Culture and Perception | Psychology for UPSC Optional (Notes) PDF Download

Introduction

The cultivation of cultural perspective plays a crucial role in the development of agile and intelligent social skills that bring value to people's lives. Psychology relies on the ability to form strong relationships both externally and internally. Culture helps determine various characteristics such as spoken language at home, customs, religious observance, dietary practices, and other behavioral aspects. Many cultural features and health conditions are associated with social status, income, education, and occupation. This article explores the influence of culture on perception, particularly in relation to illness, the connection between cultural changes and identity, the significance of cultural psychology, and the impact of culture on cognition and perception.

Culture's Influence on Perception of Illness

Illness can be viewed as a cultural disorder that reflects the political, moral, and social world of patients. It often demonstrates how profound cultural messages can be transmitted through the human body. Psychologists examine the symbolic nature of symptoms within a specific cultural context to understand the cultural message from a psychological perspective. Culture significantly influences the transmission and understanding of diseases. Factors such as migratory labor and limited education can lead to separation of men from their families and wives, impacting public health. It is crucial for public health specialists to be aware of cultural trends in psychology and strive to harness the positive aspects of culture to promote well-being.

Changes in the Cultural Environment and Perception

How do changes in the cultural environment affect our perception and mental processes, which are significant components of our understanding of the world? Wexler argues that since humans create their environment, it is possible to say that the human brain adapts to the environment humans have created. Our brains are shaped by the outside world and, in turn, influence how we perceive it. This dynamic interaction between culture and perception plays a fundamental role in shaping our individual and collective experiences.

Cultural Perspective and its Impact on Perception

Cultural values have a profound impact on the associations between groups and individuals. In terms of psychology, individuals often experience conflicts when trying to conform to role expectations while maintaining personal wisdom and maturity. Culture influences emotions and categorizes them into two types: "ego-focused emotions" and "other-focused emotions." Ego-focused emotions, such as pride, frustration, and anger, primarily refer to an individual's internal attributes. On the other hand, other-focused emotions, such as shame, interpersonal communion, and sympathy, are primarily concerned with emotions directed towards others. The perception of others' emotions varies across cultures, as demonstrated by psychological experiments that examine facial expressions among individuals expressing different or similar emotions.

Importance of Cultural Psychology

Cultural psychology holds significance not only in studying individuals from wealthy countries but also in understanding individuals from diverse cultures with varying influences on their psyches. The "fundamental attribution error" highlights the tendency to overemphasize internal behavior while underemphasizing external behavior. Cultural psychology focuses on understanding how culture affects individuals more than their individual beliefs, challenging the previous assumption of universal individual traits. It aims to identify the actions and interactions of individuals within a specific community, shedding light on the intricate relationship between culture and psychology.

Challenges and Effects of Culture on Cognition and Perception

Cultural psychology faces challenges in explaining culture itself and studying societies and people with whom psychologists have limited experience. Conducting research in this field is time-consuming and requires spending significant amounts of time immersed in a particular culture. However, the efforts are crucial to gaining knowledge about cultural influences on individuals and societies. Culture is associated with shared elements that provide standards for evaluating, perceiving, communicating, acting, and believing among individuals within a geographical location and historical period. It shapes people's basic sensory perceptions, influences their cognition and perception, and contributes to the formation of their life philosophies and views.

Conclusion

Culture permeates every aspect of human behavior and the brain, leading individuals from different cultures to process the world differently. Subcultures within broader cultures further shape perception and cognition. Communities, religions, and customs all contribute to the influences on perception and the complex nature of human culture. Understanding the profound influence of culture on perception is crucial for fostering cross-cultural understanding and promoting psychological well-being in a diverse world.