Some definitions of culture

Learning Resources

Required Readings

Arnett, J. (2009). The neglected 95%, a challenge to psychology’s philosophy of science. American Psychologist, 64(6), 571–574.

Abi-Hashem, N. (2015). Revisiting cultural awareness and cultural relevancy. The American Psychologist, 70(7), 660–661

Hwang, K. K. (2013). Linking science to culture: Challenge to psychologists. Social Epistemology, 27(1), 105–122. DOI: 10.1080/02691728.2012.760665    

Benjamin, L., & Baker, D. (2012). The internationalization of psychology: A history. In D. Baker (Ed.), The Oxford handbook of the history of psychology: Global perspectives (pp. 1–30). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Credit Line: The Internationalization of Psychology: A History by Benjamin, L. and Baker, D. Copyright 2012. Oxford University Press. Reprinted by permission of Oxford University Press via the Copyright Clearance Center. 

Ratner, C. (2008). Cultural psychology, cross-cultural psychology, indigenous psychology [electronic resource]. New York, NY: Nova Science Publishers, Inc.

Chapter 1: “Cultural Psychology” (pp. 1–11)

Guest, K. (2014). Culture. In K. Guest (Ed.), Cultural anthropology: A Toolkit for a Global Age (2nd ed., pp. 35–46). New York, NY: W.W. Norton.
Chapter 2: “Culture (Section on What is culture?)”Credit Line: Cultural Anthropology: A Toolkit for a Global Age, 2nd Edition by Guest, K.  Copyright 2014 by W. W. Norton & Company. Reprinted by permission of W. W. Norton & Company via the Copyright Clearance Center. 

Henrich, J., Heine, S. J., & Norenzayan, A. (2010). The weirdest people in the world? Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 33, 61–83. doi:10.1017/S0140525X0999152X2055073310.1017/S0140525X0999152X2010-14802-001.

Van de Vijver, F. J. R. (2013). Contributions of internationalization to psychology: Toward a global and inclusive discipline. American Psychologist, 68(8), 761–770.

Discussion: Definitions of Culture

A veritable plethora of scholarship has been devoted to attempting to define culture.  The concept is complex, yet most individuals have some idea about what the term means and includes. The idea of culture is so central to so much that makes us human, that it is well worth our time to explore and unpack its meaning in some depth. We may find that our ideas about culture share much in common with others’ ideas about culture, but we may also find some nuances or emphases in some definitions that are less apparent in other definitions.

For this Discussion, you will closely examine various definitions of culture and the importance it may have to the psychology community.

To prepare for this Discussion:

Review the Learning Resources for this week and consider various definitions of culture.

Based on your review of the Learning Resources, post your responses to the following questions.

• What are some definitions of culture that researchers have utilized?
• What is a definition of culture that resonates with you and why?
• Why should psychologists be interested in understanding culture?