Introductory description

In a fast-changing world, “Psychology Across Cultures” explores how and why people’s basic psychological processes, values and behaviour differ across cultures and what this implies for psychological theory and application.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

1. Introduction to the module; understanding culture
2. The role of values and beliefs in cultural variation
3. Culture and the self
4. Culture and emotion
5. Personality across cultures
6. Culture and health
7. Culture in the workplace
8. Relationship variations across cultures 1: Forming relationships
9. Relationship variations across cultures 2: Family and children
10. Moving cultures
11. Revision lecture 1
12. Revision lecture 2

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• demonstrate a critical knowledge of how major psychological findings vary across cultures;
• demonstrate a critical understanding of the major concepts and theoretical perspectives in cross-cultural psychology;
• evaluate the relative contributions of values, beliefs and ecology to the understanding of cultural variations in psychology;
• demonstrate a critical awareness of the key methods used in cross-cultural psychology
• understand and critically evaluate their own cultural values, norms and assumptions.

Indicative reading list

Smith, P., Fischer, R., Vignoles, V., & Bond, M.H. (2013). Understanding Social Psychology Across Cultures: Engaging with Others in a Changing World. 2nd edition. London: Sage

Berry, J. W., Poortinga, Y. H., Breugelmans, S. M., Chasiotis, A., & Sam, D. L. (2011). Cross-cultural psychology: Research and applications. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Subject specific skills

• critical understanding of the major concepts and theoretical perspectives in cross-cultural psychology
• knowledge of major psychological findings and variance of these across cultures
• critical evaluation of personal cultural values, norms and assumptions.

Transferable skills

• effective communication skills to develop a cogent argument supported by relevant evidence and being sensitive to the needs and expectations of an audience;
• familiarity with collecting and organising stored information found in library book and journal collections, and online, critically evaluating primary and secondary sources;
• effective personal planning skills