Issues/Debates: Cultural bias

Question 1

Hare-Mustin and Jeanne Marecek argues that Alpha and Beta bias can be applied to cultural differences as well as gender

Answer 1

Alpha bias in culture: assumes there are real differences in cultures e.g collectivist (japan) and individualist (US)
(-) however study on conformity suggested this may not be true

Beta bias in culture: minimises differences, typically psychological research assumes western culture can be applied to all cultures e.g IQ tests developed by western world suggests collectivist cultures are less intelligent when really they may just not fit the Western ideal for what is ‘intelligence’

Question 2

Ethnocentrism

Answer 2

Refers to the use of your own cultural beliefs as the basis of your judgment about other groups - assumes these beliefs are the correct ones (usually western culture)
• Alpha bias: ethnocentrism leads to it when ones own culture is assumed to be different and better and others are devalued e.g collectivist culture children are more dependent (seen as undesirable)
• Beta bias: assumes all cultures are the same and US standards are universal e.g standards of intelligence in IQ test

Question 3

Cultural relativism

Answer 3

The view behaviour cannot be judged properly unless it is viewed in the context of the culture in which it originates

Question 4

Evaluation

Answer 4

(+) worldwide psychology community meets a lot more now than it did 50 years ago thus enthocentlrism should reduce
(-) research methods in psychological studies are usually biased, usually only use people from one culture and apply this to all cultures e.g Asch sample was all US