CROSS-CULTURAL PSYCHOLOGY

Cross-Cultural Psychology

Cross-Cultural Psychology

Introduction

All human behavior is influenced by the culture in which a person develops. Thus, there can be no complete account of psychological phenomena without taking the cultural context into account. This claim applies not only to the findings of psychological researchers, but also to practitioners, who must consider the cultural settings of their applications as well as the cultural roots of the behavior.

To begin, take “cross-cultural psychology” literally: it largely intends to deploy the concepts and methods of Western (positivistic) psychology in other cultures. In doing so, it has fostered lavish communication and collaboration among scholars from many nations and cultures. For (at least) two reasons, it is fitting to conclude this discussion with short mention of cross-cultural psychology, even though it is not studied by anthropologists.

Culture

The conceptualization of culture is by no means a simple matter. One possible way to think about culture is that “culture is to society what memory is to individuals”. It includes what has worked in the experience of a society, so that is what was worth transmitting to future generations. It includes both objective elements, such as tools, bridges, chairs, and tables, and subjective elements such as norms, roles, laws, religions, and values.

Cross-Cultural Psychology

Cross-cultural psychology is the study of culture's effects on human behavior. More formally, cross-cultural psychology is the empirical study of members of various culture groups with identifiable experiences that lead to predictable and significant similarities and differences in behavior. People's experiences take place in various social contexts, and so the study of culture often includes analysis of the social contexts in which people find themselves (Berry, 1997).

Relationship between Cultural and Cross-Cultural Psychology

The study of human behavior must include observations made all around the world, not just in the few highly industrialized nations where most research has historically been done. The concept of culture summarizes many of the major influences on human behavior and the bases for concepts of self and group identity that people hold. Further, aspects of culture have major effects on the formulation, dissemination, and acceptance of programs designed to deliver psychological services or to use psychological principles. Cross-cultural research is also central to theory development and to programs aimed at applying the lessons learned from research.

Cross-cultural psychology derives from both anthropology and psychology, taking various concepts, theories, and methods from each discipline. Because of this, field is not unitary, but is composed of various perspectives. ...