Cultural Bias controversy You need to be able to say why this issue is controversial You should be able to give examples of where cultural bias occurs in Psychology You should be able to suggest ways of dealing with cultural bias.

Cultural Bias in Psychology Psychology is predominantly a white, Euro-American enterprise 64% of psychological researchers from US 64% of psychological researchers from US In some texts, >90% of studies have US PPs In some texts, >90% of studies have US PPs Samples predominantly white middle class Samples predominantly white middle class But psychology purports to tell us about ‘human nature’ – can this really be true?

Cultural Bias in Psychology Try the Chiltern Test. Try the Chiltern Test. ew/20522/ ew/20522/ BXJLg&feature=related BXJLg&feature=related

Cultural Bias Examples IQ testing and research (e.g. Eysenck) IQ tests developed in the West contain embedded assumptions about intelligence, but what counts as ‘intelligent’ behaviour varies from culture to culture IQ tests developed in the West contain embedded assumptions about intelligence, but what counts as ‘intelligent’ behaviour varies from culture to culture Non-Westerners may be disadvantaged by such tests – and then viewed as ‘inferior’ when then don’t perform as Westerners do Non-Westerners may be disadvantaged by such tests – and then viewed as ‘inferior’ when then don’t perform as Westerners do See the Chiltern Test. See the Chiltern Test.

Cultural Bias Examples Ainsworth’s SSC for attachment Not appropriate for assessing children from non-US or UK populations Not appropriate for assessing children from non-US or UK populations Cultural differences in child-rearing styles make results liable to misinterpretation e.g. German or Japanese samples Cultural differences in child-rearing styles make results liable to misinterpretation e.g. German or Japanese samples

Cultural Bias Examples Moral development (Kohlberg) Based on a hierarchy of developmental stages, strongly influenced by Western individualism & tradition of abstract moral reasoning Based on a hierarchy of developmental stages, strongly influenced by Western individualism & tradition of abstract moral reasoning Not an accurate reflection of moral reasoning in some other (e.g. collectivist) cultures Not an accurate reflection of moral reasoning in some other (e.g. collectivist) cultures Consequently, some cultures score ‘lower’ on moral development when they are actually just ‘different’ Consequently, some cultures score ‘lower’ on moral development when they are actually just ‘different’

Small Group Task Read through textbook pg 74 and answer the following questions. Why is cultural bias a problem? What is the difference between Alph and Beta bias? Give some examples of Alpha and Beta biases in research. What is the difference between ethnocentrism and cultural relativism? Why might the biological approach by culturally biased?

Plenary Post-its game – choice of terms Alpha bias Beta Bias Enthocentrism Cultural relativism Cultural neuropsychology CollectivistIndividualist

Ways to deal with cultural bias Emics and etics Emics are the constructs particular to a specific culture Emics are the constructs particular to a specific culture Etics are constructs that are universal to all people Etics are constructs that are universal to all people Bias can occur when emics and etics get mistaken for each other

Emics Emic constructs are specific to particular cultures, so they vary from place to place Likely to be ignored or misinterpreted Likely to be ignored or misinterpreted Researchers from one culture may not be sensitive to local emics Researchers from one culture may not be sensitive to local emics Their own cultural ‘filters’ may prevent them from detecting them or appreciating their significance Their own cultural ‘filters’ may prevent them from detecting them or appreciating their significance

Emic Approach Emphasize every culture is unique Emphasize every culture is unique Study behaviour within a culture Study behaviour within a culture Produce findings significant for that culture only Produce findings significant for that culture only Examples ? Examples ? See Handout See Handout

Etics Etic constructs are assumed to be universal, but may not be This can lead to ‘imposed etics’, where a construct from one culture is applied inappropriately to another This can lead to ‘imposed etics’, where a construct from one culture is applied inappropriately to another

Etic Approach DERIVED ETICS DERIVED ETICS Done by cross-cultural psychologists Done by cross-cultural psychologists Assumes most behaviour is common to all humans but cultural factors affect this behaviour Assumes most behaviour is common to all humans but cultural factors affect this behaviour Explanations are DERIVED (worked out) from cross-cultural studies of a behaviour Explanations are DERIVED (worked out) from cross-cultural studies of a behaviour Examples? Examples? See handout See handout

Etic Approach IMPOSED ETICS IMPOSED ETICS Done by cross-cultural psychologists Done by cross-cultural psychologists Assumes most behaviour is not affected by culture. Assumes most behaviour is not affected by culture. Study behaviour from outside a culture Study behaviour from outside a culture Study many cultures Study many cultures Produce findings they believe they can apply to all cultures Produce findings they believe they can apply to all cultures Examples ? Examples ?

Ethnocentrism This occurs when a researcher assumes that their own culturally specific practices or ideas are ‘natural’ or ‘right’ When other cultures are observed to differ from the researcher’s own, they may be regarded in a negative light When other cultures are observed to differ from the researcher’s own, they may be regarded in a negative light E.g. ‘primitive’, ‘degenerate’, ‘unsophisticated’, ‘undeveloped’ etc. E.g. ‘primitive’, ‘degenerate’, ‘unsophisticated’, ‘undeveloped’ etc. Becomes racism when other cultures are denigrated or their traditions regarded as irrelevant etc.

Can We Avoid Cultural Bias? Remember that all cultures are not the same The individualist-collectivist dimension reminds us of this, but is still a gross simplification The individualist-collectivist dimension reminds us of this, but is still a gross simplification Greater use should be made of research conducted from within each culture, by members of that culture Greater use should be made of research conducted from within each culture, by members of that culture Cross cultural research should be encouraged Cross cultural research should be encouraged

Conducting Cross Cultural Research Two possible approaches: Cross cultural approach – study many different cultures to identify the variations Cross cultural approach – study many different cultures to identify the variations Transcultural approach – study many different cultures to identify the similarities Transcultural approach – study many different cultures to identify the similarities When doing this, need to be aware of the pitfalls!

Conducting Cross-Cultural Research Identify the challenges of cross-cultural research on pg75 of textbook. Apply them to Buss AS Core study.

Essay Plan Intro – What is cultural bias and why is it a problem. Give examples of cultural bias in existing research and say why the studies were biased. Explain types of bias, Alpha, beta and ethnocentrism using examples and analysis (Saying what is suggests) Explain ways of dealing the bias. Include indigenous psychologies and distinction between emics and etics. Provide examples and analysis. Explain challenges of conducting cross-cultural research successfully and why it is important for psychology. Write a conclusion which summarises and suggests actions for the future.