An Overview of Culture and

Psychology
J. R. Baloloy, Ph.D., RPsy.
Divine Word College of Legazpi

What is
Psychology?
 Psychology

Cultural Cross-Cultural
Psychology Psychology
A sub-discipline within psychology that
A research methodology that tests
examines the cultural foundations of
the cultural parameters of
psychological processes and human
psychological knowledge.
behavior. It includes theoretical and
Traditionally, it involves research on
methodological frameworks that posit an
human behavior that compares
important role for culture and its in uence
psychological processes between
on mental processes behavior, and vice
two or more cultures.
versa.

Contributions of Cultural Psychology

• Universal - A psychological
process that is found to be
true or applicable for all
people of all cultures.

• Culture-Speci c - A
psychological process that is
considered to be true for
some people of some
cultures but not for others.
•
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 What is culture?

Factors that influence

the creation of culture

Contents of the Universal Psychological Toolkit

What is Culture?
A unique meaning and information system, shared by a group and
transmitted across generations, that allows the group to meet basic
needs of survival, pursue happiness and wellbeing, and derive meaning
from life.

Is culture a purely human product?

 Complexity

Differentiation

Institutionalization

Points for Clarification

• Culture versus Society
• Culture versus Not Culture

Subjective
Elements
of Culture
How Culture Influences Human Behavior and Mental Processes

Enculturation

Approaches to Culture
Etics and Emics / Universal and Culture Speci c

•Etics
•Aspects of life that appear to be consistent across di erent cultures; universal
or pancultural truths or principles.

•Emics
•Aspects of life that appear to di er across cultures; truths or principles that
are culture-speci c.
•

Culture?
• Sometimes culture is like a multiplier, enhancing certain behaviors.
• Sometimes culture is like a creator, producing new behaviors not seen
elsewhere.

• Sometimes culture is an enabler, facilitating and encouraging behaviors, and

sometimes culture is a suppresser, discouraging behaviors.
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That’s it for today!
Overview of Culture and Psychology