Psychology 288 Study Questions

Here you will be introduced to central questions in the field of cultural psychology. As a class we will discuss these questions in groups where students will form answers and content for inpreparation of the two reports.

In answering the questions try to be as elaborate as possible, but don't wander from the question as asked.

With the key Concepts you will be expected to provide a clear definition as well as a statement of its importance to the study of culture and psychology.

1) Provide a brief overview of the history of the psychology of culture and it's relation to other disciplines. Who are the most important scholars that shaped it's history?

Key Concepts: Enculturation, Theory of forms, Democratic Relativism, Efficient Causes, Hermeneutical Circle, Sapir -Whorf Hypothesis.

2) Provide a definition of culture based upon the material in the readings  and lectures notes and describe the challenges of doing so.  In other words once you provide a statement on culture discuss its limitations and how might it constrain what culture actually is (i.e. leave out other important elements of culture)?

3) What is the emic-etic dispute and how does it relate to the study of culture and psychology?  Give an example of  each as they pertain to the material covered in this course.

Key Concepts: Emic, Etic, Absolutist, Universalist, Relativist.

4) Discuss the principle methods used in either cross-cultural psychology or cultural psychology.
What are the main assumptions, goals and definitions of culture that go with this perspective?

Key Concepts: Ethnology, Ethnography, Hypothesis Testing, Verstehen, dialectical , Volkgeist.

5) Outline the importent principles and interests in Indigenous reserach methods. Be sure to to give an example of where and how they may be appied as well as their impact on other methods and practices.

Key Concepts: transformation, reclaimation, four corners, four ocean tides, self-dtermination, interconnectedness.

6)  Compare two of the models of self outlined in the lecture that can be applied to Heelas & Locke's framework of indigenous psychologies of the self.  In doing so describe which model best fits your own understanding of self, and why that is the case?

Key Concepts: Indigenous Psychologies, Passiones systems, Modified Passiones, Idealist orientations, Jiva.

7)  Compare and contrast the models of self presented in class for Japan and China. Discuss the similarities and differences that you find between them. 

Key Concepts: PsychoSocial Homeostasis, Jen, Iemoto, Amae, Jibun, Kejime.

8)  Discuss the model of individualism and collectivism as presented in class and in the readings.  Compare this model with on e or two other models of self presented in the course and provide your own critical appraisal of the merits and demerits of this model. 

Key Concepts: Trilogy of the Mind, Self (James), Interdependent self, Who Am I?

9)  Discuss the role of mythology in the development and maintenance of the self.  In other words, discuss the role that mythology can play in human development. Be sure to also discuss universality and cultural specificity of mythology as it pertains to psychology and culture. Give examples to support your views.

Key Concepts: Four Functions, The collective unconscious, Archetypes, Anima & Animus , The mandala, Hero with 1,000 faces.

10) What is acculturation and how has it been conceptualized by John Berry and colleagues?   Discuss research on acculturation taking note of the cross-cultural and / or cultural perspective involved. 

11) What is acculturative stress and what are the characteristics associated with greater or lesser level of it? Describe some research that indicates the role it plays in migrant experience as well as some of the issues surrounding its conceptualization and measurement.

12) Describe the nature of health psychology and how it addresses issues of global or international concern. Give examples from one or more "global issues" that illustrate your points.

13) What are the central issues in cultural perspectives on health. Gives examples from one or more "cultural perspective" in terms of the issues and perspectives that play a role in health psychology.

14) What are the central issues pertaining to understanding mental disorders across cultures? Outline the main concerns for psychologists working in this field and use examples of disorders that illustrate these points.

15) What are the central issues and concerns when considering counselling or psychotherapy in a cultural context? Outline the barriers, themes and strategies for carrying out appropriate counselling in a multicultural setting.

16) What is the nature of prejudice and how might one overcome it as a social problem? Discuss one or two of the main theories of prejudice and at least one approach to overcoming it.

17) In considering the entire course and what you have learned about culture and psychology provide an overview of the culture around you and its impact on you psychologically.  As such describe the most important features of the cultural world around you and specific aspects of it as it has helped to shape you into the person or self that you are.