culture bias

• Cultural bias


  If the "norm" for a particular behaviour is judged from the perspective of a certain culture, then any cultural differences in behaviour that deviate from this will be seen as "abnormal" or "inferior"
• Ethnocentrism


  A form of cultural bias, the belief in the superiority of one's own cultural group
• Ethnocentrism is sometimes seen when any behaviour that does not conform to the western way is somehow underdeveloped or unsophisticated
• Ethnocentrism


  Can often lead to prejudice and discrimination towards other cultures
• Ethnocentrism example


  • Mary Ainsworth's strange situation (Attachment unit) has been criticised for reflecting only the norms and values of American culture
• Ideal attachment


  Characterised by a moderate amount of distress when left alone by their mum
• German mothers being criticised as being cold and rejecting

  Rather than encouraging a sense of independence
• This study demonstrates ethnocentrism as it was revealed to be an inappropriate attachment type for non-US mothers
• Cultural relativism

  Opposing ethnocentrism, the acceptance that any behaviour must be viewed against the background, values, and beliefs of the culture the person is from
• Cultural relativism recognises that no culture is superior to another, only different
• Cultural relativism acknowledges that although we are all human with common evolutionary ancestry there are probably very few universal behaviours
• Reason for few universal behaviours

  • We have adapted to very different climates and environments and developed varied beliefs, religions, customs, norms etc. by which to live our lives
• Cultural relativism example

  • In western societies hearing voices or visual hallucinations is abnormal and would be labelled as symptoms of schizophrenia
  • In other societies hearing voices is seen as a great gift to be welcomed and embraced and seeing visions is applauded, not labelled an abnormal behaviour
• This definition demonstrates cultural relativism as it appreciates that an individual should be diagnosed with an appreciation from the culture someone is from