Cultural Bias controversyCultural Bias controversy

You need to be able to say why this issue You need to be able to say why this issue is controversialis controversial

You should be able to give examples of You should be able to give examples of where cultural bias occurs in Psychologywhere cultural bias occurs in Psychology

You should be able to suggest ways of You should be able to suggest ways of dealing with cultural bias.dealing with cultural bias.

Cultural Bias in PsychologyCultural Bias in Psychology

Psychology is predominantly a white, Psychology is predominantly a white, Euro-American enterpriseEuro-American enterprise 64% of psychological researchers from US64% of psychological researchers from US In some texts, >90% of studies have US PPsIn some texts, >90% of studies have US PPs Samples predominantly white middle classSamples predominantly white middle class

But psychology purports to tell us about But psychology purports to tell us about ‘human nature’ – can this really be true?‘human nature’ – can this really be true?

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Cultural Bias in PsychologyCultural Bias in Psychology

Try the Chiltern Test.Try the Chiltern Test.

http://www.psychexchange.co.uk/videos/http://www.psychexchange.co.uk/videos/view/20522/view/20522/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxmccYBXJLg&feature=related

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Cultural Bias Examples Cultural Bias Examples

IQ testing and research (e.g. Eysenck)IQ testing and research (e.g. Eysenck) IQ tests developed in the West contain IQ tests developed in the West contain

embedded assumptions about intelligence, embedded assumptions about intelligence, but what counts as ‘intelligent’ behaviour but what counts as ‘intelligent’ behaviour varies from culture to culturevaries from culture to culture

Non-Westerners may be disadvantaged by Non-Westerners may be disadvantaged by such tests – and then viewed as ‘inferior’ such tests – and then viewed as ‘inferior’ when then don’t perform as Westerners dowhen then don’t perform as Westerners do

See the Chiltern Test.See the Chiltern Test.

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Cultural Bias ExamplesCultural Bias Examples

Ainsworth’s SSC for attachmentAinsworth’s SSC for attachment Not appropriate for assessing children from Not appropriate for assessing children from

non-US or UK populationsnon-US or UK populations Cultural differences in child-rearing styles Cultural differences in child-rearing styles

make results liable to misinterpretation e.g. make results liable to misinterpretation e.g. German or Japanese samplesGerman or Japanese samples

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Cultural Bias ExamplesCultural Bias Examples

Moral development (Kohlberg)Moral development (Kohlberg) Based on a hierarchy of developmental Based on a hierarchy of developmental

stages, strongly influenced by Western stages, strongly influenced by Western individualism & tradition of abstract moral individualism & tradition of abstract moral reasoningreasoning

Not an accurate reflection of moral reasoning Not an accurate reflection of moral reasoning in some other (e.g. collectivist) culturesin some other (e.g. collectivist) cultures

Consequently, some cultures score ‘lower’ on Consequently, some cultures score ‘lower’ on moral development when they are actually moral development when they are actually just ‘different’just ‘different’

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Small Group TaskSmall Group TaskRead through textbook pg 74 and answer the Read through textbook pg 74 and answer the following questions.following questions.

Why is cultural bias a problem?Why is cultural bias a problem?

What is the difference between Alph and Beta bias?What is the difference between Alph and Beta bias?

Give some examples of Alpha and Beta biases in Give some examples of Alpha and Beta biases in research.research.

What is the difference between ethnocentrism and What is the difference between ethnocentrism and cultural relativism?cultural relativism?

Why might the biological approach by culturally Why might the biological approach by culturally biased?biased?

PlenaryPlenary

Post-its game – choice of termsPost-its game – choice of terms

Alpha biasAlpha bias

Beta BiasBeta Bias

EnthocentrismEnthocentrism

Cultural relativismCultural relativism

Cultural neuropsychologyCultural neuropsychology

CollectivistCollectivist

IndividualistIndividualist

Ways to deal with cultural biasWays to deal with cultural bias

Emics and eticsEmics and etics Emics are the constructs particular to a Emics are the constructs particular to a

specific culturespecific culture Etics are constructs that are universal to all Etics are constructs that are universal to all

peoplepeople

Bias can occur when emics and etics get Bias can occur when emics and etics get mistaken for each othermistaken for each other

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EmicsEmics

Emic constructs are specific to particular Emic constructs are specific to particular cultures, so they vary from place to placecultures, so they vary from place to place Likely to be ignored or misinterpretedLikely to be ignored or misinterpreted Researchers from one culture may not be Researchers from one culture may not be

sensitive to local emicssensitive to local emics Their own cultural ‘filters’ may prevent them Their own cultural ‘filters’ may prevent them

from detecting them or appreciating their from detecting them or appreciating their significancesignificance

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Emic ApproachEmic Approach Emphasize every culture is uniqueEmphasize every culture is unique Study behaviour Study behaviour within within a culturea culture Produce findings significant for that culture Produce findings significant for that culture

onlyonly Examples ?Examples ? See Handout See Handout

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EticsEtics

Etic constructs are assumed to be Etic constructs are assumed to be universal, but may not beuniversal, but may not be This can lead to ‘imposed etics’, where a This can lead to ‘imposed etics’, where a

construct from one culture is applied construct from one culture is applied inappropriately to anotherinappropriately to another

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Etic ApproachEtic Approach DERIVED ETICSDERIVED ETICS Done by cross-cultural psychologistsDone by cross-cultural psychologists Assumes most behaviour is common to all Assumes most behaviour is common to all

humans but cultural factors affect this behaviourhumans but cultural factors affect this behaviour Explanations are DERIVED (worked out) from Explanations are DERIVED (worked out) from

cross-cultural studies of a behaviourcross-cultural studies of a behaviour Examples?Examples? See handoutSee handout

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Etic ApproachEtic Approach IMPOSED ETICSIMPOSED ETICS Done by cross-cultural psychologistsDone by cross-cultural psychologists Assumes most behaviour is not affected by Assumes most behaviour is not affected by

culture.culture. Study behaviour from outside a cultureStudy behaviour from outside a culture Study many culturesStudy many cultures Produce findings they believe they can apply to all Produce findings they believe they can apply to all

culturescultures Examples ?Examples ?

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EthnocentrismEthnocentrism

This occurs when a researcher assumes This occurs when a researcher assumes that their own culturally specific practices that their own culturally specific practices or ideas are ‘natural’ or ‘right’or ideas are ‘natural’ or ‘right’ When other cultures are observed to differ When other cultures are observed to differ

from the researcher’s own, they may be from the researcher’s own, they may be regarded in a negative lightregarded in a negative light

E.g. ‘primitive’, ‘degenerate’, E.g. ‘primitive’, ‘degenerate’, ‘unsophisticated’, ‘undeveloped’ etc.‘unsophisticated’, ‘undeveloped’ etc.

Becomes racism when other cultures are Becomes racism when other cultures are denigrated or their traditions regarded as denigrated or their traditions regarded as irrelevant etc.irrelevant etc.

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Can We Avoid Cultural Bias?Can We Avoid Cultural Bias?

Remember that all cultures are not the Remember that all cultures are not the samesame The individualist-collectivist dimension The individualist-collectivist dimension

reminds us of this, but is still a gross reminds us of this, but is still a gross simplificationsimplification

Greater use should be made of research Greater use should be made of research conducted from within each culture, by conducted from within each culture, by members of that culturemembers of that culture

Cross cultural research should be encouragedCross cultural research should be encouraged

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Conducting Cross Cultural ResearchConducting Cross Cultural Research

Two possible approaches:Two possible approaches: Cross cultural approach – study many Cross cultural approach – study many

different cultures to identify the variationsdifferent cultures to identify the variations Transcultural approach – study many different Transcultural approach – study many different

cultures to identify the similaritiescultures to identify the similarities

When doing this, need to be aware of the When doing this, need to be aware of the pitfalls!pitfalls!

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Conducting Cross-Cultural ResearchConducting Cross-Cultural Research

Identify the challenges of cross-cultural Identify the challenges of cross-cultural research on pg75 of textbook.research on pg75 of textbook.

Apply them to Buss AS Core study.Apply them to Buss AS Core study.

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Essay PlanEssay PlanIntro – What is cultural bias and why is it a problem. Intro – What is cultural bias and why is it a problem.

Give examples of cultural bias in existing research and say Give examples of cultural bias in existing research and say why the studies were biased.why the studies were biased.

Explain types of bias, Alpha, beta and ethnocentrism using Explain types of bias, Alpha, beta and ethnocentrism using examples and analysis (Saying what is suggests)examples and analysis (Saying what is suggests)

Explain ways of dealing the bias. Include indigenous Explain ways of dealing the bias. Include indigenous psychologies and distinction between emics and etics. psychologies and distinction between emics and etics. Provide examples and analysis.Provide examples and analysis.

Explain challenges of conducting cross-cultural research Explain challenges of conducting cross-cultural research successfully and why it is important for psychology. successfully and why it is important for psychology.

Write a conclusion which summarises and suggests Write a conclusion which summarises and suggests actions for the future. actions for the future.