Methodology: Cross-Cultural Studies

Question 1

Define ‘culture’.

Answer 1

The way of life (norms and values) of a group of people.

Question 2

Define ‘cross-cultural studies’.

Answer 2

A method which takes a sample from different cultural groups and compares the results of research to assess similarities and differences.

Question 3

What are cross-cultural studies mostly used for?

Answer 3

To investigate the nature-nurture debate as if the same results are found across cultures then it suggest nature is the cause, if different behaviours are shown then it is more likely nurture.

Question 4

Give an example of how cross-cultural studies can be used in clinical psychology.

Answer 4

Looking at the experiences of schizophrenic patients in different cultures to determine whether the same symptoms are presented or whether treatments are equally effective.

Question 5

Why is this important?

Answer 5

To understand differences in culture to avoid ethnocentric psychological practices

Question 6

Define ‘emics’.

Answer 6

Cultural specific practices.

Question 7

Define ‘etics’.

Answer 7

Universals that occur in a wide range of cultures.

Question 8

What are the IV and DVs for cross-cultural methods?

Answer 8

IV = Culture
DV = The focus of the study

Question 9

What are the 2 possible approaches to studying members of other cultures?

Answer 9

1) Replicative approach
- Researcher exports studies to other countries and carrying them out there, then comparing results with researcher’s own country
2) Anthropological approach
- Going to different societies and observing and interacting with people in their daily lives, trying to understand them and their culture

Question 10

Give 4 strengths of cross-cultural studies.

Answer 10

1) Not ethnocentric due to allowing the researcher to discover diversity and behaviour of different cultures
2) Low subjectivity as encourages the researcher to be wary of assuming people’s cultures and making biased decisions and so more consideration makes it objective
3) High generalisability due to many different people and cultures being represented
4) Can lead to increase on psychological understanding due to providing insight on cultural similarities and differences as everyone is providing data that can be assessed and compared

Question 11

Give 4 weaknesses of cross-cultural studies.

Answer 11

1) Time consuming and expensive due to travelling to the different locations to gather the data
2) Hard to find a large representative sample
3) Low reliability due to miscommunication issues of procedures being conducted differently in different cultures leading to inconsistency
4) Low validity as researcher may be bias due to preconceptions and different culture that leads to ethnocentric conclusions