Objective 4.3
Using one or more examples, explain
“emic” and “etic” concepts
Key Points/Critical
Content
 1)Define
and give examples of emic
and etic concepts.
 2)Using
an example, explain the
mistake researchers often do when
carrying out cross cultural research.
Understanding the two perspectives of
cultural research
As previously stated, the sociocultural level
of analysis of psychology focuses on the
study of the culture and relations of
people.
 We have previously define culture as a
shared, learned, symbolic system of
values, beliefs and attitudes that shapes
and influences perception and behavior.
How can we study culture? What the ways in
which we can understand a group?

Understanding the two
perspectives of cultural research
 The
concepts “emic”
and “etic,” which
were derived from an
analogy with the terms
“phonemic” and
“phonetic,” were
coined by the linguistic
anthropologist Kenneth
Pike (1954).
Understanding the two perspectives of
cultural research
 He
suggests that there are two perspectives
that can be employed in the study of a
society’s cultural system, just as there are
two perspectives that can be used in the
study of a language’s sound system.
 In both cases, it is possible to take the point
of view of either the insider or the outsider.
Understanding the two
perspectives of cultural research
Etic - relates to extrinsic properties of a
society that are important for scientific
observation. This is often viewed as the
objective view of culture.
Examples of etics are marriage, concepts of
intelligence, time, the education of children,
and stress and mental disorders. These are
general concepts of culture independent of
cultural interpretation.
Understanding the two perspectives
of cultural research
 Etic
constructs are accounts, descriptions,
and analyses expressed in terms of the
conceptual schemes and categories that
are regarded as meaningful and
appropriate by the community of scientific
observers.
Understanding the two perspectives
of cultural research
 An
etic construct is correctly termed “etic”
if and only if it is in accord with the principles
deemed appropriate by science (i.e., etic
constructs must be precise, logical,
comprehensive, replicable, and observer
independent).
Understanding the two perspectives of
cultural research
 Etic
approaches aim to discover what all
humans have in common. It addresses the
universals (or etic) of human behavior.
 Etic approaches have been used
extensively in cross-cultural studies. In such
studies theories developed in one particular
culture (usually Western) are tested crossculturally.
Discussion Question
When would it be beneficial to study culture
objectively?
Understanding the two perspectives of
cultural research
 Etic
concepts are used to study cultures
cross-culturally in order to distinguish
between interpretations of concepts.
 Kashima and Triandis (1986) used an etic
research concept to look at differences
between American and Japanese
interpretations of success.
Understanding the two perspectives of
cultural research
 The
American participants tended to
explain their own success by dispositional
attributions whereas the Japanese
participants made situational attributions.
 American participants demonstrated the
self-serving bias and Japanese participants
demonstrated the self-effacing bias.
Understanding the two perspectives
of cultural research
-
Emic - relates to the subjective values of the
society that are important to its members.
The native members of a culture are the sole
judges of the validity of an emic description.
-
Examples of emics are specific definitions of
marriage and intelligence, what is valued in
educating children, and how stress is
experienced and the symptoms of mental
disorders.
Understanding the two
perspectives of cultural research
-
-
Emic constructs are accounts, descriptions,
and analyses expressed in terms of the
conceptual schemes and categories that
are regarded as meaningful and
appropriate by the members of the culture
under study.
An emic construct is correctly termed
“emic” if and only if it is in accord with the
perceptions and understandings deemed
appropriate by the insider.
Discussion Question
When would it be beneficial to study culture
objectively?
Understanding the two perspectives of
cultural research
Emic approaches are not interested in
cross-cultural comparisons but rather
in culture specific phenomena.
A culture’s uniqueness is explored by
such studies through the discovery of
its distinctive behaviors (or emics).
Understanding the two perspectives of
cultural research
 Emic
studies do not import theoretical
frameworks from another culture. It is
assumed that the meaning of behavior can
only be defined from within the culture
studied.
Differences between the two
concepts
 The
etic approach highlights the similarities
cultures may have, as well as bringing an
outsider’s perspective and considers the
patterns in behaviors to be universal.
 The emic approach is quite the opposite
from the etic approach by emphasizing the
differences between cultures, seeking the
natives’ perspective of their behaviors, and
considering the patterns in behaviors to be
unique to the culture being studied.
Reflection
Take a few minutes to review your notes on
these two concepts.