Issues & Debates- Cultural Bias Flashcards
Cultural bias -
Refers to a tendency to ignore cultural differences and interpret all phenomena through the ‘lens’ of one’s own culture.
Ethnocentrism -
Judging other cultures by the standards and values of one’s own culture. In its extreme form it is the belief in the superiority of one’s own culture which may lead to prejudice and discrimination towards other cultures.
Cultural relativism -
The idea that norms and values, as well as ethics and moral standards, can only be meaningful and understood within specific social and cultural contexts.
In 1992, what percentage of the world’s psychology researchers were American?
64% of the world’s 56,000 psychology researchers were American in 1992.
What percentage of studies cited in Baron and Byrne’s 1991 textbook on social psychology were conducted in North America?
94% of the studies cited in Baron and Byrne’s 1991 textbook were conducted in North America.
What does the dominance of American researchers and studies in psychology suggest about the field?
It suggests that psychology is mainly the study of white American males, raising concerns about cultural bias.
What claim do many psychologists make about their findings, despite conducting studies in limited cultural contexts?
Many psychologists claim to have discovered ‘facts’ about human behaviour that are ‘universal’.
What is the main criticism regarding the universality of psychological theories and models?
Critics argue that psychological findings often only apply to the specific groups studied, not universally.
How has mainstream psychology generally treated the influence of culture on human behaviour?
Mainstream psychology has largely ignored culture as an important influence on human behaviour.
What assumption is made when findings from individualist cultures are applied globally?
It is assumed that findings from individualist cultures can be straightforwardly applied worldwide, which is often inaccurate.
What did replications of Asch’s conformity and Milgram’s obedience studies in different cultures reveal?
Replications revealed very different results compared to the original US-based studies.
What is cultural bias in psychology?
Cultural bias occurs when behaviours from one culture are judged as the ‘norm’, and any deviations are seen as ‘abnormal’, ‘inferior’, or ‘unusual’.
What is ethnocentrism in the context of psychological research?
Ethnocentrism is a belief in the superiority of one’s own cultural group, often leading to the view that non-conforming behaviours are deficient or underdeveloped.
What is an example of ethnocentrism in psychological research?
Mary Ainsworth’s Strange Situation is an example, as it reflects American cultural norms and misinterprets child-rearing practices in other cultures.
What did Ainsworth identify as the key variable in attachment type?
Ainsworth identified the child’s experience of anxiety on separation as the key variable in attachment type.
How did Ainsworth’s Strange Situation misinterpret German child-rearing practices?
German mothers were seen as cold and rejecting rather than encouraging independence in their children.
What is an imposed etic in psychology?
An imposed etic occurs when a researcher assumes their culturally specific findings can be applied universally.
What is the difference between etic and emic approaches in studying human behaviour?
An etic approach looks at behaviour from outside a culture to identify universals, while an emic approach studies behaviour within a specific culture.
What is John Berry’s criticism of psychology’s approach to culture?
Berry argues that psychology often imposes an etic approach, assuming universality when findings are actually culture-specific.
What is cultural relativism in psychology?
Cultural relativism is the recognition that psychological findings may only make sense within the culture they were discovered.
What is the individualist-collectivist distinction in psychology?
Individualist cultures value personal freedom and independence, while collectivist cultures emphasize interdependence and group needs.
What did Yohtaro Takano and Eiko Osaka find regarding individualism and collectivism?
They found that 14 out of 15 studies comparing the USA and Japan found no evidence of the traditional individualism-collectivism distinction.
What does research by Ekman (1989) suggest about basic facial expressions?
Ekman’s research suggests that basic facial expressions for emotions like happiness or disgust are universal across humans and animals.
What are some universal features of human attachment?
Imitation and interactional synchrony are universal features of human attachment.
What is a challenge when conducting research in non-Western cultures?
Participants in non-Western cultures may not have the same familiarity with or faith in scientific testing, leading to exaggerated demand characteristics.
What issue arises when operationalizing variables in cross-cultural research?
Variables may not be experienced the same way across cultures, affecting the validity of the research.
How might the expression of aggression differ between cultures?
In China, invading personal space is seen as normal, while in the UK, it may be seen as threatening or confrontational.
What is a benefit of conducting cross-cultural research?
Cross-cultural research challenges individualist assumptions and promotes greater sensitivity to cultural relativism and individual differences.
Why is it recommended to include a local population member in cross-cultural research teams?
Including a local member helps ensure cultural sensitivity and validity, reducing the risk of misinterpretation or bias.
What does cross-cultural research help counter in psychology?
It counters the charge of ‘scientific racism’ and increases the validity of psychological conclusions by recognizing the role of culture.
What is an example of a variable that may not ‘travel well’ in cross-cultural research?
Emotions like aggression may be expressed differently across cultures, leading to misinterpretation.
Why is cultural relativism important in psychological research?
Cultural relativism ensures that findings are not overgeneralized and are understood within their cultural context, reducing bias.
What is the significance of recognizing both universals and cultural variations in human behaviour?
A full understanding of human behaviour requires studying both universals and variations to avoid overgeneralization and cultural bias.
