Question

There are as many human development theories as there are people in existence. Cross-cultural psychology focuses on the psychological aspects of other cultures. (Matsumoto, 2001) Some theories explain the cultural impact on human development, while others are broader and focus on the individual. Some human development theories view culture as an antecedent or consequence of individual behavior, as well as enabling or restricting this behavior. For example, the theories of Bronfenbrenner and Vygotsky focus on the cultural influences of behavior, learning, and social development. Other human development theories, such as Piaget and Kohlberg’s, focus primarily on the internal cognitive processes. Consider the similarities and differences of these theoretical perspectives (Gardiner and Kosmitzki, 2010).

For this Discussion, review the definition of culture you developed in your first Discussion as well as those defined throughout this week’s Learning Resources. Consider how cultural and human development theories explain the influence of culture on an individual’s behavior and reflect on how these theories may be used in cross-cultural psychology. Select two contrasting theoretical approaches to cross-cultural psychology and consider the similarities and differences between these concepts. Support your responses using the Learning Resources and the current literature.

Discussion:

an identification of the two theoretical approaches to cross-cultural psychology you selected. Then, compare two similarities and two differences of those approaches. Finally, provide an example of how one of these theoretical approaches might explain the influences of culture on human behavior in one of the cultures you discussed in this week’s first Discussion. Support your responses using the Learning Resources and the current literature.

Answer 1

Culture is the manifestation of informal norms and values in a given society, which are followed and/or referred to by the people of a particular society, and is taught to the children of that society.

Culture has its way of life and is perceived in a different manner by other cultures. Culture impacts the way an individual perceives their own surrounding environment and the individuals around them, it helps build a framework for the people to look at the world through.

If we are to look at Urie Bronfrenbrenners theory of ecological system of human development, we will notice that he spoke about the spheres of a child's physical and culture environment and his/her initiation into those environments outside of their home that lead to their development. He talks about the last sphere of initiation being the political and social thought that the government propagates. All of these aspects of cultural interaction with a child impact the way a child thinks and perceives.

Another theory that jung proposed on archetypes and cultural contexts, which serve as a lens for people to analyze their surroundings. For instance, the archetypes which are followed in the Indian mythological context and the archetypes which are followed by the Christian mythology context are what makes these two sects vastly different and varibale in their behavior.