Cultural Perspectives on Psychology and Well-Being

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture about cultural differences in psychology, emphasizing holistic vs. analytic thinking, emotional variability, dialecticism, and the impact of culture on psychological well-being.

Holistic Thinking

A thinking style where East Asians perceive connections and consider background influences, seeing the whole picture.

Analytic Thinking

A thinking style where North Americans focus on individual characteristics and ignore background context.

Emotional Variability

Fluctuations in emotion that can affect mental health, linked to conditions such as depression.

Dialecticism

A cognitive style that accepts change and contradictions; two opposite ideas can be true simultaneously.

Causal Attribution Models

Ways of explaining causes: individualistic cultures focus on internal attribution, while collectivistic cultures emphasize external attribution.

Relational Mobility

The ease with which individuals can make or leave relationships, affecting social connections.

Tight Cultures

Cultures with strict rules and less tolerance for deviation, often showing less impact from situations like COVID-19.

Loose Cultures

Cultures with weaker rules and greater tolerance for deviation, often showing greater impact from situations like COVID-19.

Culture-bound Syndromes

Mental health conditions that are influenced by cultural factors.

Universal Syndromes

Mental health conditions that have biological bases but vary in their expression across cultures.

Age-Group Predictors of Well-Being

Factors affecting well-being that differ by age group, such as priorities and concerns when growing older.

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)

A mental health disorder characterized by a fear of negative evaluation from others.

Stigma of Mental Illness

Cultural perceptions that can result in moral judgments about mental illness, impacting help-seeking behavior.

Well-Being Types

Cognitive well-being relates to life satisfaction, while affective well-being relates to daily feelings.

Positive Psychological Intervention (PPI)

Structured activities designed to improve well-being.

Cultural Perspectives on PPI

The recognition that cultural differences shape how concepts like strength and well-being are defined.

Gender Differences in Gratitude

Women tend to express gratitude more often than men, who may see it as a vulnerability.

Meta-Analysis of PPI Effectiveness

Studies showing small to moderate effects of PPI interventions, with cultural background influencing effectiveness.