Cross-Cultural Psychology

Catalog description

Cross-cultural psychology is an approach emphasizing evaluation of psychological knowledge in the context of culture. Do the discoveries psychologists have made apply to all people from all cultures or only to some people, depending on culture? This course explores the impact of society and culture on human behavior, identity and personality development, social interaction norms, and even perceptual tendencies. We will examine what it means to say that humans are socio-cultural in nature. We will also examine those areas where humans differ, due to varied cultural experiences. Areas of interest will include education and development, views on intelligence, perceptual and cognitive processes, motivation, sex and gender and aggression. The examination of these issues will aid students in developing the ability to understand and interact with individuals and groups in other countries and in our own heterogeneous nation. Fulfills Core requirement(s): Diversity (DIV); and Interdisciplinary studies (IDS) *OR* Cultural Elective (CE). Course cannot fulfill all 3 requirements.