Cross-Cultural Psychology - PSYC 384
Longwood University - Spring 2010
Chris Bjornsen, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology
Ruffner 305, 395-2736, bjornsenca@longwood.edu
Office Hours: M/W 2:30-3:30, T/R 3:30-4:30
Class meets 5:30-6:45, T/R in Ruffner 315
Course description
An in-depth investigation of the relationships between the cultural and human development, and the
thoughts, emotions, and behaviors of individuals in different cultures. Focuses on human traits,
development, and interactions from a multicultural and multiethnic perspective. 3 credits.
Required Reading
Cultural Psychology, by Steven J. Heine (2008, W. W. Norton Co.)
Course objectives
1. To help students gain a better understanding of the ways in which humans and culture interact and
influence each other.
2. To help students understand that the U.S. culture is only one way of being and living life, rather
than the only way.
3. To help develop an appreciation for the wide variations of human behavior, as well as the common
threads among all humans in most aspects of behavior.
4. To encourage an appreciation for the mutual relevance of psychology and other disciplines (e.g.,
anthropology, sociology, psychiatry) in studying human behavior in a broad intercultural perspective.
5. To help prepare students for other courses and occupations where an understanding of culture is
important.
6. To aid in the process of being better able to deal with and understand variations in human
behavior, thus making cross-cultural interactions more productive and enjoyable. An educated person
should be able to understand and appreciate world events and everyday behavior of people from
other cultures at a fairly sophisticated level.
7. To give the student more insight into his or her own behavior, attitudes, and values, as a result of
gaining an understanding of how culture influences the thoughts, emotions, and behavior of all
individuals.
Course requirements
3 Tests
100 points each
Term Paper
100 points
Final Exam – Cumulative, Multiple Choice
100 points
Tests
Tests will be administered in class, and will be completed without the use of notes or the text. Tests
will cover textbook readings, article readings, class lecture material, and class discussion information.
In other words, anything that is assigned reading and any information presented or discussed in class
will be included on the tests. The format of the tests (i.e., types of questions) will be decided as tests
are written. Students should be prepared to answer all types of questions on exams.
Term Paper
Students will research and write a 5-10 page term paper on a topic related to similarities and
differences between U.S. culture and Chinese culture. The goal of the paper is to describe how one
issue or characteristic is similar and/or different between these two cultures. The student must
reference scientific publications that provide evidence regarding similarities/differences in the
characteristic that is the focus of the paper. All students will all choose a different topic to write about.
Topics will be posted online in Blackboard as they are chosen. All topics must be chosen by Jan 25.
Students should expect to rely on 5-10 or more different scientific sources (e.g., articles) for the
paper.
The paper must be written in APA style. The instructor placed books on reserve in the library that
describe this writing style, and students can also use the guidelines on the following web site:
http://www.uwsp.edu/psych/apa4b.htm
Journals, books, and other high-quality periodicals will be used as sources for this paper. Internet
sites may not be used unless they are approved by the instructor. The textbook may not be used as a
source for the paper, although ideas for sources may be found in the text.
The following is a set of guidelines that will help the student write a high-quality paper. The writer
should focus on three things, in the following order: the message, the structure, and the mechanics.
Message: The writer should focus first, and write first, about the message of the paper. The message
is the overall content and theme(s) of the paper and what it is meant to communicate. Collecting
information about the overall theme of the paper, and writing about that information in the student’s
own words, should take up the majority of time and work spent on the paper. When the writer has all
the information needed, and this information is written on paper in “notes” form, then the writer can
begin to construct the Structure of the paper. This second part of paper writing means that the writer
arranges the information collected in a manner that “moves” the reader from beginning to end, from
topic to topic, and toward the “finish” or the concluding and summary statements at the end of the
paper. The paper should reflect a “journey” from beginning (the question or reason for writing the
paper) to the end (what, overall, was learned about this topic). After all information is arranged in the
proper order, the writer should be sure that paragraphs flow from one to another using proper
transitions. Finally, the writer should then read the paper carefully to polish up the Mechanics
(checking spelling, sentence construction, citations, and references).
Final Exam – Cumulative, Multiple Choice.
Extensions on assignments, make-up tests, etc. may be given, at the discretion of the instructor, only
for the following reasons: (1) Prior to the exam date or assignment due date, the student has
requested an extension because the assignment/exam conflicts with a college-sponsored activity
(such as a class field trip or LC sport team event). (2) The student has requested an extension, prior
to the exam/assignment due date, due to a serious illness or family emergency. (3) The student
was hospitalized and could not request an extension prior to the exam date or due date of the
assignment. No other reasons for missing an exam or assignment will be considered. Students
will be given a grade of zero for assignments/quizzes/tests missed. The final exam will be given on
the date and time assigned by the University, as printed in the official exam schedule. If a student
has more than two exams on one day, he or she may request that he/she be given the exam on a day
that is agreeable to the professor and student.
Grading policy
I grade on a ten-point scale, based on the percentage of the total points you earn. 100-90=A, 8980=B, 79-70=C, 69-60=D, 59-0=F.
Attendance
The professor will take attendance at the beginning of each class, although attendance per se will not
count toward the final grade. Students are required to be in class when class is scheduled to begin,
and to remain focused on class activities until the professor has indicated class is completed. If a
student misses a class, the student is responsible for what was discussed or taught in class that day.
The professor will not provide students with handouts or notes or lend students videotapes shown in
class, unless a student missed a class for a documented emergency or University-sponsored event. It
is always best to ask the professor beforehand if your reason for missing class would be excused or
not. Information presented via Power Point in class will not be available in Blackboard or on the
internet after class. Students therefore should be prepared to take notes each class, or get notes from
a classmate. Notes missed due to a University-sponsored event (e.g., athletic team travel) must be
obtained from another student. Videos or handouts missed due to a University-sponsored event (e.g.,
athletic team travel) may be provided by the instructor, with approval given prior to the missed class.
Honor Code and Student Conduct
Students are expected to assume full responsibility for their actions, and refrain from lying, cheating,
stealing, and plagiarism. University penalties for infraction of the Honor Code are detailed in the
Student Handbook, which students can find on-line within the Longwood University web pages, and
are responsible for understanding and following. If the professor believes a student has violated the
Honor Code, the student will receive an “F” for the course. The professor may also file Honor Code
charges against the student.
During class students are expected to be “on task” and paying attention at all times. Students should
be aware that the Student Handbook states that interfering with the duties of a student, faculty, or
staff member is a Judicial Code offense, and can result in academic probation. It is the responsibility
of your professor to protect and promote a classroom environment that meets high educational
standards. The professor will enforce the following policies for classroom conduct. The professor will
determine the degree to which such disruptions will affect the student’s assigned work and grades,
and possibly result in the filing of Judicial Code charges.
The following are not allowed, and will result in points deducted from the test or exam following the
infraction. Each infraction will result in 10 points deducted from the next test given in class. Repeated
and highly disruptive infractions may result in the student receiving an “F” for the class.
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Using one’s cell phone, Blackberry, iPhone, MP3 player, or any other hand-held device for any
reason. Students should be aware that looking in one’s lap and having one or both hands in
one’s lap is “the sign” that a student is using a cell phone, and will result in the aforementioned
grade reductions. In the event that a student is waiting for a phone call from a family member
regarding a family emergency, the student should discuss that with me prior to the start of
class.
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Using a laptop in class
Making a habit of arriving to class late or leaving class to use the restroom. Any student who
arrives late or needs to take an emergency bathroom break must give Dr. Bjornsen a piece of
paper with his or her name and the date on it before leaving the room.
Interrupting the professor or another student while that person is addressing the class
Falling asleep in class, or putting one's head down on the desk as if asleep
Making irrelevant, rude, derogatory, or hostile statements during class
Interfering with the professor's ability to engage students in discussion, direct a class activity,
or lecture during class time
Packing up one's belongings before the professor has indicated class is over
Reading or doing work during class that is not for this class or the topic of that day’s class
(including copying notes missed from another student)
Eating food or snacks or candy in the classroom (You may drink a beverage, but if it spills you
have to clean it up.)
Putting one's feet up on a chair, desk, or table. Classrooms are not dorm rooms.
Students are not permitted to audiotape class lectures or discussions without the consent of
the professor. Consent is only granted to students with disability needs verified by the Office of
Disability Services.
Other violations of proper student conduct may arise during the semester, and the professor will
discuss these with students at appropriate times.
Course Schedule
Tuesday
Jan 12 Syllabus, Photos
Jan 19 Ch 1 Culture and Human Nature
Jan 26 Ch 2 Cultural Evolution
Thursday
Jan 14 Ch 1 Culture and Human Nature
Jan 21 Ch 2 Cultural Evolution
Jan 28 Ch 3 Methods for Studying Culture
and Psychology
Feb 2 Ch 3 Methods for Studying Culture
Feb 4 Ch 4 Development and
and Psychology
Socialization
Feb 9 Ch 4 Development and Socialization Feb 11 Test 1 (Chs 1-4)
Feb 16 Ch 5 Self and Personality; Lecture Feb 18 Ch 5 Self and Personality Video:
on Japanese culture
Tokyo, Modern Japanese Culture
Feb 23 Lecture on Canada
Feb 25 Ch 6 Motivation Video: China’s
Lost Girls
Mar 2 Home assignment – Russian culture Mar 4 Tatiana - Russia
article
Mar 9 Spring Break
Mar 11 Spring Break
Mar 16 Baraka
Mar 18 Baraka, Ch 7 & 8
Mar 23 Test 2 (Chs 5-8)
Mar 25 Ch 9 Cognition and Perception
Mar 30 Ch 9 Cognition and Perception
Apr 2 Up the Yangtze - China
Apr 6 Finish Up the Yangtze; Ch 10
Apr 8 Ch 10 Mental and Physical Health
Mental and Physical Health
Paper Due
Apr 13 Ch 11 Interpersonal Attraction, etc Apr 15 Ch 12 Living in Multicultural Worlds
Apr 20 Ch 12 Living in Multicultural
Apr 22 Test 3 (Chs 9-12)
Worlds
Final Exam Thur Apr 29 6:30-9:00 pm
The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the above syllabus during the
semester if necessary, with proper notification provided to students during class.
Additional sources for Cross-Cultural Psychology:
Goldstein, S. B. (2000). Cross-Cultural Explorations: Activities in Culture and Psychology. Allyn &
Bacon Publishers.
Berry, J. W., Poortinga, Y. H., Segall, M. H., & Dasen, P. R. (2002). Cross-Cultural Psychology:
Research and Applications. New York, N.Y.: Cambridge University Press.
Smith, P. B. & Bond, M. H. (1999). Social Psychology Across Cultures (2nd Ed.). Allyn & Bacon
Publishers.
Pedersen, P. (1999). Multiculturalism as a Fourth Force. Brunner-Mazel Publishers.
Lee, Y-T., McCauley, C. R., & Draguns, J. G. (Eds.). (1999). Personality and Person Perception
Across Cultures. Lawrence Erlbaum Publishers.
Triandis, H. C., et al., (Eds.). (1980, 1981). Handbook of Cross-Cultural Psychology, Vols 1-6. Allyn
& Bacon Publishers.
Journals that focus on Cross-Cultural Research:
Behavioral Science Review, Culture and Psychology, Cross-Cultural Psychology, Cross-Cultural
Research, Ethos, International Journal of Intercultural Relations, International Journal of Psychology,
Journal of Comparative Family Studies, Journal of Ethnic Studies, Journal of Latin American Studies,
Journal of Social Psychology, Latin American Perspectives, Modern Asian Studies, World
Psychology.