Psychology Quiz: Understanding WEIRD Populations

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

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

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

Western, Evolved, Inclusive, Rational, Democratic

Wealthy, Educated, Insightful, Rational, Democratic

Widespread, Engaged, Inclusive, Robust, Diverse

Which of the following is NOT a limitation of studies based on WEIRD populations?

They miss important dimensions of variation.

They focus on behaviors unusual in a global context.

Results may only apply to WEIRD individuals.

They provide a complete understanding of human psychology. (correct)

What percentage of psychology participants are from WEIRD populations according to the data presented?

73%

68%

99%

96% (correct)

In the Müller-Lyer illusion test, how did non-industrialised societies typically respond?

They easily see the lines are equal. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the behavioral tendencies of industrialised societies compared to non-industrialised societies?

They are more risk-averse when gambling. Signup and view all the answers

What factor is indicated to influence how a person responds to stimuli?

Psychological and behavioral variability Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of authors in psychological studies comes from universities in the USA?

73% Signup and view all the answers

How does the WEIRD research context impact social psychologists' interests?

They often neglect issues important to non-WEIRD regions. Signup and view all the answers

Which feature of indigenous people is characterized by adapting to the dominant settler society?

Way of being impacted by colonization Signup and view all the answers

What is the first stage of the indigenisation process?

Acknowledging limitations of western theories Signup and view all the answers

Which term refers to the invasion of a geographical area by a new group leading to the subjugation of existing peoples?

Colonization Signup and view all the answers

What does the etic approach to indigenisation involve?

Translating and adapting Western theories Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following questions relates to an individual's cosmology?

What is the purpose of my existence? Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of an emic approach to indigenisation?

Drawing on local indigenous knowledge Signup and view all the answers

Which stage in the process of indigenisation ensures the discipline remains independent of Western psychology?

Self-perpetuating discipline Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the hybrid approach to indigenisation?

Combination of adapted and indigenous theories Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of Indigenous Australians live in remote areas?

22% Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best captures the focus of Indigenous Australians' cosmology?

Understanding the world as spiritually interconnected. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant impact of colonization on Indigenous cultures?

Destruction of Indigenous culture. Signup and view all the answers

Which group is most likely to value independence based on personality traits?

Societies with individualistic values. Signup and view all the answers

What is the average age of Indigenous Australians?

22 years Signup and view all the answers

In terms of self-concept, which of the following is NOT typically included?

Social media presence Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes chronic self-construal?

Describing oneself consistently across various situations. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered a subtype of interdependent self-construal?

Collective self-construal Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of indigenous psychology?

It reflects the sociocultural values of indigenous people. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about indigenous psychology in the Philippines, Taiwan, and India is true?

It refers to all people residing in the country. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the camp of indigenous psychology in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada?

It focuses primarily on the first inhabitants of the land. Signup and view all the answers

According to Martinez Cobo's definition, which characteristic applies to indigenous people?

They aim to preserve their ethnic identity and ancestral territories. Signup and view all the answers

What is a commonality between both types of indigenous psychology?

They contrast imported Western theories and methods. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary concern regarding traditional measures such as binaries in research with indigenous populations?

They may misrepresent the views of indigenous respondents. Signup and view all the answers

How should indigenous psychology methodology be characterized?

It should reflect the context and culture of indigenous peoples. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is NOT true about indigenous psychology?

It supports the dominance of Western psychological approaches. Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes a self-view that is defined by close relationships with others?

Relational Interdependence Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes self-view in collective interdependence?

Defined by membership in large groups Signup and view all the answers

In the studies of self-construal theory, what did independent participants tend to do with money?

Make riskier choices for personal gain Signup and view all the answers

What was the finding of Mandel's 2003 study regarding interdependent participants?

Less risky in social scenarios due to familial support Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, how does the self concept of Indigenous Australians differ from Western ideas?

Emphasizes a holistic view including community and traditional connections Signup and view all the answers

What cultural principles are encompassed in the definition of culture presented?

Values, norms, and techniques of survival Signup and view all the answers

In Singelis' 1994 study at Hawaii University, what was measured using the Self-construal Scale?

Self-construal types and their implications Signup and view all the answers

Which demographic did Han & Humphreys 2016 focus on in their study?

University students Signup and view all the answers

Which approach is characteristic of industrial non-Western perspectives?

Holistic view that emphasizes relationships Signup and view all the answers

What is a notable characteristic of industrialized Western moral reasoning?

Focus on justice and harm principles Signup and view all the answers

What issue arises from the predominant binary measurement of gender in research?

It simplifies the complexities of gender identity. Signup and view all the answers

What impact does misclassifying gender have on research outcomes?

It prevents participant dignity and respect. Signup and view all the answers

How do industrialized Western individuals typically view choices?

As a means to express autonomy Signup and view all the answers

What psychological effect may result from the denial of true gender identity in research?

Adverse effects on mental health Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following characters features are typical of the industrialized Westernized USA?

Proneness to social loafing Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of failing to acknowledge diverse gender identities in research?

Inaccurate demographic descriptions Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Psychological and Behavioural Variability

Considerable variation exists in how people respond to stimuli.
This includes intensity of response, whether a response occurs, and the direction of the response.

WEIRD Population

WEIRD stands for Western, Educated, Industrialised, Rich, and Democratic.
A large portion (68%) of psychological participants in studies come from the USA.
96% of participants in psychological studies fit the WEIRD criteria.
This represents only 12% of the world's population.
73% of authors in psychological studies come from USA universities.
99% of authors are from universities in Western Countries.
Psychological studies lack diversity and do not consider psychological variability across different populations adequately.

WEIRD Problems & Limitations

Important dimensions of variation are often missed.
Behavioral tendencies unusual in a global context are overemphasized.
Studies may provide uneven and incomplete understanding.
Findings may not apply to all people - WEIRD people or cultures only.
Social psychologists are interested in how all people, not only small groups, respond in social situations.

Non-Industrialised Societies

Easily see lines as equal length in visual perception tasks.
Will take smaller amount of money now instead of waiting for a larger reward later

Industrialised Societies

Need lines to be very different lengths before seeing them as unequal in visual perception tasks.
More risk adverse when making gambling decisions.

Industrial Non-western

Holistic perspective, viewing things as whole and connected.
Relationships between objects are used to explain and predict.
Moral reasoning considers multiple principles and cultures.
Interpersonal relationships and well-being are important.
Moral implications are attributed to things such as food and relationships.

Industrial Western

Analytical perspective is prominent.
Objects or details are studied distinctly from their context.
Focus on attributes to explain and predict behavior.
Principles of justice and harm are important moral reasoning constructs.

Industrial Westernised USA

More individualistic tendencies.
Prefer greater choice in things such as ice-cream flavors.
4000 more likely to participate in research.
Rationalize choices and are less conformist.
Focus more on autonomy and less prejudiced.
Self-monitoring and susceptible to attitude and social influence.

Gender-Diverse Research

Studies often measure gender using a binary approach.
No study examined the impact of gender differences in sex.
Research often denied or erased non-gender conforming identities.
Research often failed to reflect the 6800 demographic group not studied.
Misclassification of participants can lead to faulty results.
The denial of gender identities can be harmful.
Respect for diversity in gender presentation is crucial.

Indigenous Psychology Definition

Indigenous psychology is focused on and for indigenous people using indigenous methodology and concepts.
Prioritises culturally-appropriate perspectives rather than imposed knowledge.
Employs principles and values from local cultures.

Two Types of Indigenous Psychology

Both challenge Western theories and methodologies imported from colonial groups.
Both groups also experience colonization effects.

Indigenous Psychology Origins

Cultures with long histories of psychology, such as those in the Philippines, Taiwan, and India, are examined and defined as indigenous.
Cultures with limited or no prior history of Indigenous Psychology (Australia, NZ, and Canada) are also examined.
These are based on first inhabitants of the land.

Three Common Features of Indigenous People (Martinez Cobo 1995)

Historical continuity with pre-invasion cultures.
Distinct from other societal groups currently residing on their traditional lands.
Focus on preserving and transmitting their culture for future generations
Ethnic identity tied to territories.
Live with their own cultural traditions and systems in social, legal settings.

Colonization

Invasion of a region by a group and the subjugation and displacement of existing people.

Indigenization

Creates indigenous psychology by developing distinctive forms of its own knowledge and practices.
An important first step is recognizing that Western theories don't always apply directly.
Adaptations to Western theories, or alternative native theories, often occur.
Eventually, indigenous psychology gains its own distinct identity.

Stages of Indigenization

Acknowledgement of Western theory weaknesses.
Adaptation of Western theories to accurately reflect local realities.
Development of new concepts and methods rooted in local cultures.

Two Types of Indigenization (Enriquez 1993)

ETIC (Without): A hybrid approach of developing indigenous version of the imported material and adapting to the indigenous context. This is achieved by translating Western theories and changing them with cultural language and context.
EMIC (Within): Starts with principles developed within the indigenous context, drawing on local knowledge to create its own theories.

The Self:

Self-awareness: the act of thinking about oneself.
Self-concept: the content of the self. Includes things such as: knowledge about who we are, our sense of self, our gender or sex, our location, our occupation, our personality, likes, dislikes, physical attributes, nationality, relationships, religion, hobbies, and interests.

Chronicity:

Defining: how one uniquely defines themselves and how it distinguishes them from other people.

Two Types of Self-Construal

Independent: individuals define themselves in terms of personality traits. They value independence and uniqueness, and compare themselves to others. Important in Western cultures.
Interdependent: Individuals define themselves in terms of their relationships or groups. They value harmony with others and prioritize group membership. Common in non-western cultures.

Two Types of Interdependence Self-Construal

Relational interdependence: Self-view is defined by close relationships with other people.
Collective interdependence: Self-view is defined by one's group membership in larger social groups.

Study of Self-Construal Theory (Singelis 1994)

Research with Hawaiian university students supported the self-construal theory
Used a self-construal scale as measurement

Study of Self-Construal Theory (Han & Humphreys 2016)

Cognitive, affective, Interpersonal, and motivational consequences of independent and interdependent self-construals are outlined and discussed.

Self-Construal Study (Hamilton & Biehal 2005)

Independent participants make riskier decisions with money for personal gain.
Interdependent participants are more averse to risk because they are concerned with the wellbeing of others.

Self-Construal Study (Mandel 2003)

Participants primed for independent or interdependent views made choices in financial and social scenarios.
Results suggested interdependent people are more likely to get support from family, when they are not successful professionally.

The Self-Concept of Indigenous Australians

Aboriginal health and wellbeing are holistically interconnected with community, kinship, family, land, ancestors, and spiritual existence.

Cosmology

Origin narrative that explains the universe, our place in it, and our purpose.
Includes stories, beliefs, and concepts related to beginnings and individual purpose.

Different Indigenous Cosmologies

Filipino cosmology draws on Ethnic Psychology and Chinese culture
Taiwanese cosmology draws on Chinese historical, cultural and language traditions and Buddhism
Indian cosmology aligns with Hinduism and folklore practices

Indigenous Australians Facts

Indigenous Australian population is 3.3%
Average age is 22.
Living in settings including cities (35%), regional (20%), outer regional (22%) and remote (22%).
At time of colonization had 260 distinct languages.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge on the concept of WEIRD populations in psychological research. This quiz covers their characteristics, common biases, and the influence of cultural contexts on behavior. Explore how these factors shape the methodologies and findings in psychology.