5

The idea that human behaviour can only be meaningful and understood within specific social and cultural contexts

Question 6

Imposed etic

Answer 6

A test, measure or theory devised in one culture that is used to explain behaviour in another culture

Question 7

Research tradition

Answer 7

The familiarity a certain culture has with taking part in psychological investigations

Question 8

Collectivist culture

Answer 8

Refers to cultures such as in India and China that are said to be more conformist and group-oriented

Question 9

Individualistic culture

Answer 9

Refers to Western countries (like the US) that are thought to be more independent

Question 10

Etic approach

Answer 10

Studying behaviour across many cultures in order to find universal human behaviours

Question 11

Epic approach

Answer 11

Studying cultures in isolation by identifying behaviours that are specific to that culture

Question 12

Culture-bound syndrome

Answer 12

Groups of syndromes classified as treatable illnesses in certain cultures that are not recognised as such in the West