2013 Cengage Learning

The Goals of Psychology

Psychology is well-equipped to meet the challenge of cultural diversity

First goal: build body of knowledge about people Second goal: take body of knowledge and apply it to intervene in people's lives

Applied psychologists engage in lifelong learning process to help intervene in people's lives Theories tested for validity both in science and on streets

Cultural Psychology and Cross-Cultural Research

WEIRDOS (Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic cultures) are not representative of all humans Is what we know about human behavior true for all people? Cross-cultural research: tests cultural parameters of psychological knowledge

Involves inclusion of people of different cultural backgrounds

Cultural psychology: phenomenon of understanding cultural influences on behavior

The Contribution of the Study of Culture On Psychological Truths

Important to incorporate a cultural perspective in mainstream psychology Knowledge created in psychology should be accurate and descriptive of all people Cross-cultural research tests whether what is true for some is also true for others Cultural diversity in findings and cultural differences in research are widespread Multicultural psychology incorporates psychologies of cultures around world

The Contribution of the Study of Culture In Our Own Lives

Practicing cultural psychology is an exercise in critical thinking:

Is what we know true for all people regardless of their cultural backgrounds? Under what conditions do differences occur, and why? What is it about culture that produces such differences? What factors other than culture contribute to these differences?

The Growth of Cultural Psychology and Cross-Cultural Research

Cultural psychology has made substantial impact in psychology worldwide Popularity of cultural psychology due to importance of culture on behavior Intercultural conflicts led to much interest in cross-cultural research Theoretical models are increasingly incorporating culture Increased interest in cultural psychology is a normal and healthy development

WHAT IS CULTURE?

What is Culture?

Many people use culture, race, nationality, and ethnicity interchangeably Culture:

Describes activities or behaviors Refers to heritage or tradition Describes rules and norms Describes learning or problem solving Defines organization of group Refers to origins of a group

Where Does Culture Come From?

Ecology: types of places where people live has major impact on how they live Resources: natural and monetary affect culture People: group living, needs, and motives influence culture Universal psychological toolkit: aptitude and cognitive abilities help people adapt to environment Individuals differ in how much they have or use their toolkits, but all have similar toolkits

A Definition of Culture

Function of culture:

Provides guidelines or roadmaps on what to do, how to think, and what to feel Ways of living take advantage of toolkits to meet basic human needs
Unique information system, shared by group, and transmitted across generations Allows group to meet basic needs, pursue well-being, and derive meaning from life

Definition of culture:

Is Culture a Uniquely Human Product?

Many animals are social In animal societies, clear social networks and hierarchies exist Many animals invent and use tools Many animals communicate with each other Characteristics of human life that differentiates it from those of animals: complexity, differentiation, and institutionalization

The Difference Between "Society" and "Culture"

Society: system of interrelationships among people Human societies are complex Culture: meanings and information that are associated with social networks Human cultures give concept of family own unique meaning Different human cultures assign different meanings to family

Groups That Have Cultures

Nationality Language Ethnicity Gender Disability Sexual orientation

Contrasting Culture, Race, Personality, and Popular Culture

Race is more of social construction than biological essential Racial" differences are of little scientific or practical use Personality: unique constellation of traits, attributes, qualities, and characteristics Culture is relatively stable across individuals, whereas personality is vastly different Popular culture does not involve sharing a wide range of psychological attributes

THE CONTENTS OF CULTURE

The Contents of Culture

Objective elements

Architecture, clothes, foods, art, and eating utensils Mass media, music, Facebook, and Twitter Values and beliefs

Subjective elements

Norms: generally accepted standards of behavior for cultural group Attitudes: evaluations of things occurring in ongoing thoughts Worldviews: belief systems about world

HOW DOES CULTURE INFLUENCE HUMAN BEHAVIORS AND MENTAL PROCESSES?

How Does Culture Influence Human Behaviors And Mental Processes?

Culture influences psychological processes Enculturation: process of learning about ones culture beginning at birth Culture, situational context, and individual factors influence mental processes System by which culture influences mental processes is dynamic Relationship between culture and individual behaviors is a reciprocal, dynamic one

Understanding Culture in Perspective: Universals and Culture-Specifics

There are many psychological processes in which all humans engage Attributions: ability to recognize others as intentional agents while drawing inferences Because human cultures exist in unique environments, differences exist among cultures Making attributions is universal, but people may differ in the way they make them Same psychological process may be done differently when comparing human cultures

Etics and Emics

Etics: universal psychological processes Emics: culture-specific processes Each culture has had different combinations of geography, climate, resources, precious culture, and contact with other cultures People are very similar in their basic needs Cultures have long histories of having worked for many generations