PSY1SFP Week 5 Culture 1 PDF

PSY1SFP SCIENTIFIC FOUNDATIONS OF PSYCHOLOGY Methods and Ethics Dr Matthew Ruby [email protected] latrobe.edu.au CRICOS Provider 00115M Acknowledgment of Country In the spirit of reconciliation, I acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, s...

PSY1SFP SCIENTIFIC FOUNDATIONS OF PSYCHOLOGY Methods and Ethics Dr Matthew Ruby [email protected] latrobe.edu.au CRICOS Provider 00115M Acknowledgment of Country In the spirit of reconciliation, I acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea, and community. I pay my respect to Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people joining us in class today. Lecture Outline What is culture and how do we study it? Ethical considerations in cultural & community research Indigenous Psychology Learning Outcomes Students will be able to: Explain the difference between global and focal approaches to studying culture. Define and give examples of etic and emic research methods. Understand the principles of Indigenous psychology and the reasons for its development. A Little Bit About Me https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20220320tbingen-europes-fiercely-vegan-fairy-tale-city https://monsonmaine.org https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/ubc-studentstravel-home-coronavirus-pandemic https://fourdirectionsmaine.org/abo ut-four-directions/wabanaki-tribes/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/wennekath/32505788107 https://www.upenn.edu/life-at-penn/housing-and-dining What is Culture? Many definitions! Two common ones are: Heine (2020) two-part definition of culture Information (e.g., beliefs, habits, ideas which are learned from others) capable of influencing behaviour A group of people who share context and experience Matsumoto and Juang (2013) Meaning and information system, shared by a group and transmitted across generations Allows group to meet basic survival needs of survival Coordinates transmission of social behaviours that promote well-being and meaning in life Perspectives on Cultural Research Cross-cultural Psychology Similarities and differences across cultural and ethnic groups Culture as an Independent Variable Cultural Psychology Greater focus on interplay between psychological processes and socially constructed meaning Can’t understand psychology unless you understand culture Indigenous Psychology Focus on specific cultural groups and settings Scientific approach that follows a particular culture’s own premises How to Study Cultural Impacts? Global approach (etic approach; view from outside) Assumes that cultures differ in degree Studies a culture by comparing it to other cultures on pancultural, or universal, dimensions Typically used by cross-cultural & cultural psychologists The focal approach (emic approach; view from inside) Assumes all concepts vary from culture to culture Seeks to understand a culture by studying how its associated “meanings” are socially and historically constructed Typically used by Indigenous psychologists (Chiu & Hong, 2013) The Global Approach Cognitive structures (e.g., values, normal, the self) are universal, so we can compare their contents. For example: In personality psychology, it is assumed that all individuals have a trait ‘neuroticism’ to a certain degree (from very low to very high). Thus, people can be compared along the dimension of neuroticism. Assuming that in all cultures people endorse a particular value (e.g., the importance of treating people equally) to a certain degree, we can compare different cultures along that value dimension. Licensed under CC0 But it’s a bit complicated… Be careful not to fall into stereotyping. There are individual differences within a culture, due e.g., to personality, personal attitudes, personal values. Within a country there are sub-cultures (e.g., rural vs. urban, footy fans, students, academics). A shared culture may be loosely organised or ‘distributed’ within a large group like a country. Cultures can change a LOT over time. https://tastykitchen.com/recipes/sidedishes/australian-potato-scallops/ Cultural Change & Books Licensed under CC0 Word Frequencies in US- American Books (Greenfield, 2013) Word Frequencies in US- American Books (Greenfield, 2013) Word Frequencies in US- American Books (Greenfield, 2013) Word Frequencies in US- American Books chili sushi Why the Shift? (Greenfield, 2013) Google Trends: Dietary Interest 2004-2018 Vegan: (Worldwide) Vegetarian: (Worldwide) 100 90 Magnitude 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 (Google Trends, 2018) Explaining Differences When Group A and Group B exhibit very different behaviours, the real reason for the observed differences is unknown without further investigation. Cross-cultural and cultural psychologists try to ‘unpack’ or explain the reason for the observed group differences. It may be due to: Values Religious beliefs Specific norms Economic, historical, or demographic factors The Focal Approach Often examines some culture-specific concepts (emic concepts) that are influential in the particular culture. Whether or not those ‘emic concepts’ are truly unique to that culture needs to be tested. Sometimes, concepts that are similar in meanings are found in distant cultures. Licensed under CC0 Which of these events would make you the happiest? a) A celebrity who inherited a fortune from their parents loses most of it to bad investments. b) A sports team you dislike loses badly to their rivals. c) A bird poos all over a well-dressed businessman. d) What’s wrong with you Matt? None of these things would make me happy! Emic Concept: Schadenfreude Schadenfreude is a German word, and roughly translates to “malicious joy”. Part of the (ironic?) saying, “Schadenfreude ist die reinste Freude”. An emotional state that is more often experienced when: The person feels inferior to the target. The person envies the target. The target is perceived as having undeserved success. Sometimes compared to “tall poppy syndrome” See also leedvermaak (Dutch) and joie maligne (French) (Feather, 2012; Hareli & Weiner, 2002; Leach et al., 2003; Smith et al., 1996; van Dijk et al., 2005) https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/weeklystandard/schadenfreude-for-beginners Emic Concept: Amae Amae is widely considered a Japanese emic concept concerning interpersonal relations. It means “to depend and presume upon another’s love or bask in another’s indulgence”. Amae involves ‘sweetness’, warmth, security, and intimacy. It is a behavioural script involving a set of assumptions (1) The amae-requester seeks indulgence, or being spoilt. (2) Both partners have intimacy motivations. (3) The partner’s acceptance of the amae request will enhance their intimacy. (Marshall et al., 2011) “A young Japanese mother and the child” by Etsuko Naka is licensed under CC BY 2.0 Other Emic Concepts Guanxi (China)* – “connections” or informal particularistic ties of loyalty Philotimos (Greece) – ‘friend of honour’, one who is obliging to family & friends Simpatía (México) – likeability, good humour, outgoingness Mateship (Australia) - companionship or friendship, especially between men (Smith et al., 2011) https://blog.collinsdictionary.com/language-learners/learningspanish/spanish-word-of-the-week-simpatico/ Considerations in Cultural Research Basic principles to keep in mind: 1. People view and evaluate other cultures from the perspective of their own. 2. Some psychological principles are universal, and some are culture-specific. 3. Several key cultural dimensions aid our understanding and study of cross-cultural phenomena. 4. Despite the many cultural differences identified by cross-cultural researchers, people in various cultures share more commonalities than differences. (Quoted from Keith, 2019, p. 12). Practice Question Which of these events is LEAST likely to cause people to experience Schadenfreude? a) A federal minister being removed from his position after it’s exposed that he plagiarized his doctoral dissertation b) A server dropping a tray of water glasses c) A wealthy politician being arrested for corruption d) A celebrity having a messy breakup Emic Research Methods Indigenous psychologists often promote the use of emic (culturally-appropriate) research methods, rather than the use of imported methods (especially psychological scales developed in distant cultures). But why? Caveat: I’m a researcher and teacher, but do not practice psych. Expertise in cultural psychology, but still LOTS to learn in this area. Focus on work and materials by and for Indigenous peoples. Indigenous Psychology- Why? 60,000-75,000 years of rich culture and history Oldest continuous cultures in the world Colonisation began ~200 years ago Terra Nullius Frontier Wars and genocide Forced removal from Country Stolen Generations Continued lack of constitutional recognition Higher risk of negative outcomes: suicide (2.3x), psychological distress (2.5x) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth (10-24): 1/3 reported being treated differently because of their race (ABS, 2019, 2020; Trill, 2020) https://ulurustatement.org/ Indigenous Psychology- Why? Significant intergenerational trauma, but also a long history of survival, strength, and resilience 250+ distinct language groups and cultures Tens of thousands of years of cultural knowledge Image: Names and regions as used in The Encyclopaedia of Aboriginal Australia (D. Horton, general editor), published in 1994 by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (IATSIS), Aboriginal Studies Press, Canberra, ACT, Australia. Indigenous Psychology- Why? “Indigenous Psychology is an intellectual movement across the globe, based on the following factors: 1. A reaction against the colonization/hegemony of Western psychology. 2. The need for non-Western cultures to solve their local problems through Indigenous practices and applications. 3. The need for a non-Western culture to recognize itself in the constructs and practices of psychology. 4. The need to use Indigenous philosophies and concepts to generate theories of global discourse.” https://www.indigenouspsych.org/ Indigenous Psychology Incorporates and draws on Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing Considers impact of colonisation and ongoing systems Self-determination Culturally responsive and safe principles and practices Decolonisation of research methods- e.g., Aboriginal Participatory Action Research (APAR) Use of Indigenous paradigms- e.g., Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) https://www.indigenouspsych.org/ Social and Emotional Wellbeing Nine guiding principles that underpin SEWB 1. Health as holistic 2. The right to self-determination 3. The need for cultural understanding 4. The impact of history in trauma and loss 5. Recognition of human rights 6. The impact of racism and stigma 7. Recognition of the centrality of kinship 8. Recognition of cultural diversity 9. Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander strengths https://timhwb.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/SEWB-fact-sheet.pdf Aboriginal Participatory Action Research Strengths-based Indigenous Research Methodology Addresses need and priorities of communities Research must benefit Aboriginal peoples Co-designed research in genuine partnership with communities Centres local voices, local solutions, community needs Promotes empowerment, self-determination, SEWB Focus on decolonisation Draws on Indigenous Knowledge Systems (Dudgeon et al., 2020) https://nit.com.au/22-03-2024/10418/australian-indigenous-psychologyeducation-project-keeping-the-fire-burning-blak-loud-and-proud Ethical Considerations: Overlaps with Participatory Research More Generally Minimize the risk of harm Obtain informed consent Avoid deceptive practices Provide the right to withdraw Prior consultation with community leaders, and other members of the community through meetings Employing researchers in the community for collecting data Protect anonymity and confidentiality © International Alert 2015. Cover photo: A mini-dialogue at Kingi, Kamuronza groupement, Masisi, Nord-Kivu, April 2015. Ethical Considerations What’s in it for participants? Community-driven Community input Community outcomes Respect for (protected) knowledge Culturally appropriate research methods Who is doing the research? What questions are being asked? How are questions being asked? Engaging Australian Aboriginal youth in mental health services This week’s assigned (and examinable) reading gives an overview of a model to engage Aboriginal youth (13-17) in mental health settings, and a review of common barriers and solutions to culturally-appropriate care. We don’t expect you to memorise all the practice-specific details, but to understand why this work is important, and the common barriers and solutions to provision to culturallyappropriate care. (Westerman, 2010) Further Resources AIPEP Resource Hub https://indigenouspsyched.org.au/resources/ Wellmob https://wellmob.org.au/ IndigenousX https://indigenousx.com.au/ Transforming Indigenous Mental Health and Wellbeing https://timhwb.org.au/ Lowitja Institute https://www.lowitja.org.au/resources Black Rainbow https://blackrainbow.org.au/