ANTH 331: Culture and the Individual Kimberly Porter Martin, Ph.D. Theory ANTH 331: Culture and the Individual Kimberly Porter Martin, Ph.D.

Theory: A Definition A set of related hypotheses that provide a better explanation than any single hypothesis. A grounded theory is one that is based on empirically testable hypotheses that have been supported by evidence.

Theoretical Dimensions Genetics (Nature) vs Culture (nurture) Absolutist – Universalist – Relativist Action Theory Sociocultural Theory Indigenous Psychologies Culture Comparative Research

The Nature/Nurture Controversy Early debate during the first half of the twentieth century Nature perspective partly rooted in racial determinism linked to colonial and post colonial attitudes Racial determinism and environmental determinism were combined to predict both cultural factors and personality qualities. Based on limited knowledge about how genetics and environment interact.

Absolutism, Universalism & Relativism Restatement of the old Nature/Nurture controversy with a middle ground position added.

Absolutism Biologically/genetically based Limited influence of environment Identifying species-wide traits Imposed etic assumptions Concepts defined in modern Western cultural terms Straightforward comparison

Universalism Interaction of biological and cultural factors Culture has a substantial impact Examining variations in species-wide processes Derived etic methodology with attention to how Modern Western methods can be adapted in other cultures Modern Western concepts with adjustment for cultural differences

Relativism Culturally based Culture is the primary causal factor in developing behavior and personality. Emic methodology Comparison is difficult Context specific definitions for concepts Local measurement units and instruments are used.

Confidence in Labeling Universal Traits Conceptual Universals – highly abstract with no empirical measurement possible (national character) Weak Universals – concepts for which there is empirical support for measurement in a variety of individual cultures. Strong Universals – measured with the same metric across cultures.

Indigenous Psychologies The movement to create (recognize?) multiple theory sets about what human psychological traits are like. Leads to culture specific methodology Makes cultural comparison difficult May be a necessary step toward developing a universal, cross-culturally valid psychology.