PSYC 379 Lecture 1: Chapter 1 Notes

• School: George Mason University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 379
• Professor: Paraya

Document Summary

Involves research on human behavior that compares psychological processes between two or more cultures. Growth of cultural psychology and cross-cultural research: cultural psychology has popularized psychology worldwide, highlights the importance of culture on behavior. Increases awareness about intercultural conflicts: theoretical models and books are incorporating culture, increased interest in cultural psychology is a normal and healthy development. What is culture: refers to general characteristics of a society, refers to heritage or tradition, describes rules and norms, describes learning or problem solving, defines the organization of a group, refers to origins of a group. Is culture a uniquely human product: animals have a basic form of culture, social beings that have clear social networks and hierarchies, communicate with each other. Invent and use tools: characteristics of human life that differentiates it from those of animals, complexity, differentiation. Individualism vs. collectivism: beliefs, power distance, sacred values, dynamic externality, societal cynicism, religion.