Full Answer Section

• individualism vs. collectivism profoundly impact social behavior, self-perception, and even mental health symptom presentation, yet much research initially ignored these cultural nuances.
• Lack of Diverse Samples: Historically, the vast majority of psychological studies have been conducted on samples from WEIRD societies. This overreliance on a narrow demographic means that findings may not generalize to people from other cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds, or minority groups. Conclusions drawn from such limited samples can be implicitly biased towards Western norms, misrepresenting the psychological realities of the global population.
• Cultural Bias in Construct Definition and Measurement: Psychological constructs themselves (e.g., intelligence, personality, mental illness) are often defined and measured based on Western cultural frameworks.
  • Intelligence Testing as an Example:
    • Historical Bias: Early intelligence tests (e.g., IQ tests) were largely developed by and for Western, educated populations. Items often contained content, vocabulary, or reasoning styles that were more familiar to individuals from specific cultural backgrounds. For instance, questions might assume knowledge of Western holidays, historical figures, or problem-solving approaches that are not universal.
    • Linguistic Bias: Tests administered in a second language, or even in a dialect different from the test-taker’s primary one, can disadvantage individuals. Even translation can lose nuance or introduce unintended meanings.
    • Cultural Context of “Intelligence”: What constitutes “intelligence” varies across cultures. In some cultures, social intelligence, practical wisdom, or a deep connection to nature might be highly valued forms of intelligence, which are rarely captured by traditional IQ tests. These tests often prioritize abstract, analytical, and speed-based problem-solving, which are skills cultivated in Western schooling systems.
    • Stereotype Threat: Research has shown that individuals from stereotyped groups, when aware of negative stereotypes about their group’s performance on a task (like intelligence tests), can experience anxiety that impairs their performance, regardless of their actual ability. This implicit bias in the testing environment itself can skew results.