The importance of cross-cultural psychology

The culture of a particular community of people differs from the other to a great extent. The tendency among the individuals of a specific group is to transmit their customs, rituals, values and even behaviours to the next generation. Experiencing happiness is quite common among different cultures worldwide. However, the way to attain peace and happiness is noticeably different. One of the interesting branches of psychology is cross-cultural psychology. It focuses on the varying factors impacting and influencing the personality and behaviour of individuals who practice a certain culture. Human thoughts and behaviours across the world have some similarities. Still, cultural differences have a strong influence on how a person thinks, feels and conducts.

Reading further will allow you to explore the growing importance of embracing psychology pertinent to cross-cultural.

Main Approaches Cross-Cultural Psychologists Focus

A couple of crucial types of psychology related to cultural differences fascinate cross-cultural psychologists. Here are the two popular approaches.

• Etic Approach: Understanding the culture of a particular community or area from an outsider’s perspective is an etic approach. Psychologists have realized that this approach compels one to use the same measurement parameters as well as concepts for different cultures.
• Emic Approach: Gaining an in-depth understanding of the humans that follow a particular culture is possible only through an insider perspective. The emic approach allows the best psychologist to evaluate concepts within a certain context of a specific culture.

Many cross-cultural psychologists employ a combination of the etic-emic approach. Some psychologists even compare and analyze other cultures with their own cultures, which they regard as the standard. This point of view is ethnocentric, which is common among people worldwide. However, ethnocentrism often increases the tendency to view cultural differences as unusual.

Crucial Areas that Cross-Cultural Psychologists Study

Cultural differences exist, which is why people from different cultures have different ways of viewing the world. Various aspects, including human mental development, feelings, thoughts, behaviours and attitudes, sustain impact owing to a culture. Here are the main areas that cross-cultural psychologists mainly study.

Acquisition of Language: This is a major area exploring whether the evolution of language has followed a similar track throughout various cultures. Understanding the language acquisition of a particular culture or similar cultures is what most cross-cultural psychologists do.

Experience Emotions: Psychologists with extensive experience conduct sessions on mental health online these days, besides offline. They do so to understand and provide feasible solutions to the psychological and emotional issues a person experiences. Most cross-cultural psychologists believe that humans feel and express emotions nearly in the same manner despite cultural differences.

Personality Development: The main motive behind studying this area is to understand whether the development of personality and its various aspects vary from one culture to another. Psychologists have observed that different cultures influence human personality to a good extent.

Development of Child: One of the critical areas is studying cultural influences on child development. The course of the development of a child is dependent immensely on various cultural practices and methods. Achievements, self-confidence and well-being of a child from a particular culture often vary from the other.

Social Behaviour and Interpersonal Relation: Cultural practices directly influence how people belonging to a certain culture will behave socially. Cultures and societies have a substantial impact on the relationships among the members of a family.

Benefits of Attending Sessions that Cross-Cultural Psychologists Conduct

Learn More Different Cultures

People get the chance to acquire more valuable information about different cultures worldwide when they attend cross-cultural psychology sessions. Most people with a different perspective regarding a particular culture and individuals who follow that culture experience a change in their thought process.

Helps Boost Self-Confidence

Cross-cultural psychologists play an instrumental role in helping individuals from various cultures strengthen their weak areas and improve their self-confidence. They feel more empowered when they acquire a profound knowledge of different cultures. Overcoming hurdles in the workplace becomes a lot easier for them.

Trust Building

One can attend the mental health online or offline sessions psychologists conduct to learn to respect people from different cultures and keep faith in them. Mutual understanding among employees in the workplace leads to improved trust.

Improve Listening and Communication Skills

You will reap a host of benefits if you appear for a session that cross-cultural psychologists conduct. You will notice a significant development in your listening and interpersonal skills once you realise the importance of giving priority to individuals who follow different cultures. Productive and effective communication is only possible when two people listen to one another before responding.

You can get in touch with one of the experienced mental therapists and counsellors at Mental Wellness Centre. This clinic in Gurgaon is renowned for Dr Pankaja, the best psychologist with expertise in conducting cross-cultural psychology sessions.

About Author

The author of this article is an accomplished counsellor, psychologist and psychotherapist with extensive experience conducting cross-cultural-specific psychology sessions. Many employers and working professionals obtain comprehensive support to gain an in-depth understanding of different cultures all over the world and their influence on human behaviours.