ISSUES AND DEBATES: gender and culture in psychology - culture bias Flashcards
What is universality and bias in terms of culture bias?
- Universality refers to the assumption that findings apply to all human humans regardless of culture.
-Research often overlooks cultural differences leading to biased conclusions that may not be valid for non-western populations..
what did Henrich et al say about the people psychologists usually study?
WEIRD - Westernised, Educated people from Industrialised, Rich Democracies = are most likely to be studied by psychologists
If a standard for particular behaviour is set by WEIRD people, then the behaviour of people from non-western, less educated, agricultural and poorer cultures is seen as abnormal or ‘unusual’.
Define ethnocentrism.
When researchers judge all cultures by the standards of their own culture. Assume that their cultural norms = superior/ universal = leading to misinterpretation of behaviours in different cultural contexts.
Extreme form of ethnocentrism = belief in the superiority of one’s own culture which may lead to prejudice and discrimination towards other cultures.
What is Ainsworth and Bell’s strange situation and example of and why?
Ethnocentrism = studied behaviour inside one culture + assumed the attachment could be applied universally = misinterpretation of child-rearing practices in Japan as most babies were insecurely attached.
Define cultural relativism.
Argues that behaviour should be understood within its cultural context = theories + findings must be considered in relation to specific cultural norms and values to prevent biased generalisation from one culture to another.
What did Berry (1969) propose?
Etic and Emic approaches.
What is etic psychology?
Etic psychology studies human behaviour using universal principles that apply across different cultures.
For example, researchers may find that emotions like happiness and sadness are experienced similarly worldwide.
what is emic psychology?
Emic psychology studies human behaviour from an insider’s perspective, focusing on culture-specific meanings and experiences.
What is Ainsworth and Bell’s research and example of in terms of cultural relativism?
Imposed Etic = they studied behaviour inside one culture (America) and then assumed their ideal attachment type could be applied universally.
What reduces culture bias?
Balancing emic and etic perspectives.
Give strengths of research into culture bias.
+ In age of increased media globalisation = individualistic-collectivist distinction no longer valid. Traditionally individualistic culture values independence and collectivist prioritise group needs. HOWEVER = Takano + Osaka (1999) = Us-Japan comparisons showed no cultural divide = culture bias is less relevant in research psychological research.
+ The emergence of cultural psychology is a positive outcome. It examines how people are shaped by their culture using the emic approach to avoid ethnocentric assumptions. Research conducted within cultures = decreases bias, broadening perspectives.
+ Conducting cross-cultural research challenges dominant individualistic thinking and viewing of the world.
Give limitations of research into culture bias.
- most influential research in psychology are culturally biased = eg Asch and Milgram OG studies conducted with US participants (white, middle class). Replication of these studies in diff countries produced diff results. Collectivist countries = high rates of conformity
- culture bias has led to prejudice against groups of people = Gould (1981) = intelligence tests were given to WW1 recruits including ethnocentric qs = lower scores for eastern + African Americans = culture bias can be used to justify prejudice and discrimination towards certain cultural and ethnic groups.
