Module 6 1B Flashcards
Personality, Culture and Society: Research with non-Western Communities
Individualism vs. Collectivism: 1-9 scale.
Individualism: “I do my own thing.” “I want to do my job better than others.”
Collectivism: “I feel proud if a coworker gets a prize.” “Family should stick together.”
Link: Collective Orientation Scale.
WEIRD Psychology: Refers to Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic people.
Keller (2018): WEIRD psychology is an exception globally.
Henrich, Heine & Norenzayan (2010): Criticized Western-based psychology, noting it mainly reflects WEIRD individuals.
Link: The WEIRDest People in the World.
Cross-cultural studies: Test personality theories’ generalizability (Church, 2010).
Surge in interest due to:
Rejuvenated trait concept.
Big Five model (McCrae & Costa, 1996).
Focus on cultural dimensions (individualism vs. collectivism).
Culture and self in mainstream psychology.
Rise of indigenous psychologies.
Globalization of science.
Evolutionary Psychology:
Studies universal, evolved human traits
Key Mechanisms (Buss, 1996): Mate selection, cheating detection, status negotiation, coalition formation.
Broad Motives (Harris, 2006; Deci & Ryan, 2000): Socialization, relationships, autonomy, competence, relatedness.
Cultural Influence: Evolutionary mechanisms interact with environment and culture (evoked culture).
the idea that cultural differences can result from the responsiveness of evolved mechanisms to environmental conditions.
Strategic Pluralism: Mating strategies depend on the environment.
Fluctuating Selection: Trait levels vary by environment, influencing cultural differences.
Cross-cultural Perspectives: Compare cultures to find universals or differences (Church, 2010).
Culture: Static, outside the individual.
Personality Measurement: Uses scales, studies equivalence.
Big Five: Biologically-based, independent of culture (McCrae & Costa, 1996).
Heritability: Big Five traits 40%-60% heritable (Bouchard & Loehlin, 2001).
Replicability: Big Five replicates across cultures (McCrae & Allik, 2002).
Challenges:
Add sixth trait: honesty-humility (Lee & Ashton, 2008).
Only some traits replicate fully (De Raad et al., 2010).
Western inventories may bias results (Church, 2000).
Big Five: Describes personality in all cultures
Indigenous Psychologies: Focus on culture-specific theories (Church, 2010).
Examples:
Japanese: Amae (indulgent dependence).
Korean: Chong (affection), Chemyon (social face).
Mexican: Simpatia (conflict avoidance), Abnegacion (self-sacrifice).
Cultural Universals vs. Unique Constructs: Traits may reflect universal traits with cultural expressions (e.g., Mexican, Filipino).
Chinese Example: “Interpersonal relatedness” more relevant than openness.
Cultural Psychology: Culture and personality shape each other (Church, 2010).
Independent vs. Interdependent:
Independent: Autonomous, traits drive behavior.
Interdependent: Behavior shaped by relationships.
Non-Western Cultures: Less focus on traits (Heine, 2001).
Trait Consistency: East Asians less consistent than Europeans (Church et al., 2008).
Motivations: Westerners focus more on self-enhancement (Heine & Hamamura, 2007).
Keller (2018): Attachment theory is WEIRD-based and may not apply globally.
Ethical Concerns: Using attachment theory in parenting can have ethical impacts.
Cultural Differences: Care for children varies across cultures.
Parenting: Practices are adapted to local environments and histories.
Attachment Theory: Emotional bond with caregivers, leading to security or insecurity.
Internal Model: Early experiences shape future development.
Bowlby’s Universality:
Normativity: Secure attachment is common.
Sensitivity: Child-centered responsiveness is key.
Competence: Attachment affects overall development.
Baltimore Study: 66% secure, 22% insecure-avoidant, 12% ambivalent.
Keller (2018): Universality claim in attachment theory conflicts with cultural differences and evolutionary adaptation.
Evidence:
False Assumptions: Adaptation doesn’t equal universality (e.g., sickle cell anemia).
Sub-Saharan Africa: No common “stranger anxiety” in children.
Small-Scale Farming: Multiple caregivers, neutral facial expressions, and reduced stress with strange women.
Parenting: Involves directing activity, not just child-centered care.
Adaptation: Context-specific, not universal.
