Psychology and Culture Lecture Notes

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture on psychology and culture.

Cross-Cultural Psychology

A field of psychology that studies the psychological differences and similarities across cultures.

Cultural Norms

Shared beliefs and behaviors that are considered acceptable within a specific culture.

Individualism

A cultural orientation that emphasizes personal independence and individual achievement.

Collectivism

A cultural orientation that emphasizes group harmony and collective goals over individual goals.

Terror Management Theory

A theory suggesting that culture emerged as a psychological buffer against the fear of death.

Dynamic Social Impact Theory

A theory suggesting that culture emerges as a byproduct of interpersonal communication and social influence.

Cultural Frame Switching

The ability of individuals from multiple cultural backgrounds to switch between cultural paradigms depending on context.

Holistic Thinking

A cognitive style common in East Asian cultures that emphasizes context and the relationships between objects.

Analytical Thinking

A cognitive style prevalent in Western cultures that focuses on objects and their attributes independently of context.

Self-Criticism Bias

A tendency prevalent in collectivistic cultures, like East Asian cultures, to criticize oneself more than to enhance oneself.

Symbolic Immortality

A concept in which cultural beliefs provide a sense of enduring significance beyond individual life.