Understanding Cross-Cultural Psychology

by | May 8, 2024 | psychology

In this module, you have explored the field of cross-cultural psychology and how it differs from cultural psychology. You have also read about cultural differences and the power distance relationship. You have examined the difference between varying knowledge types. In this assignment, you will use resources and textbook readings from this module to answer critical thinking questions about these topics and demonstrate your understanding of cross-cultural psychology. This assignment prepares you to write about the culture you chose in the final project analysis paper.
Prompt
Answer the following questions, integrating information from the text and module resources. Write your answer to each question in one to two paragraphs using APA style. Your response to each question should include a reference to a resource in the module, cited in APA format.
1. Research shows that people in egalitarian, low-power-distance cultures are less preoccupied with the behavioral rules attached to high social status. Why does this happen?
2. What are the similarities and differences between cultural psychology and cross-cultural psychology?
3. What are three views in psychology on how local cultures will respond to globalization? Describe the views.
4. What are the differences between scientific knowledge and popular beliefs?
5. What are the differences between legal knowledge and scientific knowledge?

 

 

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


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God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Sample Answer

Sample Answer

 

Title: Understanding Cross-Cultural Psychology

Introduction

In the field of psychology, understanding cultural influences on behavior and cognition is crucial. Cross-cultural psychology delves into how culture shapes individuals’ thoughts, feelings, and actions, while cultural psychology focuses on how culture influences the mind and vice versa. This essay aims to explore various aspects of cross-cultural psychology, including cultural differences, power distance relationships, different knowledge types, and responses to globalization.

1. Behavioral Rules in Egalitarian Cultures

Research indicates that individuals in egalitarian, low-power-distance cultures exhibit less preoccupation with behavioral rules tied to high social status. This phenomenon occurs because in such cultures, there is a more equitable distribution of power and less emphasis on hierarchical structures. According to Markus and Kitayama’s theory of independent versus interdependent self-construals, individuals in these cultures prioritize autonomy and personal goals over conformity to societal norms. This is supported by the module’s discussion on cultural differences and power distance relationships, where it was noted that individuals in low-power-distance cultures tend to value equality and individualism over hierarchy and collectivism (Markus & Kitayama, 1991).

2. Cultural vs. Cross-Cultural Psychology

Cultural psychology focuses on the impact of culture on individual behavior and cognition within a specific cultural context. In contrast, cross-cultural psychology compares psychological processes across different cultures to identify universal principles as well as cultural variations. While both branches acknowledge the influence of culture on psychology, cultural psychology emphasizes the uniqueness of each culture’s psychological phenomena, whereas cross-cultural psychology seeks to uncover similarities and differences across cultures (Shiraev & Levy, 2017).

3. Responses to Globalization

In psychology, three main views exist regarding how local cultures respond to globalization: assimilation, integration, and separation. Assimilation suggests that local cultures adopt global practices and values while discarding their traditional beliefs. Integration advocates for a balance between embracing global influences and preserving local traditions. On the other hand, separation argues for maintaining distinct cultural identities by resisting external influences. These perspectives highlight the complex interactions between global trends and local customs in shaping cultural dynamics (Matsumoto & Juang, 2013).

4. Scientific Knowledge vs. Popular Beliefs

Scientific knowledge is based on empirical evidence, systematic observation, and rigorous testing to validate theories and hypotheses. In contrast, popular beliefs often stem from anecdotal experiences, cultural myths, or traditions passed down through generations without scientific scrutiny. The module underscores the importance of distinguishing between scientifically validated information and unfounded assumptions or misconceptions to ensure accurate understanding of psychological principles (Shiraev & Levy, 2017).

5. Legal Knowledge vs. Scientific Knowledge

Scientific knowledge relies on the scientific method to generate reliable, replicable findings that contribute to the collective understanding of natural phenomena or human behavior. In contrast, legal knowledge pertains to laws, regulations, and judicial decisions that govern societal conduct and establish norms for justice and order. While scientific knowledge aims for objectivity and empirical validation, legal knowledge is shaped by legislative processes, historical precedents, and moral considerations unique to each legal system (Matsumoto & Juang, 2013).

In conclusion, cross-cultural psychology offers valuable insights into the intricate connections between culture and human psychology. By studying cultural variations, power dynamics, knowledge types, and responses to globalization, psychologists can deepen their understanding of how individuals’ beliefs, behaviors, and perceptions are shaped by their cultural contexts.

References:

– Markus, H. R., & Kitayama, S. (1991). Culture and the self: Implications for cognition, emotion, and motivation. Psychological Review, 98(2), 224–253.
– Shiraev, E., & Levy, D. A. (2017). Cross-cultural psychology: Critical thinking and contemporary applications (6th ed.). Routledge.
– Matsumoto, D., & Juang, L. (2013). Culture and psychology (5th ed.). Wadsworth Publishing.

 

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