Introduction to Cross-Cultural Psychology
Introduction to Cross-Cultural Psychology
What is culture? Culture is a particular society at a particular time and the knowledge and values shared by that society and psychology is the science of mental life. Therefore, it goes without saying that cultural psychology is the science of mental life in a particular society at a particular time. According to the text “cross-cultural psychology is the critical and comparative study of cultural effects on human psychology and cultural psychology seeks to discover meaningful links between a culture and the psychology of individuals living in this culture (Shiraev & Levy, 2010).” Because there is a need for understanding of cultural psychology, cultural and cross-cultural psychologies are closely related yet have many differences as well. Cross-cultural psychology is all about the comparisons of societies and due to these comparisons critical thinking plays a critical role. The methods of cross-cultural research are used to assist in the understanding of why cross-cultural psychology is so important to society today and the understanding of it.
Cultural vs. Cross-cultural
“The main implication of the difference between individualism and collectivism concerns the relationship between an individual and a group (Lu and Kao, 2002).” Cultural psychology deals with a single society and all of the elements that make the society what it is. Cultural psychology studies the factors of culture, society, race, and ethnicity and understands the no culture is strictly homogeneous. Each culture has been researched down to the beginning of the culture including evolution, biology, neurology, motivations, emotions, and cognitive foundations (Berry, 2004). In cross-cultural psychology, the researcher takes these elements of two or more of these cultures and attempts to examine their similarities and differences to determine the fundamentals of a society in general. Cross-cultural psychology studies more of the development of the
What is culture? Culture is a particular society at a particular time and the knowledge and values shared by that society and psychology is the science of mental life. Therefore, it goes without saying that cultural psychology is the science of mental life in a particular society at a particular time. According to the text “cross-cultural psychology is the critical and comparative study of cultural effects on human psychology and cultural psychology seeks to discover meaningful links between a culture and the psychology of individuals living in this culture (Shiraev & Levy, 2010).” Because there is a need for understanding of cultural psychology, cultural and cross-cultural psychologies are closely related yet have many differences as well. Cross-cultural psychology is all about the comparisons of societies and due to these comparisons critical thinking plays a critical role. The methods of cross-cultural research are used to assist in the understanding of why cross-cultural psychology is so important to society today and the understanding of it.
Cultural vs. Cross-cultural
“The main implication of the difference between individualism and collectivism concerns the relationship between an individual and a group (Lu and Kao, 2002).” Cultural psychology deals with a single society and all of the elements that make the society what it is. Cultural psychology studies the factors of culture, society, race, and ethnicity and understands the no culture is strictly homogeneous. Each culture has been researched down to the beginning of the culture including evolution, biology, neurology, motivations, emotions, and cognitive foundations (Berry, 2004). In cross-cultural psychology, the researcher takes these elements of two or more of these cultures and attempts to examine their similarities and differences to determine the fundamentals of a society in general. Cross-cultural psychology studies more of the development of the
References: Berry, J (2004). The Psychological Foundations of Culture. Canadian Psychology, 45(4), 315-316. Retrieved May 3, 2010, from ProQuest Psychology Journals. (Document ID: 928026951). Luo, L., & Shu-Fang, K. (2002). Traditional and Modern Characteristics Across the Generations: Similarities and Discrepancies. Journal of Social Psychology, 142(1), 45-59. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete database Luna,D & Gupta, S.F. (2001). An integrative framework for cross-cultural consumer behavior. International Marketing Review, 18(1), 45-69. Retrieved May 3, 2010, from ABI/INFORM Global. (Document ID: 115719118). Shiraev, E. B. & Levy, D. A. (2010). Cross-cultural psychology: Critical thinking and contemporary applications (4th ed.). Boston: Pearson/Allyn Bacon. Stuart, R. (2005). Multiculturalism: Questions, Not Answers. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 36(5), 576-578. doi:10.1037/0735