2.1.2: Two Views of Culture
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Understanding the Etic Perspective in Cross-Cultural Psychology
An etic perspective refers to a psychological construct or process that is considered universal and applicable across all cultures. This perspective is foundational to cross-cultural psychology, which seeks to identify similarities in human behavior, cognition, and development across diverse cultural contexts. For example, in child development research, an etic approach would compare developmental stages, such as those outlined by Jean Piaget, across multiple cultures to determine commonalities in cognitive growth.
Cultural Universals in Psychology
Cultural universals are psychological processes and behaviors that exist in every human society, regardless of cultural background. These universal attributes form the basis of psychological studies that aim to understand human nature across cultures. Some key examples of cultural universals include:
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Language and Cognition – The ability to develop and use language, as well as fundamental cognitive processes like memory and problem-solving.
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Group Membership – The human tendency to form social groups, cooperate, and establish social hierarchies.
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Rituals – Ceremonial or symbolic behaviors that are practiced across cultures, such as rites of passage or religious ceremonies.
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Emotions – The expression and recognition of basic emotions, such as happiness, sadness, anger, and fear, which are widely studied in universal emotion theory (Ekman, 1999).
Etic vs. Emic Perspectives
The etic perspective contrasts with the emic perspective, which focuses on cultural differences and the unique psychological processes that shape behaviors within specific cultural contexts. The emic approach is often referred to as an ‘insider’s perspective,’ as it emphasizes cultural specificity and localized experiences. While this perspective provides valuable insights, it also carries the risk of cultural bias—particularly if the researcher is a member of the culture they are studying. In such cases, an insider-researcher may unintentionally overlook aspects of their culture that seem self-evident or fail to recognize how cultural practices might be perceived from an external viewpoint.
Balancing Etic and Emic Approaches
Both etic and emic perspectives are essential in psychological research, and a balanced approach is often the most effective way to study human behavior. While the etic perspective helps identify universal psychological principles, the emic perspective ensures that cultural nuances are acknowledged and understood. By integrating both perspectives, psychologists can develop more comprehensive theories that account for both universal and culturally specific dimensions of human experience.
References
Ekman, P. (1999). Basic emotions. In T. Dalgleish & M. Power (Eds.), Handbook of cognition and emotion (pp. 45-60). John Wiley & Sons.