PSY 342 Exam 4; Chapter 13-15 + 10 From Each Chapter

Chapter 13: 

• (Lack of) Role of Genes in Differences in Health

  • Health disparities between cultural groups are largely due to environmental, cultural, and social factors, not genetic ones.

    •  Key connection: Supports the idea that cultural context shapes health outcomes more than biology.

• Acquired Physical Variation

  • Differences in physical traits caused by environment (e.g., climate, diet, lifestyle) rather than genes.

    • Example: Kenyans may be tall and lean due to diet and activity levels, not genetic superiority in running.

• Epidemiological Paradox

  • Some immigrant groups (like Latinx Americans) show better health outcomes than expected based on low SES.

    • Example: Lower infant mortality despite poverty.

    • Key connection: Linked to tight family networks, healthy cultural practices, and low substance use.

• French Paradox

  • Despite a diet high in fat, the French have lower rates of heart disease, possibly due to portion control, mealtime culture, and relaxed eating habits.

    • Key connection: Highlights how cultural habits mediate health outcomes.

• Consequences of SES

  • Lower socioeconomic status = higher stress, worse nutrition, limited access to healthcare, and overall poorer health.

    • Key connection: Culture influences how SES impacts health — e.g., collectivist cultures may buffer effects with social support.

• Lack of Control and Health

  • Feeling powerless or lacking autonomy increases stress and worsens health.

    • Example: In low-SES jobs with no decision-making power, stress-related illness is more common.

    • Key connection: Individualistic cultures may place more value on personal control; the lack is more damaging.

• Relative Deprivation

  • Feeling disadvantaged compared to others, even if your basic needs are met, can cause stress and poor health outcomes.

    • Example: Middle-income people in unequal societies may feel more stress than poorer people in equal ones.

    • Key connection: Tied to cultural values around fairness and competition.

Chapter 14: 

• Culture-Bound Syndrome

  • Mental health conditions that are unique to a particular culture and shaped by local beliefs.

    • Example: Ataque de nervios in Latin cultures (shouting, crying after stress).

    • Key connection: Shows how culture shapes expression and understanding of distress.

• Universal Syndrome

  • Mental illnesses that occur across cultures (e.g., depression, schizophrenia) but differ in expression, diagnosis, or stigma.

    • Example: Depression = sadness in U.S.; somatic pain in China.

    • Key connection: Underlying disorders may be the same, but culture shapes how they look and feel.

• Cultural Competence

  • The ability of mental health professionals to understand and respect clients' cultural backgrounds.

    • Key connection: Crucial for avoiding misdiagnosis and improving treatment outcomes.

• Voodoo Death

  • When people die from extreme fear or belief in curses, often due to cultural beliefs.

    • Key connection: Shows psychological and cultural beliefs can influence physical health directly.

• 5. Somatization

  • Expressing psychological distress as physical symptoms (e.g., fatigue, headaches).

    • Example: Common in East Asian cultures.

    • Key connection: Cultural norms may discourage emotional disclosure → symptoms become physical.

• Psychologization

  • Expressing distress in emotional or psychological terms (e.g., sadness, hopelessness).

    • Example: Common in Western cultures where emotional expression is encouraged.

Chapter 15: 

• Social Loafing

  • People put in less effort when working in a group, assuming others will carry the load.

    • Example: Common in individualistic cultures where personal accountability is emphasized.

• Social Striving

  • People work harder in groups to support group goals.

    • Example: Common in collectivist cultures (e.g., Japan, China).

• Types of Leaders

  • Leadership varies by culture — some emphasize collaboration, others hierarchy or charisma.

    • Key connection: Culture shapes expectations for leadership and authority.

• Principle of Need

  • Resources are given to those who need them most.

    • Example: Welfare policies, disaster relief.

    • Common in: Egalitarian or collectivist cultures.

• Principle of Equality

  • Everyone gets the same amount, regardless of input or need.

    • Example: Splitting a group project grade evenly.

    • Key connection: Emphasizes fairness in uniformity, common in tight-knit communities.

• Principle of Equity

  • Rewards are based on individual contribution or merit.

    • Example: Performance-based bonuses.

    • Common in: Individualistic, capitalist cultures (e.g., U.S., Germany).

• Seniority System

  • Rewards are based on length of service or age.

    • Key connection: Reflects respect for tradition and hierarchy, common in East Asia.

• Just World Belief

  • Belief that people get what they deserve.

    • Example: Blaming the poor for being lazy.

    • Key connection: Can justify inequality and influence cultural attitudes toward success and punishment.

• Altruistic Punishment

  • Punishing someone who breaks group rules, even at personal cost, to uphold fairness.

    • Example: Paying to punish cheaters in a game.

    • Key connection: Promotes cooperation in groups.

• Antisocial Punishment

  • Punishing someone who cooperates or plays fair, often due to envy or revenge.

    • Example: A low-contributor punishing a high-contributor.

    • More common in: Cultures with low trust or weak rule of law.

• Distributive Justice

  • Cultural rules for how resources should be shared — includes principles of need, equality, and equity.

    • Key connection: Shows how fairness is culturally defined.

• Meritocracy

  • Belief that success is based on effort and ability, not birth or status.

    • Common in: U.S. and other individualist cultures.

    • Key connection: Can lead to overlooking structural barriers to success.

• Dictator Game

  • One person decides how to split money with another; the second person has no say.

    • Key connection: Used to study fairness and generosity across cultures.

• Public Goods Game

  • Players contribute to a shared pool; everyone benefits.

    • Example: Recycling or paying taxes.

    • Key connection: Cooperation varies by trust, norms, and punishment strategies.

• Power Distance

  • How comfortable a culture is with unequal power distribution.

    • High: Philippines, Malaysia (accept hierarchy)

    • Low: Denmark, Sweden (prefer equality)

    • Key connection: Affects leadership, obedience, classroom behavior, and workplace dynamics.