cultural psychology
Quick Summary
Cultural psychology, also known as ethnopsychology, is a subdiscipline of cultural anthropology that posits culture shapes an individual's psychological makeup. This contrasts with the idea of a universal human nature. Ruth Benedict's studies in the 1930s suggested that different cultures, even in similar environments, foster unique ways of thinking and reasoning. This "psychological set" influences how individuals perceive and process information, indicating that culture fundamentally affects cognitive processes. Research in this field has explored areas like child-rearing practices, value systems, and personality types valued within different cultures.1
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