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

2. 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.

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

4. 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.

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

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

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.