Identify cross cultural considerations when assessing behavior
Name cultural Universals and Particulars
Identify components of reliable cross-cultural research methods
The role of culture influencing stress. Challenges in translating psycho-metric and psychological tests in general. Linguistic and cultural considerations when delivering services to individuals from different cultures.
Sample Answer
Effective cross-cultural practice in psychology and related fields requires a deep understanding of how culture influences behavior, assessment, and service delivery. This involves recognizing both common human elements (universals) and specific cultural expressions (particulars).
Cross-Cultural Considerations in Assessing Behavior
When assessing behavior, it's crucial to integrate culturally relevant variables to ensure fairness, accuracy, and sensitivity. The core consideration is that culture shapes behavior, communication style, and the interpretation of assessment tools.
Cultural Universals and Particulars
Cultural Universals are elements, patterns, traits, or institutions that are common to all human cultures, regardless of geographical or social differences. They center around solving basic human survival needs or desires.
Examples of Universals:
Family Unit/Kinship: All cultures have a structure for raising children and organizing relationships.
Language: All cultures possess a complex system of verbal communication.
Eating/Food Preparation: All cultures prepare food and have norms around consumption.
Religion/Belief System: All cultures have some form of faith system, rituals (like death rituals), or beliefs about a higher power.
Personal Names: All cultures assign names to individuals.
Humor/Joking: The use of humor is present in every culture.
Cultural Particulars are the specific, unique ways that a cultural universal is expressed or realized within a particular culture. They represent the diversity and distinct practices across different groups.
Examples of Particulars:
Family Structure (Particular to Universal): The universal need for a family unit is expressed as multigenerational households in one culture (particular) versus nuclear, independent households in another (particular).
Death Rituals (Particular to Universal): The universal presence of death rituals is expressed as cremation in one culture (particular) versus burial with a specific wake ceremony in another (particular).
Cuisine (Particular to Universal): The universal practice of eating is expressed through specific staples (e.g., rice, corn, wheat), spices, and etiquette (e.g., eating with hands versus cutlery).