Cross-Cultural Social Psychology

In the last decade or so, cross-cultural issues have received increased attention, and social-psychological research across cultures has proliferated, although unevenly with respect to theoretical and substantive areas. This chapter reviews the basic issues associated with a cross-cultural approach to social psychology, and assesses recent theoretical, methodological, and substantive progress. We first develop a working definition of "culture" and "crosscultural." We then examine the major motivations for the increase in cross-cultural research at this time in history. We proceed to review some major theoretical issues and empirical work exemplifying different theoretical approaches. Finally, we briefly review methodological issues and practical problems associated with the actual practice of research in different cultures, and conclude with our view of the place of cross-cultural work in social psychology.