PSY321H5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Synaptic Pruning, Reference Group, Interpersonal Relationship
Document Summary
Chapter 4: methods of studying culture and psychology. The nacirema: the daily body ritual performed by everyone includes a mouth-rite this rite involves a practice which strikes the uninitiated stranger as revolting. It was reported to me that the ritual consists of inserting a small bundle of hog hairs into the mouth, along with certain magical powders, and then moving the bundle in a highly formalized series of gestures. Every household has one or more shrines devoted to this purpose. Primary challenge: researchers must understand cultural norms and practices of the cultures being studied, especially in relation to the psychological phenomenon in question. How do we come to understand other cultures: ethnography, collaborating with individuals from the culture of interest. Becoming immersed in the culture to learn about its elements. Ethnography: was the first form used to study other cultures. Mead vs. freeman: mead was a famous anthropologist at the time.
