What is culture?
The socially transmitted behavior patterns, beliefs, and products of work of a particular population, community, or group of people
What kinds of cultures should psychologists consider beyond “main culture”?
Subcultures and countercultures.
What key questions must psychologists ask about cultural universality?
Are psychological concepts universal?
Do they mean the same across cultures?
Do they apply to all cultures?
Are they valued the same?
Do we need to modify our understanding or testing methods?
What was Henry Goddard’s controversial contribution?
- He found that the majority of immigrant populations were “feebleminded.”
- Goddard’s findings were largely the result of using a translated Binet Test that overestimated mental deficiency in native English-speaking populations, let alone immigrant populations.
What are culture-specific tests?
Tests designed for one cultural group; early IQ tests were made for “non-colored” populations.
How do modern test developers reduce cultural bias?
Use diverse/neutral content
Apply statistical methods to detect and reduce bias
Why can translation be problematic in assessments?
Nuances and meanings may be lost.
What kind of translator should be used if possible?
Licensed translators.
What are best practices for translators in testing?
Translate meaning as accurately as possible (verbatim)
Repeat client responses exactly
Avoid adding, deleting, or paraphrasing
Make deviations explicit
Know idioms and cultural connotations
How can translators act beyond language interpreters?
As cultural interpreters who understand norms, idioms, and context.
Why must psychologists be cautious about nonverbal behavior?
Gestures, emotional displays, and norms (like eye contact, tone, or pauses) vary across cultures.
How can cultural norms affect perceptions of authority?
Some cultures expect deference to professionals; others expect collaboration—role expectations differ.
What is the standard for translating written tests?
Translate each item→ back-translate into original language→ re-validate in the new language.
Why are judgments about psychological traits culturally relative?
Because norms, gender roles, and values differ among cultures.
What cultural factors influence evaluation?
-Gender role expectations
-Definitions of psychopathology (e.g., hearing voices)
-Collectivist vs. individualist values
-Family and relationship importance
What are examples of traits that may be interpreted differently in collectivist vs. individualist cultures?
Independence, assertiveness, self-efficacy, self-esteem, achievement orientation.
What factors beyond ethnicity shape culture/identity?
Family, religion, gender/sexual orientation, subcultures, race, indigeneity, immigration status, and acculturation.
What is acculturation?
The process of adopting some norms of a new culture after immigrating.
Does Canada have a “Tarasoff” duty to warn law?
No — warning is discretionary in Canada.
What does the BC Human Rights Code allow regarding “special programs”?
Programs that address disadvantages by treating groups differently — legally allowed if they promote equity (e.g., preferential hiring for underrepresented groups).
What must test takers be informed about?
Purpose of evaluation
How data will be used
What’s involved
Risks/benefits
What info will be shared, with whom, and in what form
What does informed consent require?
It must be free, prior, and fully informed, and in language the test taker understands.
Who provides consent if a person lacks capacity?
A substitute decision maker
When may consent be foregone?
In emergencies
