Psychology and WEIRD Research

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Questions and Answers

What is the main focus of the process of indigenisation?

Creating an independent discipline rooted in local culture (correct)

Developing new theories based solely on indigenous knowledge

Adapting western theories exclusively

Emphasizing the importance of globalization in indigenous communities

Which stage of indigenisation involves recognizing the limitations of western theories?

Acknowledgement of western theory limitations (correct)

Creation of hybrid approaches

Correction and adaptation to local realities

Self-perpetuating discipline development

What defines a hybrid approach in the context of indigenisation?

Rejecting all forms of western influence

Integrating elements from both western and indigenous perspectives (correct)

Developing theories that are exclusively based on imported knowledge

Utilizing only traditional indigenous methods

Which characteristic is associated with the EMIC approach to indigenisation?

Creating indigenous theories based on local culture Signup and view all the answers

What does cosmology in an indigenous context primarily deal with?

Stories and beliefs about existence and purpose Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of individuals from the industrial westernized USA regarding social behavior?

They are more likely to engage in social loafing. Signup and view all the answers

What was one significant issue in the research conducted by Cameron & Stinson in 2019?

It failed to consider gender identity adequately. Signup and view all the answers

What is a fundamental feature of indigenous psychology?

It prioritizes indigenous cultural perspectives. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following regions has a long history of indigenous psychology dating back to the 1970s?

India Signup and view all the answers

According to Martinez Cobo, which feature does NOT identify indigenous people?

Being a dominant sector of society. Signup and view all the answers

What common impact of colonization is noted by Martinez Cobo regarding indigenous people's way of being?

It continues to impact their way of being. Signup and view all the answers

What type of research outcome is threatened by misclassification of participants in studies regarding gender identity?

Validity of the study results. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about westernized research subjects is accurate?

They rationalize their choices more than other cultures. Signup and view all the answers

What does the acronym WEIRD stand for in psychological research?

Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes one of the issues with the WEIRD research population?

It does not consider important dimensions of psychological variation. Signup and view all the answers

How are industrialized Western societies characterized in terms of reasoning?

They prioritize principles of justice and harm. Signup and view all the answers

In the Müller-Lyer illusion test, participants from non-industrialized societies typically demonstrate which behavior?

Easily recognize that the lines are equal. Signup and view all the answers

What psychological characteristic is common among industrialized non-Western societies?

Moral reasoning that involves a wider range of principles. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common trait of industrialized societies when it comes to risk in gambling?

Prefer waiting for potentially larger rewards. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these populations represents the majority of participants in psychological studies?

Participants from the USA. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key difference in how industrialized societies perceive visual illusions compared to non-industrialized societies?

Industrialized societies require a more significant difference before they see variation. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of Indigenous Australians live in cities?

35% Signup and view all the answers

What significant change occurred for Indigenous Australians in 1967?

Achieved citizenship Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT included in the self-concept definition?

Socioeconomic status Signup and view all the answers

Which type of self-construal values harmony with close others?

Relational interdependence Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of independent self-construal?

Values uniqueness Signup and view all the answers

How many distinct languages did Indigenous Australians have at the time of colonization?

260 Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of cosmology is emphasized in Indigenous Australian culture?

Interconnectivity of existence Signup and view all the answers

Which is a key component of self-awareness?

Introspection Signup and view all the answers

What does collective interdependence primarily emphasize?

Self view as part of a larger group Signup and view all the answers

Which study supports the self-construal theory with university students?

Singelis 1994 Signup and view all the answers

How did interdependent participants behave regarding financial choices in the studies?

They were risk-averse due to concern for others' well-being Signup and view all the answers

What was a key finding from Mandel's study concerning social and financial scenarios?

Financial decisions were riskier among independent participants Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of the self-concept of Indigenous Australians?

Emphasis on community and kinship ties Signup and view all the answers

Which principle best describes the holistic view of Aboriginal health and wellbeing?

Integration of community, tradition, and spiritual existence Signup and view all the answers

According to the studies, what motivated independent participants in risky social scenarios?

Desire to impress peers with social courage Signup and view all the answers

What defines culture according to the provided content?

A set of beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors that distinguish groups Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Psychological and Behavioural Variability

There is significant psychological and behavioural variation among people.
This includes how intensely we respond to stimuli, whether we respond, and the direction of our response.

The Rise of WEIRD Research

The inclusion of diverse participants and cultures in research began in the 1980s.
WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialised, Rich, Democratic) was introduced in 2010 by Henrich, Heine, and Norenzayan.
US researchers dominate the psychology field, representing 68% of participants and 73% of authors.
96% of psychology research participants are WEIRD, representing only 12% of the world's population.
WEIRD does not consider key psychological variations, like how strongly people respond to stimuli, or how they respond.

WEIRD Problems

WEIRD research can miss important dimensions of variation.
It can overemphasize behaviour patterns that are not universal.
This leads to incomplete and inaccurate understanding of human behaviour.

Cultural Differences in Perception and Decision Making

A study of the Müller-Lyer Illusion showed differences between industrialised and non-industrialised societies.
Non-industrialised societies are more likely to see lines as equal and prioritize immediate rewards over future gains.
Industrialised societies need a greater disparity in line lengths to perceive a difference and are more risk-averse.

Industralised Societies Categorization

Industrialised societies are categorized as either Non-Western or Western.
Western societies are further divided into Non-USA and USA.

Cultural Differences in Thinking and Reasoning

Industrialised Non-Western:
- Use a holistic perspective, seeing things as a whole.
- Explain and predict based on relationships between objects.
- Have a wider range of moral principles.
- Emphasize fulfilling interpersonal relationships.
- Moralize food, sex, and relationships.
Industrialised Western (USA):
- Use an analytical approach, focusing on individual objects.
- Explain and predict behaviour using categories.
- Prioritize justice and harm in moral reasoning.
- Have a stronger motivation for consistency.
- More prone to social loafing.

Industrialised Western (USA) Culture and Psychology

Industrialised Western (USA) culture:
- More individualistic.
- Prefer more choices.
- Use analytic reasoning.
- More likely to participate in research (4000 times more).
- Rationalize their choices.
- Less conforming.
- Focus on autonomy.
- Less prejudiced.
- Self-monitor.
- Susceptible to attitude change.
- Susceptible to social influence.

The Challenges of Gender Identity Research

Cameron and Stinson (2019) highlighted the limitations of gender and sex measurement in research.
Few studies account for transgender, non-binary, and gender-diverse individuals.
This misclassification of participants threatens the validity of results.
It also leads to ethical concerns, psychological harm, and prevents respect for gender diversity.

Indigenous Psychology

Indigenous psychology prioritizes the cultural context and perspective.
It studies indigenous communities and their values, focusing on their perspective rather than imposed theories.
It emphasizes the representation of local knowledge and experiences.

Types of Indigenous Psychology

There are two main types:
- Broader Definition: Used in countries like the Philippines, Taiwan, and India, this focuses on the entire population.
- Narrower Definition: Used in countries like Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, this focuses on historical and contemporary Indigenous peoples.

Indigenous People Definition

Martinez Cobo (1986) defined Indigenous peoples as:
- Those with continuous pre-colonial and pre-invasion societies.
- Distinct from other sectors of society.
- Non-dominant groups within society.
- Preserving and transmitting their culture.
- Identifiable by ethnic identity and ancestral territories.
- Maintaining distinct cultural patterns, institutions, and legal systems.

Impacts of Colonization on Indigenous Peoples:

Martinez Cobo (1995) identified three key impacts:
- Continued impacts from colonization.
- Adaptation, survival, and assimilation to colonization societies.
- Maintaining connections to their lands.

Indigenisation: Developing Indigenous Psychology

Indigenisation is creating indigenous psychology by developing local knowledge and practices.
It involves three stages:
- Acknowledging limitations of Western theories.
- Adapting and correcting Western theories to local contexts.
- Establishing self-perpetuating disciplines independent of Western psychology.

Enriquez’s (1993) Types of Indigenisation

Enriquez identified two types:
- ETIC/Without: Adapting imported materials to local contexts.
- EMIC/Within: Drawing on local knowledge and creating indigenous theories.

Cosmology

Cosmology provides a framework for understanding the universe and one's place within it.
It explores:
- The origin of the universe.
- Our relationship to and purpose in the universe.
- What individuals should do with their lives.
- Questions like "Who am I?" "Where do I fit in?" and "Where am I going?"

Indigenous Cosmologies

Filipino cosmology stems from ethnic psychology.
Taiwanese cosmology embraces Chinese, historical, cultural, and social traditions.
Indian cosmology incorporates Hinduism and folklore practices.

Indigenous Australians Facts

Indigenous Australians represent 3.3% of the Australian population.
The average age is 22.
They live in diverse locations, with 35% in cities, 20% in regional areas, 22% in outer regional areas, and 22% in remote areas.
At the time of colonization, there were 260 distinct languages.

Indigenous Australians Cosmology

Indigenous Australians believe in a spiritually connected universe.
They have a strong connection to their land and the spiritual realm.
Their lives are guided by their relationship to their country, family, kinship, and language group.

Impacts of Colonization on Indigenous Australians

Colonization significantly impacted Indigenous Australian culture.
They were controlled by the government from 1883 to 1967.
They officially received citizenship in 1967.

Self-awareness and Self-Concept

Self-awareness: The ability to think about ourselves.
Self-concept: Our knowledge about who we are and our sense of self.
It includes aspects like gender/sex, location, occupation, personality, likes/dislikes, physical attributes, nationality/ethnicity, relationships, religion, hobbies, and interests.

Self-Construal: Independent and Interdependent Self

Self-construal refers to how we define and make meaning of the self in relation to others.
Independent self-construal:
- Defines the self based on individual traits.
- Value uniqueness and independence.
- Focus on comparison to others.
- Common in Western countries.
Interdependent self-construal:
- Defines the self based on relationships and group membership.
- Values harmony with others.
- Common in non-Western countries (collectivist cultures).

Types of Interdependent Self-Construal

Relational Interdependence: Incorporates close relationships with others.
- Common in women and Western societies.
Collective Interdependence: Incorporates membership in large groups.
- Common in men.

Self-Construal Research

Research has used various approaches to study self-construal, focusing on its influence on decision-making and cultural differences.
Singelis (1994): Demonstrated a strong correlation between self-construal and cultural background.
Han & Humphreys (2016): Showed that self-construal influences how people perceive and react to social cues.
Hamilton & Biehal (2005): Found that independent individuals take more risks for personal gain, while interdependent individuals are more risk-averse to protect the greater good.
Mandel (2003): Discovered that self-construal influences risk-taking behaviour in both financial and social contexts.

The Self Concept of Indigenous Australians

Indigenous Australians have a holistic self-concept, connecting the individual to family, community, land, ancestors, and the spiritual realm.
This challenges Western views of self-identity.

Key Takeaways

The understanding of human psychology requires acknowledging cultural differences.
WEIRD research has limited the scope of our knowledge.
Indigenous psychology offers an inclusive perspective on human experience.
Self-construal theory helps understand the impact of culture on self-identity.
The concept of self is multifaceted and culturally shaped.
Indigenous Australians have a unique and holistic view of the self.

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Description

This quiz explores the psychological and behavioral variability among individuals, focusing on the implications of WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic) research. Examine how this dominance in psychology can overlook important cultural dimensions and responses to stimuli. Understand the significance of including diverse participant backgrounds in psychological studies.