Theoretical Frameworks in Cross-Cultural Psychology

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers theoretical frameworks, cultural dimensions, and acculturation strategies within cross-cultural psychology, based on the provided lecture notes.

Theoretical Frameworks

Broader organizing perspectives that guide how researchers think about culture and behavior, shaping entire approaches to studying human differences.

Cultural Relativism

The idea that behavior should be understood within its own cultural context rather than judged by another culture’s standards.

Ethnocentrism

The tendency to view one’s own culture as superior; a bias that cross-cultural psychology actively tries to avoid.

Individualistic Cultures

Cultures that emphasize independence and personal goals, commonly found in the U.S. and Western Europe.

Collectivist Cultures

Cultures that emphasize group harmony and interdependence, common in many Asian and African societies.

Cultural Syndromes

Patterns of shared attitudes, values, and behaviors within a group that help explain why people in the same culture behave similarly.

Emic Approach

A methodological framework that studies behavior from within a single culture, focusing on culture-specific and unique aspects.

Etic Approach

A methodological framework that compares behavior across cultures using universal measures and tools.

Absolutism

An approach that assumes human behavior is largely the same across cultures and views cultural differences as superficial or minor.

Universalism

A middle ground between absolutism and relativism suggesting basic psychological processes are universal but expressed differently across cultures.

Dimensional Approach to Culture

An approach that compares cultures along measurable dimensions, such as Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions Theory.

Ecocultural Framework

Associated with John Berry, this framework emphasizes how ecological and environmental factors, like lifestyle and agriculture, shape culture and trait behavior.

Sociocultural Framework

A perspective focusing on how social institutions like family, education, and religion influence behavior through roles and norms.

Cultural Evolution Framework

Examines how cultures develop and change over time through processes like innovation, diffusion, and cultural transmission.

Social Identity Theory

Developed by Henri Tajfel and expanded by John Turner, it explains how an individual’s sense of self is influenced by membership in social groups.

Social Categorization

The process of sorting individuals into social types to simplify the social environment.

Social Identification

The process of adopting the norms, values, and emotions of the group to which one belongs (the in-group).

Social Comparison

Evaluating one’s own group relative to others to maintain or enhance a positive self-view.

Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions Theory

A framework developed by Geert Hofstede identifying dimensions like Power Distance and Uncertainty Avoidance to understand cultural value differences.

Power Distance

A dimension referring to how much less powerful members of a society accept and expect that power is distributed unequally.

Uncertainty Avoidance

Describes how comfortable a culture behaves regarding uncertainty and ambiguity, with high avoidance preferring rules and structure.

Integration (Biculturalism)

An acculturation strategy where an individual maintains their original culture while also engaging with the new host culture.

Assimilation

An acculturation strategy involving letting go of the original culture to fully adopt the customs and traditions of a new society.

Separation

An acculturation strategy where a person maintains their original culture but avoids interaction with the new culture.

Marginalization

An acculturation strategy where an individual loses connection with both their heritage culture and the new society.

Horizontal (Equality)

A dimension refined by Harry Triandis where people in a culture see each other as equal.

Vertical (Hierarchy)

A dimension refined by Harry Triandis where people in a culture accept inequality and differences in status and rank.

Horizontal Individualism

A cultural pattern where individuals are independent but see themselves as equal to others.

Vertical Individualism

A cultural pattern where individuals are independent and competitive, emphasizing being the best.

Horizontal Collectivism

A cultural pattern focused on group orientation and cooperation among equals.

Vertical Collectivism

A cultural pattern that is group-oriented and maintains hierarchy, involving respect for elders and authority.

Indigenous Psychology

Understanding human behavior through local cultures, traditions, and worldviews rather than relying solely on Western theories.

Ubuntu

An African philosophy meaning 'I am because we are,' which emphasizes community and interdependence over individualism.