Culture and Psychology Flashcards

Culture and Psychology

Definition of Culture

• Culture is defined as the shared rules that govern behavior.
• It acts as a filter through which we perceive and understand the world.
• Culture is largely a learned behavior, heavily influenced by upbringing.
• Some argue psychology itself is a cultural product, with researchers and participants performing culture.
• Different cultures hold varying beliefs about psychology; some may not believe in it at all.

Impact of Culture on Psychology

• Culture impacts all aspects of psychology, including clinical, sports, and applied psychology.
• It influences how we understand ourselves, others, and the world.
• Culture's pervasiveness affects every area of our lives and, consequently, every domain of psychology.

Elements of Culture

• Culture involves shared values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors.
• Rituals are used to identify members and foster unity within a culture.
• Examples include bonding rituals and cultural traditions like intermarried funerals.

Influences on Culture

• History significantly shapes culture.
• Individuals can be influenced by and belong to multiple cultures.
• Examples of cultural groups:
  • Country of birth.
  • Gender identity.
  • Age cohorts (e.g., baby boomers).
  • School and community.

Cultural Categories

• Any group or demographic variable can potentially represent a culture.
• Cultures operate with many unwritten rules.

Individualistic vs. Collectivist Cultures

• Individualistic Cultures:

  • Prioritize the individual over the group.
  • Common in Western cultures like the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia.

• Collectivist Cultures:

  • Emphasize the group over the individual.
  • Often found in Asian and Indigenous cultures, as well as some countries in South America and Africa.

Understanding of Self in Different Cultures

Individualistic Cultures

• The self is seen as separate from the group.
• Autonomy and independence are emphasized.
• Individuals are encouraged to pursue personal goals.
• Behavior is explained through individual decisions and attributions.

Collectivist Cultures

• The self is defined in relation to the group.
• The interests of the group are prioritized over the individual.
• Interdependence and solidarity are emphasized.
• The pursuit of group harmony is expected.
• Behavior is explained by adherence to group norms.

Cultural Understanding of Time

Monochronic Cultures

• Time is divided into linear segments.
• Common in Europe and the U.K.
• Time is seen as finite, with a clear beginning and end (e.g., a workday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

Polychronic Cultures

• Time is more fluid and not rigidly segmented.
• Common in the Middle East, South America, and Aboriginal/Maori societies.
• The past, present, and future are interconnected.
• Time can be seen as circular rather than linear.

Differences Between Monochronic and Polychronic Cultures

Monochronic Cultures

• Focus on one task at a time.
• Value making time commitments and meeting deadlines.
• Appointments and schedules are important.
• Time is rigid, divisible, and future-oriented.

Polychronic Cultures

• Multiple tasks can be carried out simultaneously.
• Time is flexible, and deadlines are less critical.
• Interactions with others are prioritized.
• Time is fluid and follows cycles, often determined by nature and seasons.
• The past is viewed as important and existing in the present.

Other Cultural Differences

Expression of Emotion

• Varies significantly between cultures; some may view overt expressions of emotion negatively.

Interpersonal Space

• The preferred physical distance between individuals varies by culture.

Conversational Distance

• Some cultures prefer closer proximity during conversation, while others prefer more distance.

Communication Styles

• High Context Cultures:

  • Pay attention to verbal and nonverbal cues, such as body language and tone of voice.

• Low Context Cultures:

  • Focus more on the content of the language, with less emphasis on gestures and expressions.

Cultural vs. Cross-Cultural Psychology

Cultural Psychology

• Studies culture, social practices, and their influence on cultural group members.
• An interdisciplinary field often involving collaboration with anthropologists.

Cross-Cultural Psychology

• Compares a specific construct or behavior across different cultures.
• Explores how culture influences human behavior and examines similarities and differences.

Example: Understanding of depression varies significantly across cultures (e.g., Australia vs. India, Japan, or China).

Challenges in Cross-Cultural Research

• Research methods may not be equally effective across different cultural groups.
• Measures can have different meanings across cultures.
• Samples may differ on factors unrelated to culture (e.g., socioeconomic status).
• Difficulty interpreting results due to unexpected directional differences.
• Potential for research bias in questionnaire design and assessment.
• Sensitivity issues may make it difficult to compare certain topics across cultures.