S2 Topic 4 - Culture Flashcards
Define culture
a set of cognitions and practices that characterize a specific social group and distinguish it from others
What characterizes a culture? (4)
- a product of human interaction
- patterns of behaviour
- social collectives at different levels (racial, ethnic)
- impacted by social influence and group processes
How did the focus of social psychology shift over time?
Focus shifted from:
groups–>individual–>culture
What are 3 ways of constructing the self?
- Secularization
- Industrialization
- Enlightenment
Define secularization
an active pursuit of personal fulfillment
Define industrialization
a portable personal identity that doesn’t depend on one’s family, but is related to social structures
What are new notions in psychology related to culture? (3)
- personality is formed by culture
- culture impacts psychological development
- cross-cultural research contributes to child development theories and theories of socialization
Explain the Etic-Emic Distinction?
the difference between:
- psychological constructs that are culture-universal
- psychological constructs that are culture-specific
Distinguish between Etic and Emic
Give an example for each
Etic - analyzing behaviours by focusing on what is universal and be applied to all cultures
e.g., intimate relations
Emic - analyzing behaviours specific to a cultural setting
e.g., weddings
Distinguish between the independent self and the interdependent self (6)
Independent:
- impermeable boundary
- strong, unique traits are internalized
- traits of significant others are muted and external
Interdependent:
- permeable boundary
- strong traits are shared with significant others
- unique and internalized traits are muted
Define values
broad constructs used by individuals and societies to orient people’s specific attitudes and behaviour in an integrated and meaningful way
What are the 4 dimensions of culture?
- Power distance
- Uncertainty avoidance
- Masculinity vs Femininity
- Individualism vs Collectivism
Explain the cultural dimension of Power Distance (6)
Low power distance :
- democratic bosses
- limited dependence on bosses
- equality among workers
High power distance:
- autocratic bosses
- dependence on bosses
- inequality among workers
Explain the cultural dimension of Uncertainty Avoidance (8)
Low UA:
- few rules
- leader is facilitator
- open-ended learning
- less resistance to change
High UA:
- more formal rules
- leader is expert
- structured learning
- more resistance to change
Explain the cultural dimension of Masculinity vs Femininity (8)
Masculinity:
- conflict resolution by fighting
- stress on competition
- assertive and ambitious
- money and things are important
Femininity:
- conflict resolution by compromise
- stress on solidarity
- humility and modesty
- people and warm rels are important
Explain the cultural dimension of Individualism vs Collectivism
Individualistic culture: needs of individuals are more important than the needs of a group
Collectivist culture: interconnectedness between people play a central role in each person’s identity
What are the traits of individualistic cultures? (4)
- uniqueness
- autonomy
- independence
- self-sufficiency
What are the traits of collectivistic cultures? (4)
- promoting selflessness
- working as a group
- doing what’s best for society
- families/communities have a central role
Which are the 2 main dimensions of all cultures and which of the 4 cultural dimensions do they match?
Openness to change vs conservatism - individualism vs collectivism dimension
self-enhancement vs self-transcendence - power distance dimension
Distinguish between tight and loose cultures (2)
Tight - clearly defined and restrictive norms - hence violation of norms is strictly sanctioned
Loose - loosely defined norms - hence violation of norms is more tolerated
When is outgroup discrimination highest?
when individual orientation is collectivist and the ingroup is comparative
What moral principles do religions bring to a culture? (3)
- autonomy - individual rights
- community - interpersonal relational duties
- divinity - perceived natural ordained order of things
What is acculturation?
the process whereby individuals learn about the rules of behaviour characteristic of another culture
Name and explain the 4 different paths which lead to acculturation
- Integration - maintaining home culture but also relating to dominant culture
- Assimilation/inclusion - giving up home culture and embracing dominant culture
- Separation/segregation - maintaining home culture and being isolated from the dominant culture
- Marginalization/exclusion - giving up home culture and failing to relate properly to dominant culture
Which path to acculturation is the one most chosen by immigrants?
Integration
