PSY515 Handouts by VUBuddy

Cross Cultural Psychology (PSY515)

Lesson No.

Title

Page No.

Scope And Nature of Cross-Cultural Psychology Comparing Cultures Similarities And Differences Between Cultures Critical Thinking in Cross-Cultural Psychology Research Methodology in Cross Cultural Psychology Research Methods-I Research Methods-I Research Methods-III Research Methods-IV Qualitative Approaches in Cross-Culture Psychology Ethical Issues in Cross-Cultural Research Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Interpersonal Touch and Mate Preferences Methodological Challenges and Considerations in Cross-Cultural Research Methodological Challenges and Considerations in Cross-Cultural Research-II Understanding Cross Culture Differences and Variations Cultural Influences on Human Development and Socialization Human Development and Socialization Socialization and Cultural Development-I Socialization and Cultural Development-II Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Child Development and Family Dynamics Moral Landscape: Navigating the Development of Moral Sense across Cultures Bilingualism and Family Dynamics in Diverse Societies Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Aging, Death and Grief Exploring World Views, the Divine and the Self in Cross-Cultural Contexts Cross-Cultural Insights into Human Consciousness and Dream Interpretation Faith in flux: Navigating Religion and Culture in the Diaspora Experience Cultural Expressions of Sexuality and Gender Identity Understanding Stereotypes: Perceptions, Targets and Attribution Cross-Cultural Insights on Intelligence and Cognitive Development Emotion across Cultures: Research, Expression and Action Cross-Disciplinary Exploration of the Triangular Theory and Personality Models Nutrition, Health and Psychological Well-being across Borders Cultural Perspectives on Developmental Disabilities and Well-being Scientific Approaches to Mental Health across Cultures Cross-Cultural Wellbeing and Mental Health Flourishing and Wellbeing across Cultures Cultural Perspectives on Decision Making Multicultural Education and Immigrant Integration Social Motives and Helping Behavior across Diverse Contexts Coping with the Pandemic: Cultural Adaptation and the Role of Popular Culture Sustainability Science and Climate Action for Environmental Resilience Culture, Communication, and Behavior: Cross-Cultural Perspectives Summary of the Course

LESSON 01 · Module: 1-4 · Module 1: Introduction to the Course

Students are introduced to the objectives and contents of the course. Students are introduced to the discipline of cross-cultural psychology and basic concepts in this field.

Overall Objectives of the Course

To cover social and cultural aspects of human behavior. To explore similarities and diversity across societies and cross-cultural research. To identify and comprehend both the similarities and differences of people’s behaviors, emotions, motivations, and thoughts across cultures. To understand and analyze cultural and sub-cultural practices.

Learning Outcomes (for the whole course)

The course aims to cover social and cultural aspects of human behavior, similarities and diversity across societies and cross-cultural research. Hence at the end the students will:

1. have complete awareness and acceptance about cultural diversity within their own society and across societies.
2. tend to engage with people from different cultures with empathy and tolerance and understand and analyze cultural and sub-cultural practices
3. be able to conceive, plan and conduct cross cultural research
4. differentiate between area studies, cross-cultural studies, and intercultural studies
5. be familiar with cross-cultural research on various dimensions of human behavior You will be able to understand cultural diversity and engage with people from different cultures with empathy and tolerance. It will also enable you to conceive, plan and conduct cross cultural research. This discipline offers the opportunity to connect with others through a deeper sense of appreciation and understanding.

Contents of the Course

1. Definition of Cross-Cultural and Cultural Psychology with basic terms and concepts
2. Various approaches to study of culture, natural and social sciences, eco-cultural, humanities, integrative and mixed cultural approaches
3. How culture is incorporated in psychological science and what challenges that poses.
4. Comparison of cultures; similarities and differences; types of cultures
5. Research methods and design used in Cross cultural psychology; Experimental, Quasi, cross sectional and field studies Experimental, Quasi, cross sectional and field studies and qualitative research
6. international and indigenous research across cultures
7. Human Development and Socialization; parenting, socialization practices across cultures, families across cultures, developmental stages, moral development, perception of ageing and death across cultures
8. Culture, Cognition and Consciousness; world views of reality, perception of next world, spirituality, culture and religion human consciousness, emotions across cultures, women across cultures, attitudes towards sexuality and diversity, social cognition, Emotion research, Intelligence and Personality theory
9. Applications of cross-cultural psychology in health, mental health, counseling, working with immigrants, organizations, education and working abroad, global concerns and actions in sustainability, environment and climate, civic behavior and human rights
10. Crossing boundaries and cross-cultural communication; literature, music, arts and crafts as a universal language of human experience and expression. Travel as cultural learning. Learning of language
11. Implications of the course for personal growth

Module 2: Introduction to Cross-Cultural Psychology

A Personal Journey Across Cultures

Let me begin with a personal story. I've had the privilege of traveling to various countries across the world, both in the East and the West. I've spent time in cities and small towns in Japan, the USA, France, Greece, Australia, Nepal, Iran, Canada, the Middle East, Malaysia, Scotland, and England. I even lived in the United Kingdom for a few years for educational purposes. During these travels, I was constantly comparing customs, values, dress, languages, food, behavior, attitudes, public spaces, services, families, beliefs about God, and religious practices. I noticed both differences and similarities. The fact that a Pakistani woman like me could travel and manage life in these diverse countries is a testament to the reality that human beings share universal traits—commonalities that transcend dissimilarities and contrasts. Once you set foot on foreign soil, the study of culture becomes almost second nature.

Cultural Diversity Within Pakistan

Even within our own society, I have never stopped being amazed—and sometimes shocked— by the cultural diversity and stark contrasts within Pakistan itself. For instance, in a small town in Pakistan, a girl might get married without ever having met the boy she is committing to spend her life with. This was unimaginable in my family and social circle. All the children around me were taught to read the Quran from age five or six and given a book guiding everyday behavior as a Muslim. Yet, when I grew up, I discovered that many in my society had not gone through similar education. Some of my classmates spoke of their fathers drinking alcohol—a concept entirely foreign to me until I was 22 and attended a New Year’s party at my first job. Each of you can likely identify similar contrasts around you—from cities to villages, from one province to another, and from family to family. There are also numerous similarities, such as communal eating, festivals, school rituals, values, and family bonding. With this personal reflection, I now introduce you to the discipline of cross-cultural psychology, one of the most fascinating studies of human life and behavior in all its richness and complexity.

Understanding Cross-Cultural Psychology

The Scope and Importance of Cross-Cultural Psychology

It is important to recognize that the conditions in which people live vary greatly from place to place. Human actions and mental frameworks—formed and developed in various environments—may also differ from group to group. These differences, as well as similarities, are studied by cross-cultural psychology (Gudykunst & Bond, 1997). Cross-cultural psychology is the critical and comparative study of cultural effects on human psychology.