Psychological Variability Overview

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Questions and Answers

What does the acronym WEIRD stand for in the context of psychological research?

Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic (correct)

World, Eclectic, Independent, Resilient, Diverse

Wealthy, Educated, Independent, Rational, Democratic

Western, Educated, Inclusive, Responsive, Democratic

Which of the following is NOT identified as a limitation of using WEIRD participants in research?

Inconsistent sampling methods (correct)

Results may not generalize beyond WEIRD individuals

Overemphasis on unusual behavior tendencies

Miss important dimensions of variation

How does psychological and behavioral variability influence responses to stimuli?

It shapes how intensely, whether, and in which direction an individual responds (correct)

It changes the methodology of psychological research

It determines the geographical location of the response

It affects the levels of education and income of the respondents

What is one key finding reported in the Müller-Lyer Illusions Index test between industrialized and non-industrialized societies?

Industrialized societies require larger differences in line lengths to perceive equality Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding the representation of psychology participants in studies?

96% of psychology research participants are WEIRD Signup and view all the answers

What is a common response pattern observed in non-industrialized societies compared to industrialized societies?

Industrialized individuals wait longer for larger financial rewards Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is primarily overlooked by research focused on WEIRD populations?

Cultural differences in responding to stimuli Signup and view all the answers

What demographic percentage does WEIRD populations represent on a global scale?

12% Signup and view all the answers

What is a key impact of colonization on Indigenous people according to Martinez Cobo?

Their way of being is still being impacted by colonization. Signup and view all the answers

What is the process by which local cultures develop their own forms of knowledge and practice called?

Indigenisation Signup and view all the answers

What is the first stage of Indigenisation?

Acknowledgment of the limitation of western theories. Signup and view all the answers

Which approach to Indigenisation involves creating indigenous versions of imported materials?

Etic/Without Signup and view all the answers

What is one characteristic of the Emic/Within approach to Indigenisation?

It creates entirely new theories from indigenous culture. Signup and view all the answers

What do Indigenous cosmologies aim to explain?

The relationship and purpose of individuals in the universe. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Indigenous people's lives as identified by Martinez Cobo?

Total independence from settler societies. Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical aspect of Indigenous psychology as per the process of Indigenisation?

It evolves into a self-perpetuating discipline. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the moral reasoning in industrial Non-Western contexts?

Wider range of moral principles Signup and view all the answers

What is a major flaw found in transgender and non-binary research according to Cameron & Stinson 2019?

Most studies use a binary choice for gender measurement Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about industrialised Western contexts is true?

Attributes of objects are emphasized Signup and view all the answers

What describes the individualistic nature of the industrialised Westernised USA?

Greater emphasis on autonomy Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of indigenous psychology?

To study indigenous people using relevant methodologies Signup and view all the answers

What can be a consequence of misclassifying gender in research on transgender and non-binary individuals?

Potential invalidation of study results Signup and view all the answers

How do the characteristics of industrialised Non-Western reasoning differ from those in Western contexts?

Greater integration of moral principles and relationships Signup and view all the answers

What defines the first camp of indigenous psychology mentioned in the content?

It includes individuals residing in a country regardless of their background Signup and view all the answers

What effect does binary gender measurement have on individuals in research studies?

Leads to feelings of erasure of identity Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key feature of indigenous psychology?

The development of concepts sourced from indigenous cultures Signup and view all the answers

What describes industrialised Western cultures' approach to social influence?

Higher susceptibility to both attitude change and social influences Signup and view all the answers

How do both types of indigenous psychology challenge Western theories?

They critique the relevance of Western theories to indigenous contexts Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the second camp of indigenous psychology?

It pertains specifically to the first inhabitants of a land Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect is NOT associated with indigenous psychology according to the content?

The integration of foreign psychological practices Signup and view all the answers

What is a shared characteristic of both camps of indigenous psychology?

They both arose from the influence of colonization Signup and view all the answers

What is a goal of indigenous psychology as per the principles outlined?

To preserve and transmit cultural knowledge for future generations Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of Indigenous Australians live in cities?

35% Signup and view all the answers

What is the average age of Indigenous Australians?

22 Signup and view all the answers

What type of self-construal defines the self in relation to stable personality traits?

Independent self-construal Signup and view all the answers

How is the self-concept primarily understood?

As our knowledge about who we are Signup and view all the answers

Colonization had what impact on Indigenous cultures?

Destroyed indigenous culture Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes chronic self-construal?

Static and consistent self-description Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best reflects interdependent self-construal?

I define myself through my family and community. Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT a component of self-awareness?

Understanding societal norms Signup and view all the answers

What defines the self-view in relational interdependence?

Close relationships with other people Signup and view all the answers

Which demographic is suggested to predominantly have a collective interdependence self-view?

Men Signup and view all the answers

What were the findings of the study by Hamilton & Biehal (2005) regarding independent and interdependent participants?

Interdependent participants were risk-averse to protect the greater good. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect does the self-concept of Indigenous Australians emphasize?

The holistic connection to community and ancestors Signup and view all the answers

Which study primarily focused on assessing self-construal through a scale?

Singelis 1994 Signup and view all the answers

What method did Mandel (2003) use to prime participants for independence or interdependence?

Scenario-based narratives Signup and view all the answers

According to the findings of Mandel (2003), how did interdependent participants behave in social scenarios?

They tended to be risk-averse in social situations. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best represents the cultural perspective on self-concept mentioned in the content?

Culture influences how individuals relate to each other and adapt. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Psychological and Behavioral Variability

Considerable variability exists among the human population in how people respond to stimuli.
This includes differences in intensity of response, whether a response occurs, and the direction of the response.
Research in the 1980s began to acknowledge and incorporate diverse participants and cultures.

WEIRD Population

WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic) represents 12% of the global population.
68% of psychology participants are from the USA.
96% of participants are WEIRD.
73% of authors are from USA Universities.
99% are from Western countries.
Studies often lack diversity impacting the generalizability of results.
WEIRD doesn't consider psychological variability across cultures.

Psychological and Behavioral Variability (cont.)

Psychological and behavioral variability influences how intensely a person responds to stimuli, if they respond at all, and the manner in which they respond.

WEIRD Problems & Limitations

WEIRD research often misses important dimensions of cultural variation and global patterns of behavior.
Research often focuses on unusual behavior patterns specific to the WEIRD context.
Research methodology tends to be inconsistent and incomplete regarding the understanding of diverse cultures.
Findings may only apply to people within the WEIRD group.
Researchers may focus on WEIRD countries, neglecting valuable insights from other cultures.
Social psychologists are interested in all people, not just a small, limited group based on the WEIRD aspect.

Industrialized vs. Non-Industrialized Societies

Studies examined differences in visual perception illusions between industrialized and non-industrialized populations.
Non-industrialized societies individuals readily perceive lines as equal.
Industrialized societies individuals require clear differences in line length to correctly identify that the lines are not equal.
Risk aversion is higher in industrialized societies compared to non-industrialized societies in gambling.

Industrialized Two Categories

Industrialized societies have two key categories: Non-Western and Western.
- Western societies include Non-US and US populations.

Industrial Non-Western

Holistic perspective: emphasizes interconnectedness and relationships.
Moral reasoning considers a wider range of moral principles.
Prioritize fulfilling interpersonal relationships and recognizing divinity.
Focus on moralizing aspects of food and relationships.

Industrialized Western

Analytical perspective: focuses on individual attributes detached from their context.
Emphasizes established categories and rules to understand and explain behavior.
Moral reasoning emphasizes justice and harm principles for judging moral behaviors.
Predominately from the USA

Industrial Westernised USA

High levels of individualism.
Preference for more choices (e.g., ice cream flavors).
Analytic reasoning is common.
Higher likelihood of recruitment in research.
Rationalization of choices.
Less conformity.
Focus on autonomy.
Less prejudice.
Self-monitoring behavior is common.
Susceptibility to attitude change.
Susceptibility to social influence.
Prone to social loafing.

Gender Diverse Research

Most studies categorized gender as male/female or man/woman.
No studies measured differences in gender and sex.
These studies fail to account for, deny or erase gender identity of people not fitting into binary categories.
Inaccurate participant descriptions threaten research validity.
Research can cause reactance effects that undermine the validity of results.

Ethical Concerns in Gender Diverse Research

Studies that categorize gender in binary categories are unethical and damaging.
Ethically problematic studies cause psychological harm and disrespect gender diversity,
They undermine the dignity and respect that people should receive regarding their gender.

Indigenous Psychology

Indigenous psychology is psychology that focuses on and for indigenous people, using methods and concepts tailored to their cultures.
Prioritizes indigenous cultural perspectives and methodology.
Relevant to the indigenous, native culture, and people, reflecting their sociocultural values.
Indigenous culture is the source of concepts and theories rather than imposed knowledge.

Two Types of Indigenous Psychology

Scholars studying in Western institutions utilize imported western theories, which impact research on indigenous peoples.
The imported theories have a background of colonialism.

Types of Indigenous Groups

Philippines, Taiwan, and India: This group has a long history of psychology, starting in the 1970s, where the term "indigenous" is used for people residing in countries, regardless of their origin.
Australia, NZ, and Canada: History of indigenous psychology is shorter or non-existent. This group defines indigenous people as the first inhabitants of the land. Indigenous psychology here is specifically for Aboriginal or Maori people.

Common Features of Indigenous People (Martinez Cobo 1995)

Shared historical continuity with pre-invasion and pre-colonial societies; have distinct differences from other populations.
Dominantly live on their ancestral lands.
Commit to preserving their traditions for future generations.
Maintain their ethnic identities and cultural territories.
Uphold unique and ancestral cultural practices, social institutions, and legal systems.

Colonization

Colonization is the invasion and subjugation of an existing population.

Indigenization

Indigenous psychology is developed through the process of indigenization, creating its own localized methodologies and knowledge bases.
Initially focuses on acknowledging the limitations of Western ways of thinking.
Second, adapting Western ideas to fit local realities is crucial.
Indigenous methods and concepts are developed third.

Two Types of Indigenization (Enriquez 1993)

ETIC/Without: Imported concepts are adapted for the indigenous context (translation and adaptation).
EMIC/Within: Indigenous culture contributes concepts, knowledge and theories from within the communities themselves.

Cosmology

Cosmology is an origin narrative, explaining the universe and humanity's purpose in it.
Includes stories, beliefs, origin of the universe, human roles, and individual relationships, and purpose in the universe.
Addresses questions about individual identities.

Different Indigenous Cosmologies

Filipino: Developed from ethnic psychology, with Chinese historical, cultural and Buddhist traditions.
Taiwanese: Rooted in Chinese history, cultural, and language traditions, including Buddhist elements.
Indian: Intertwined with Hinduism and folklore traditions.

Indigenous Australians

3.3% of the total population.
Average age is 22.
Distinctive living arrangements (cities, regional, outer regional, remote).
Over 260 distinct Indigenous languages at the time of colonization.

Understandings of Indigenous Cultures

Understanding the indigenous relationship to land.
Connections to social, religious, and spiritual activities.
Knowledge of family, kin, and language group.
Spiritual connections between individuals related to well-being,
Obligations of individuals to each other based on defined responsibilities, expectations, and behaviors.

Self-Awareness

Self-awareness is the conscious act of thinking about oneself.
Introspection is a key component of self-awareness.

Self-Concept

The content of the self is knowledge about who we are.
Individual feelings about the self are a part of self-concept.

Self-Construal

Self-construal is how individuals define and understand themselves in relation to others.
Salient self-construal describes how individuals see themselves in specific contexts.
Chronic self-construal consistently describes how individuals see themselves.
Independent self-construal: defining oneself through stable personality traits and valuing uniqueness. Independent self-construal is prevalent in Western contexts.
Interdependent self-construal: defining oneself in relation to others. This is common in non-Western contexts.
- Relational interdependence views the self through the close relationships with others. Common in Westernized contexts.
- Collective interdependence defines oneself through membership in a larger group. This type of understanding is more prevalent among non-Western people.
The two main types of self-construal according to many theorists is Independent and Interdependent.

Self-Construal Studies

Studies have supported the theory of self-construal through various research methodologies with different populations.

Indigenous Australian Self-Concept

Holistic definition of aboriginal health and wellbeing that extends to the whole community.
Encompasses the self, kin, family, community, traditional lands, ancestors, and spiritual existence.
Challenges Western conceptions of the self.
Historical determinants, social determinants, and political determinants are involved in determining the self-concept.

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Description

Explore the complexities of psychological and behavioral variability among different populations. This quiz delves into the significance of the WEIRD population in psychology and the implications of lacking diversity in research. Understand how cultural differences influence responses to stimuli.