PSY/SOC 237 Cross-Cultural Relationships

Brandy Young, Ph.D.Fall 2007

Beginning the first module

• Before continuing with this presentation, right click on the assignments tab to take the Module 1: Quiz 1

• Doing this will allow you identify how much you already know about this topic and will help you focus on which areas of the lesson you will need to study for the most.

• You may also re-take the quiz at the end of the lesson to ensure that you have effectively learned the fundamental material. Use this feedback to identify areas that you may need to give remedial attention to.

• This quiz is not graded. It is purely for your own personal assessment.

Module 1A: Learning Objectives

• Be able to define as well as compare and contrast the following concepts:• culture (collectivism and individualism)• race • ethnicity • nationality• minority group

• Identify the three components of racial attitudes.

• In what ways is bias distinct from bigotry?• Do you have any biases?

What is Culture?

Culture is a shared system of meanings that is passed on from one generation to the next.

Culture is evident in…

• Context: History, language, and/or way of life• Laws, language, music, holidays

• Internal/Psychological States: Values, Attitudes, Beliefs, Norms, and Behaviors• Beliefs about education, marriage, sexuality

• Material goods: symbols• Cultural artifacts, food, style of clothing

Examples of American Cultural Icons

Can you think of other examples?

Perspectives on Culture

• Sociologists most interested in studying:• Contextual aspects of culture

• Anthropologists most interested in studying:• The cultural basis of material goods

• Psychologists most interested in studying:• Internal aspects of culture• Values (collectivism vs. individualism)

Collectivism• Interdependent• Fit in and maintain

harmonious relations• Focus on group• Prefer less competitive

strategies (equality)• Contribute more to

others• Expect more help from

others

Examples• Eastern cultures: Japan,

China

• Independent• Express unique individual

attributes• Focus on self• Prefer competitive

strategies (equity)• Contribute less to others• Expect less help from

others

Examples• Western cultures: U.S.,

Canada

Individualism

Race

• A group of people defined by similar physical characteristics

• Race is a social construction rather than a biological or genetic reality

Web Activity 1

• To learn more about the concept of race, how we categorize, and why race is a social construction, complete Web Activity 1- Race the Power of an Illusion.• To visit the website and review the description

of the assignment, right click on the external links tab and open a new window. Resume the slideshow when you have completed the activity.

Ethnicity

• A group of people who share a common culture and history

• Based on historic origins of one’s family

Nationality

• The country or nation in which a person has citizenship

• Based on residence

What is a Minority Group?

• Does NOT refer to the number of people in a group

• Based on power & a group’s position in the social hierarchy

• Minority group members possess limited power in comparison to the dominant group.

The ABC’s of Prejudice

• From a psychological perspective, prejudice is an attitude that is comprised of three components:

• Affect (emotions, feelings) Prejudice• Behavioral tendencies Discrimination• Cognition (thoughts) Stereotypes

Prejudice

• Prejudgment• A negative

attitude towards a group of individuals

• Evaluative judgment

• Based on emotion

Gordon Allport

Discrimination

• Actions or practices carried out by members of the dominant group that have a negative impact on subordinate group members

• Based in behavior (actions)

Stereotype

• A set of beliefs about a group of people

• Trait-based descriptions• Are applied to individual members

of a the group• Based in cognition (thought)• Can be + or –

Types of Prejudice

• Prejudice varies in terms of form and magnitude.• Bigotry vs. bias

Bigotry

• Extreme negative attitudes

• Involves feelings of hatred directed towards a group and its individual members

• A conscious negativity• Very explicit and overt

Bias

• Mild in magnitude• A preference or inclination• Can be + or –• Prevents impartial judgment• Often unconscious • Subtle and implicit

The End of Module 1A

• Great job !!!!• Now assess how much of the

material you retained• Right click on the assignments tab to

take the Module 1: Quiz 1