Gender and culture in psychology:cultural bias -A-Level Psychology
Cultural bias-refers to a tendency to ignore cultural differences and interpret all phenomena through the lens of one culture
Ethnocentrism-judging other cultures by the standards and values of one own culture.
Cultural relativism-the idea that norms/values as well as ethics and moral standards can only be meaningful and understood within specific social and cultural constructs
Cultural bias:
Psychology is mainly the study of white middle class american males as well as being a male dominated profession.
Universality and bias:
Critics argue that mainstream psychology has generally ignored culture as an important influence on behaviour.This means that findings from studies carried out in western culture has wrongfully been considered as universal.Social influence studies such as conformity and obedience(conducted with US participants) had very different results when replicated in other parts of the world.If the standard/norm for a behaviour is categorised based from the aspect of one specific culture,then any cultural differences in that behaviour that deviate from the norm will be seen as abnormal or unusual (cultural bias).
Ethnocentrism:
Refers to a type of cultural bias and is a belief in the superiority of one’s own cultural group.For example,if a behaviour does not conform to western studies ,they are seen to be deficient and unsophisticated.Ainsworth’s strange situation was criticised for only reflecting the norm/values of American culture.She suggested that ‘secure’ attachment was shown when the child showed distress when left alone by the mother figure.This led to the misunderstanding of other cultures child-rearing practices.
Cultural relativism:
Ainsworth’s research is an example of an imposed etic as it assumed that the US based model for classifying attachment was the norm.Ainsworth then imposed her own cultural understanding on the rest of the world.
Etic approach-looks at behaviour from outside of a given culture and attempts to describe those behaviors that are universal.
Emic approach-functions from within certain cultures and identifies behaviours that are specific to that culture.
Culture bias can occur when a researcher assumes that an emic construct (behavior specific to a single culture) is actually an etic (behavior universal to all cultures) .Making the assumption that behaviors are universal across cultures can lead to imposed etics, where a construct from one culture is applied inappropriately to another. Imposed etics is when theories are considered to be universal based on emic research in one individual culture.
Evaluation:
Ethnocentrism-This becomes racism when other cultures are denigrated or their traditions regarded as irrelevant etc
Operationalisation of variables-an issue with conducting research in different cultures is that the variables under review may not be experienced in the same way by all participants.In China,the invasion of personal space is seen as normal whereas in the West this may be seen as confrontational.
Takano and Osaka(1999) found that 14/15 studies that compared the US and Japan found no evidence of the traditional distinction between individualism and collectivism.This could perhaps suggest that cultural bias in research is less of an issue than it once was.
Cultural bias refers to the tendency of psychological research, theories, and practices to favor certain cultural groups or values over others. This bias can lead to inaccurate and incomplete understandings of human behavior, as well as perpetuate stereotypes and discrimination.
Cultural bias can affect psychological research by influencing the selection of research participants, research methods, and interpretation of results. For example, if a study only includes participants from one cultural group, the findings may not be generalizable to other cultures. Similarly, if researchers use measures or tests that are culturally biased, the results may not accurately reflect the experiences or behaviors of individuals from other cultures.
Cultural bias can affect the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders by leading to misinterpretation of symptoms and inappropriate interventions. For example, a symptom that is considered pathological in one culture may be considered normal or even desirable in another culture. Similarly, treatments that are effective in one cultural context may not be effective or even harmful in another context.
Cultural bias can be addressed in psychology by increasing cultural awareness and sensitivity among researchers and practitioners. This can be achieved through education and training programs, as well as by incorporating diverse perspectives and experiences into research and practice. Additionally, psychologists can work with individuals and communities to understand their unique cultural contexts and tailor interventions accordingly.
It is important to address cultural bias in psychology because it promotes accuracy, inclusivity, and ethical practice. By acknowledging and addressing cultural bias, psychologists can gain a more complete understanding of human behavior, provide more effective and appropriate interventions, and reduce the negative impact of discrimination and stereotypes.
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