PSY331 - 8. Culture and Emotions Flashcards
Culture
Meanings, conceptions + interpretive schemes activated, constructed through participation in normative social institutions + practices (linguistic practices)…shaping psychological processes in individuals in a society.”
traditions, languages, practices, ideas
Culture
emotion isn’t always private physiological phenomenon
emotions can be culturally defined
emotional reality may be diff depending on culture
Methodological Problems Can’t
Most studied cultures are prosperous, modern cultures
that researchers have easy access to.
can’t generalize when looking at selective groups which may be more similar to North America
Methodological Problems Can’t
make conclusions about differences between (Americans + East Asians), but cultural differences within nations
lumping together - reductionist
Methodological Problems Can’t
rating scales are inconsistent
correlational studies so we can’t make causal claims
I. Cultural Difference in Emotion:
Display Rules - Friesen (1972)
Japs + Americans watched disgusting videos of
surgical procedures
1. Alone, then in presence of experimenter
I. Cultural Difference in Emotion:
Display Rules
Alone: Both groups expressed disgust
Experimenter: Only Japanese masked emotion
Matsumoto et al. (2005) – Americans express emotions
more visibly than Japanese or Russians
I. Cultural Difference in Emotion:
Display Rules
display rules come into play
culturally sensitive to authority figure and show deference
more appropriate to show
I. Cultural Difference in Emotion:
Display Rules
who we show it to changes
acquiantances and less to family and friends - asians
opposite in north america
Cultural Difference in Expression: Butler, Lee, & Gross (2009)
correlational
Pairs of European- and Asian-American women discussed upsetting WWII film
Cultural Difference in Expression: Butler, Lee, & Gross (2009)
EAs: less expressive Ps showed greater increases in blood pressure (showed same stress response)
EAs value expressiveness more
Cultural Difference in Expression: Butler, Lee, & Gross (2009)
AAs: less expressive Ps showed no blood pressure
increase
suppression maybe more natural response, less threatening to not show
Intensity of Emotions: Matsumoto, 1990
Show subtle expressions in Japan; stronger ones in U.S.
less intensity display in Asians more typical
diff in sympathetic activation to not expressing emotion intensity
Dialect Theory: Elfenbein et al. (2007)
2 French-speaking regions, Quebec + Gabon (Africa) posed
different emotional expressions
Subtle, but consistent, differences
Cultural Difference in Expression: Jack, Caldara & Schyns (2012)
Western Caucasian vs. East Asian’s representations of 6 basic facial expressions of emotions
noticing + representing emotions diff based on our culture
Cultural Difference in Expression: Jack, Caldara & Schyns (2012)
Western Caucasians’ representations featured
eyebrows + mouth
East Asians’ representations preference for expressive information in eye region (including changes of gaze direction)
Cultural Difference in Emotion Labels: Shaver, Wu, & Schwartz (1992)
Chinese and US
individuals see anger, sadness, fear + happiness essentially same way
Cultural Difference in Emotion Labels: Shaver, Wu, & Schwartz (1992)
Chinese: love = closer to “sad love”; negative
arranged marriages - separating force rather than attractive force
Shame = basic emotion
Cultural Difference in Emotion Labels
Situation (semteende) = embarrassing
refers more to the situation than own response
Cultural Difference in Emotion Labels
Bodily reaction (sadness vs. sickness)
more likely to refer to the body being sick vs mind being sad
mental illnesses being more frowned upon and ignored
The Social Construction of Emotion: Scherer et al. (1988)
diff cultures react to diff events with diff emotions
diff display rules or appraisals which influence emotional reactions towards same ppl
The Social Construction of Emotion: Scherer et al. (1988)
Strangers were associated with fear far less for Japanese than European + American individuals
The Social Construction of Emotion
Anger was associated much more highly with strangers for the Japanese sample + with close relationships for Europeans and Americans.
The Social Construction of Emotion: Mascolo et al. (2003)
USA: “3-year-old Danny + mother putting together puzzle. Danny places a piece in its correct location. Immediately, says, “Oh! I did it!” Mother smiles and says, “You
did it!” Danny claps his hands, after mother applauds and says, “That’s great!”
The Social Construction of Emotion: Mascolo et al. (2003)
China: “Mother asks 3 year old Lin to sing song for guests.
smiles and exaggerated expressions, guests say, “Wonderful! You sing nicer than my child!” Mother replies, “she is O.K. kind of off the tune, though.” To Lin, “You did all right, but now you need more practice. Play down your
success!”
The Social Construction of Emotion: Mascolo et al. (2003)
US: take more pride in little achievement
China: exaggerate praise for other children. tell own children not to feel proud, they can do better. so they feel less proud and harmonize through self-effacement
The Social Construction of Emotion:
Mascolo et al. (2003)
US: exciting + adventure stories - more ideal
China: calm stories - ideal
children learn emotional restraint through socialization
Cultural Difference in Emotion Labels
some cultures have different/no words for basic emotions
Disgust: missing polish and chewong
Cultural Difference in Concepts of Emotion: Haidt and Keltner (1999)
Ps in U.S. + Eastern India
(Oriya) saw photos of several emotional facial expressions.
shame + embarrassment = lajya
schemas are driven by culture and language
Cultural Difference in Concepts of Emotion: Haidt and Keltner (1999)
But, came up with similar situations to describe expression as U.S. Ps did.
can cognitively differentiate betw shame + embarrassment despite not having diff words
Cultural Difference in Concepts of Emotion: Haidt and Keltner (1999)
Hyper-cognize: compartments (terms) for ideas, more elaborated schemas
more central to culture = more elaboration
Cultural Difference in Concepts of Emotion: Haidt and Keltner (1999)
Hypo-cognize: less constructs, networks, less words for intensity - concept not as elaborated
Cultural Difference in Concepts of Emotion: Haidt and Keltner (1999)
subtle influence - culture influences communication + categorization in our mind
differences in words, but not to say they can’t experience the diff shades of emotions
II. Aspects of Culture that Predict Differences in Emotion: Markus and Kitayama (1991)
individualism/collectivism continuum
Western cultures high on individualism: independence, uniqueness, own values, talk more about selves
II. Aspects of Culture that Predict Differences in Emotion: Markus and Kitayama (1991)
Most other cultures (South + East Asian) high on collectivism: value group, deference, harmony, social connection, value more interdependent emotions
II. Aspects of Culture that Predict Differences in Emotion: Markus and Kitayama (1991)
interdependence, talk more about family and friends
more important to show emotions that maintain group harmony
Singelis (1994) Measure of Independence + Interdependence Scale
My happiness depends on happiness of those around me.
I will sacrifice my self-interest for benefit of the group
It is important to me to respect decisions made by the group.
Singelis (1994) Measure of Independence + Interdependence Scale
comfortable with being singled out for praise or rewards able to take care of myself is a primary concern for me.
enjoy being unique + diff from others in many respects.
Individualism/Collectivism: Tsai, Simenova, and Watanabe (2004)
continuum of mindset - culture tells you what’s most appropriate way
Ps were Chinese American young adults
Some were more acculturated than others
depending on how acculturated, topics differed
Individualism/Collectivism
less acculturated => spoke more about social or collective topics (friends, family, getting advice)
culture you are a part of influences worldview more
- Individualism vs. Collectivism: Cohen and Gunz (2002)
NA + Asians described experiences from memory
NA described how they felt
Asians described how they thought people around them felt
Triandis, McCusker, and Hui (1990)
Chinese and American Ps completed the phrase “I am …” 20 times
Chinese Ps were 3 times more likely than Americans
to list group membership as part of their identity
Triandis, McCusker, and Hui (1990)
Americans mainly listed things that made them
different from others…
Chinese participants listed similarities
Hung, Morris, Chiu, & Benet-Martinez
2000
Ps describe behaviour of fish in front
Americans = leading
Chinese = being chased
Hung, Morris, Chiu, & Benet-Martinez
2000
diff attribution of emotion experience of fish from diff interpretation of situation
Self-Conscious Emotions?: Stipek (1998)
American + Chinese university students read several scenarios: rated pride, guilt, shame
P/P’s brother caught cheating
P/P’s child accepted to prestigious university
Stipek (1998) - Cheating
chinese felt more guilt and shame overall
collectivistic: more shame and guilt on behalf of brother
Stipek (1998) - Cheating
interdependent cultures see other ppl entangled with social relationships
independent: less shame and guilt when bro got busted
Stipek (1998) - University
Americans equally proud if self/child was accepted
Chinese more proud if child was accepted
indicated more appropriate to feel pride for others’ accomplishments than own
Stipek (1998) - University
for interdependent - activity of family members can lead to more self-conscious emotions even may be stronger than for self
Imada & Ellsworth (2011): Appraisals?
American + Japanese Ps:
IV: Recalled (Study 1) or imagined (Study 2) personal success/failure situation
Imada & Ellsworth (2011): Appraisals?
DVs: Reported agency appraisals + emotions (for success)
Americans had stronger self-agency emotions (pride)
Japanese had stronger situation-agency emotions (luck)
Individualism vs. Collectivism: Kitayama et al. (2004)
Interdependent cultures report more intense socially engaged emotions (friendliness, respect, guilt, shame…)
more about harmony, respect
Individualism vs. Collectivism: Kitayama et al. (2004)
Independent cultures report more intense socially disengaged emotions (pride, anger, frustration)
Individualism vs. Collectivism: Mequita (2001)
Ps recalled positive, offensive, and immoral experiences.
Collectivist cultures: More aware of how situations would be perceived by others; felt emotional meaning of situations was more obvious
more attuned to social pressures of situation
Individualism vs. Collectivism: Mequita (2001)
Individualistic cultures: Thought interpretations, feelings, and actions were personal, non obvious, and unlikely to be shared
Individualism vs. Collectivism
Emotional situations are interpreted in-line with
cultural norms
Collectivistic cultures appraise situations in terms of
how the emotions affect the group
Individualism vs. Collectivism
Individualistic cultures appraise situations in terms of
how the emotions impact their own internal
states/needs.
- Power Distance: Vertical vs. Horizontal Societies: Matsumoto (1996)
Vertical societies emphasize social hierarchy; encourage
emotions/behaviours that reinforce status differences
Horizontal societies minimize attention to status
differences (egalitarianism)
- Power Distance: Vertical vs. Horizontal Societies
emphasize emotions relative to power positions
show respect to older sibling, honour authority
appropriate for powerful ppl to express emotions
- Power Distance: Vertical vs. Horizontal Societies
seldom acknowledge power differences
authority is limited to certain domains (cop)
ppl seldom talk about income - pretending to be egalitarian
Power Distance: Vertical vs. Horizontal Societies
Rural Nepal: Brahman Hindu children higher status
than Tamang (Buddhist) children
Brahman children more likely to say they would feel
and express anger in many situations
Power Distance: Vertical vs. Horizontal Societies
Tamang children said they almost never would feel
anger; instead, feel shame or “just okay”
Status could play a role, or Buddhist teachings to
maintain calm, balanced attitude
- Linear vs. Dialectical Epistemology
Epistemology = Theories about what it means to understand something
Linear epistemology = knowing involves understanding:
what is constant and unchanging about something
- Linear vs. Dialectical Epistemology
how it differs from other things: individual properties seperate from others
elements that makes up these things
what is true vs. false, right or wrong
western: linear
Linear vs. Dialectical Epistemology
Dialectical epistemology emphasizes that true knowledge involves understanding: reality is changing
daoism, confucism
Linear vs. Dialectical Epistemology
all things are interrelated
same proposition can be true and false, from different perspectives
Linear vs. Dialectical Epistemology
no consistency or seperation
true from one angle and false from another angle
diff realities
Linear vs. Dialectical Epistemology
Cultures with a linear epistemology are less likely to
experience mixed emotions.
positive and negative emotions are mutually exclusive - bipolar scale
Linear vs. Dialectical Epistemology
Ps from dialectical East Asia (vs. linear America) are
more likely to report simultaneously feeling positive & negative emotions
monopolar scales and independent
Linear vs. Dialectical Epistemology
Japanese feel more mixed emotions than Americans in
pleasant situations but not in unpleasant or mixed situations
Linear vs. Dialectical Epistemology: Bicultural Study - Perunovic, Heller & Rafaeli (2007)
East Asian immigrants to Canada filled out questionnaire 3 times for 10 days
When with Canadians of European ancestry speaking English, positive + negative affect were inversely associated
Linear vs. Dialectical Epistemology: Bicultural Study
When with Asians speaking an Asian language, the inverse
association disappeared
when with asians - reverted to dialectical
interact with others in a way more culturally consistent
Linear vs. Dialectical Epistemology: Shiota et al. (2010)
Same-ethnicity Asian + European-American dating couples videotaped during structured conversations.
After every conversation, each person rated his/her emotions during the conversation.
Linear vs. Dialectical Epistemology: Shiota et al. (2010)
European Americans reported feeling either love or
corresponding negative emotion.
Asian Americans reported feeling love and negative
emotion at same time.
Linear vs. Dialectical Epistemology: Shiota et al. (2010)
asian: positively correlated
EA: negatively correlated
Mesquita and Karasawa (2002)
Asian participants more likely to use midpoint of scale when reporting feelings on scale from very pleasant to very unpleasant to account for feelings of both
Mesquita and Karasawa (2002)
Americans reported high pleasant feelings much more
than high unpleasant feelings
inclined to respond with more pleasant part of bipolar scales
asians go in middle
- Cultures of Honour
Cultures of honour (South American countries; American South and West) experience + react more angrily
+ violently to insults to honour
- Cultures of Honour
ppl from south were more apt to respond to insult with higher levels of cortisone + testosterone
aggression to regain honour
- Cultures of Honour
more dominant posturing and behaviour
ppl in cultures of honour who go right up to their face before moving out of the way
Essay completion measure
party when Jill pulled Steve aside. “What’s wrong?” asked Steve
“Larry, knows that you and I are engaged, but he’s already made two passes at me tonight.”
Steve decided to keep his eye on Larry. Within five minutes, Larry was reaching over and trying to kiss Jill.
Results
Little did Larry know that Steve was packing heat. Ol’
Steve went out to his car to get his Remington Semiautomatic that was the end of Larry.
Results
Enjoying each other in an upstairs bedroom the two had nothing to worry about, until Psycho Steve came through the door with a meat cleaver and a .38. Larry got the meat cleaver in the chest seven times and once in the right thigh. Jill got two rounds from the .38 in her head.
Results
“Hey Larry, I think you’ve had a little too much to drink, try to remember that Jill’s engaged. Larry told him not to worry, that he was just being friendly. Larry turned to walk away and muttered “prick” under his breath.
Aggressiveness of Story Completions
when not insulted - no honour hurt northerner more aggressive
once insulted, aggression increases significantly
aggression is more appropriate once insulted in cultures of honour
A. Paul Ekman (1972) Neuro-Cultural Theory of Emotion
Events may elicit particular appraisals/interpretations => an emotion
sequences are innate, embedded as program in brain
situation X interprets it, which lead to ….
A. Paul Ekman (1972) Neuro-Cultural Theory of Emotion
emotion involves biological features like ANS
changes, cognitive biases, and facial expressions initiated by universal facial action programs
Paul Ekman (1972) Neuro-Cultural Theory of Emotion
With effort, we can override expressions triggered by
biological facial action program.
actions that follow from experience of an emotion can vary from culture to culture
Paul Ekman (1972) Neuro-Cultural Theory of Emotion
Display rules prominent part of the cultural system, helping to guide a consistent pattern of social interaction
actions from emotion changes, not in experience + physical reaction
Paul Ekman (1972) Neuro-Cultural Theory of Emotion
cultural diff are automatic patterns
interpretation may be diff to same stimulus
but emotional hardware is still universal
B. James Russell (1991) - Emotion
Episodes as Socially Constructed Scripts
Emotion sequences socially constructed scripts
Cultural scripts can differentially emphasize + change emotional components
Some combinations more common than others = universal recognition
practiced patterns of behaviour learned from environment
B. James Russell (1991) - Emotion
Episodes as Socially Constructed Scripts
diff cultures emphasize diff things - perceived causes - supernatural elements, mental illness
similar problems we deal with in same ways
universality because of similar ways of reacting to similar situations
C. Dacher Keltner and Jonathan Haidt (1999) - Levels of Analysis
evolution vs. social construction conflicts occur because of confusion over levels of analysis
work together to impact emotional experience
Function at 4 levels of analysis:
C. Dacher Keltner and Jonathan Haidt (1999) - Levels of Analysis
Intra-individual level = emotions help individuals
survive/reproduce
small diff - fight or flight
C. Dacher Keltner and Jonathan Haidt (1999) - Levels of Analysis
Dyadic level = emotions help two people form/maintain
mutually beneficial relationship (nurturing love)
doesn’t seem to show much cultural diff
a lot of innate natural emotional phenomenons
oxytocin - nurture
C. Dacher Keltner and Jonathan Haidt (1999) - Levels of Analysis
Small groups = emotions help negotiate social roles
diff in power structures, how emotions are used
Keltner and Haidt (1999)’s Levels of Analysis: Evolution or Social Construction?
Level of the culture = teaching society’s values
large cultural diff
stories to teach values
Keltner and Haidt (1999)’s Levels of Analysis: Evolution or Social Construction?
first two levels more evolution
last two more culture - allow more room for variation
discourage emotions that break down group
genders are diff encouraged in emotions to maintain roles
Integrating Evolutionary and Cultural Approaches Summary
Appraisal => Emotional experience
Emotional experience/physiology => Behaviour
Frequency of various appraisals differs by culture
Integrating Evolutionary and Cultural Approaches Summary
nervous system changes - less likely for behaviour
Behaviour is under conscious control, so there should
be more cultural rules regarding emotional responses
Cultural Influences on Emotion Summary
Aspects of culture are socially constructed (hyper +
hypo-cognized emotions)
Cultural differences involve different emotion processes
(appraisals/expressions)
Cultural Influences on Emotion Summary
Aspects of culture predict differences in emotion (power distance, epistemology, collectivism)
Keltner & Haidt’s levels of analysis integrates evolutionary
and cultural approaches
Cultural Influences on Emotion Summary
language tells us which emotions are more important
yes at culture and group level its more social constructionist
