Your article concerning cultural & other biases in psychological research should have also raised the issue of the role of task (e.g., RT vs. paper & pencil questionnaire, vs. naturalistic behavior in real physical or social environments), which may contribute even more to outcome variance than sample characteristics. Unless those factors and the interactions between task type and sample characteristics – quite a meaty issue – are addressed, the impacts of sample bias are unlikely to be illuminated, as are task-related effects.
Let us face a reality, what we call Western is really the Modern world. Western civilization or modern civilization has drawn on all cultures and societies through thousands of years.
Yes, some cultures are less modern or less developed but they reflect no more than our common human origin. It would be wise not to see the word, Western, used in a derogatory sense when the word Western simply means Modern, the most developed world, for good and ill.
Otherwise, why on earth are we spending billions every year trying to help Third World, less developed cultures, join the Modern world, the Western world?
It is important to discuss this topic. Bringing awareness so that psychologists will begin to work on research outside of the western norms to truly reach universalized standards for data. However, there are limited (none) grants, funding available to conduct inclusive research. The reason that white, English-speaking subjects are dominant is mainly due to the fact the white-English speakers have resources (technology, money.etc), access and availability per se have the luxury to participate in research that grants them power. After all most research works towards advancing the western world through questioning their way of life, needs wants in which we need to recognize that white-English speaker is minority yet they represent the majority of the world population even in psychological research. Hopefully, this will begin to change as psychologists conduct diverse research it will further advance the knowledge, data, and information we have about humankind and nature.
Beyond the fact that white is a racist term, the reality is that in places like India and Africa, there are people who are not pale-skinned who have great privilege and access to luxury. The reason why so many are poor in the Third World, is because of Government corruption and incompetence.
Yes, cultures differ and that has nothing to do with the colour of skin. Third World cultures represent where Western cultures have been and developed from. On that count it is interesting.
No, First World cultures are not necessarily superior but the way of life is which is why Third World cultures strive to equal it. And in that First World environment the culture changes. It has ever been thus.
When the often dark-skinned Romans occupied and colonised Britain and its pale-skinned people, it was the Britons who were pulled into a more developed world. All is part of the process of human evolution.
The paradox of the modern world rushing forward when time needs to be taken to look back. The Britons considered the more advanced Romans to be insidious and yet it dragged them further along the path of evolution.
Your article concerning cultural & other biases in psychological research should have also raised the issue of the role of task (e.g., RT vs. paper & pencil questionnaire, vs. naturalistic behavior in real physical or social environments), which may contribute even more to outcome variance than sample characteristics. Unless those factors and the interactions between task type and sample characteristics – quite a meaty issue – are addressed, the impacts of sample bias are unlikely to be illuminated, as are task-related effects.
Let us face a reality, what we call Western is really the Modern world. Western civilization or modern civilization has drawn on all cultures and societies through thousands of years.
Yes, some cultures are less modern or less developed but they reflect no more than our common human origin. It would be wise not to see the word, Western, used in a derogatory sense when the word Western simply means Modern, the most developed world, for good and ill.
Otherwise, why on earth are we spending billions every year trying to help Third World, less developed cultures, join the Modern world, the Western world?
It is important to discuss this topic. Bringing awareness so that psychologists will begin to work on research outside of the western norms to truly reach universalized standards for data. However, there are limited (none) grants, funding available to conduct inclusive research. The reason that white, English-speaking subjects are dominant is mainly due to the fact the white-English speakers have resources (technology, money.etc), access and availability per se have the luxury to participate in research that grants them power. After all most research works towards advancing the western world through questioning their way of life, needs wants in which we need to recognize that white-English speaker is minority yet they represent the majority of the world population even in psychological research. Hopefully, this will begin to change as psychologists conduct diverse research it will further advance the knowledge, data, and information we have about humankind and nature.
Beyond the fact that white is a racist term, the reality is that in places like India and Africa, there are people who are not pale-skinned who have great privilege and access to luxury. The reason why so many are poor in the Third World, is because of Government corruption and incompetence.
Yes, cultures differ and that has nothing to do with the colour of skin. Third World cultures represent where Western cultures have been and developed from. On that count it is interesting.
No, First World cultures are not necessarily superior but the way of life is which is why Third World cultures strive to equal it. And in that First World environment the culture changes. It has ever been thus.
When the often dark-skinned Romans occupied and colonised Britain and its pale-skinned people, it was the Britons who were pulled into a more developed world. All is part of the process of human evolution.
Great article. The paradox of Western culture: On one hand enlightening. On the other hand an insidious cancer eating everything on earth.
The paradox of the modern world rushing forward when time needs to be taken to look back. The Britons considered the more advanced Romans to be insidious and yet it dragged them further along the path of evolution.