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PS367-15 Psychology Across Cultures

Department
Psychology
Level
Undergraduate Level 3
Module leader
Robin Goodwin
Credit value
15
Assessment
33% coursework, 67% exam
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry
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

The module highlights the importance of a cross-cultural perspective for understanding and explaining different contemporary issues such as migration, ethnic conflicts, globalisation and cultural change. In academic terms, the module aims to develop the students’ understanding of the fundamental concepts and theoretical perspectives pertinent to the study of culture and human behaviour

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

Study time

Type Required
Lectures 12 sessions of 2 hours (71%)
Seminars 10 sessions of 1 hour (29%)
Total 34 hours
Private study description

116 hours guided student study & assessment preparation

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group D1
Weighting Study time
Report 33%

Written report (1,500 words) based on an interview with a member of another culture.

Online Examination 67%
  • Online examination: No Answerbook required
Feedback on assessment

Detailed academic guidance form for assessed work; Academic and peer feedback forms for interview; exam results online.¿¿¿¿¿

Past exam papers for PS367

Courses

This module is Optional for:

  • Year 1 of TPSS-C8P9 Postgraduate Taught Psychological Research
  • Year 3 of UPSA-C804 Undergraduate Psychology with Education Studies

This module is Option list B for:

  • Year 4 of UPHA-VL79 BA in Philosophy with Psychology (with Intercalated year)