GISDepartment of Global and Interdisciplinary Studies

This course introduces the perspectives and major research findings of cultural psychology. The course will introduce general theories and perspectives underlying cultural psychology, explore cultural influences on a wide range of psychological processes, including socialization, self-concept, motivation, emotion, and cognition. The course will also explain the mechanisms underlying cultural differences and examine the process of acculturation and biculturalism in an increasingly diverse world. Throughout this course, students will learn how culture shapes the way we think and behave and how we, at the same time, shape these cultures.

One of the aims of this course is to introduce students to the perspectives, research methods, and findings of cultural psychology. Another equally important aim of this course is cultivating students' abilities to understand and deal with variations in psychological processes across cultural and ethnic groups, as well as to gain an understanding of the cultural groundings of their own experiences and actions. By the end of this course, students will be able to demonstrate understanding of how cultural systems influence individuals’ psychological processing, including development, self-concepts, motivation, emotion, and cognition. They will also be able to critically engage and analyze cultural products, such as books, films, and advertisements.

Will be able to gain “DP 1”, “DP 2”, “DP 3”, and “DP 4”.

英語 / English

Instructional methods include lectures, films, discussion over assigned readings, and small group activities. At the beginning of class, feedback for the previous class is given using some comments from submitted reaction papers.

あり / Yes

なし / No

授業形態/methods of teaching：対面/face to face

※各回の授業形態は予定です。教員の指示に従ってください。

1[オンライン/online]：Introduction

What is cultural psychology?

2[対面/face to face]：Culture and Socialization I

Development of the cultural mind

3[対面/face to face]：Culture and Socialization II

Education practices

4[対面/face to face]：Culture and the Self I

Cultural differences in self-concepts

5[対面/face to face]：Culture and the Self II

Consequences for self-consistency and egoism

6[対面/face to face]：Culture and Motivation I

Goals and theories underlying motivation

7[対面/face to face]：Culture and Motivation II

Cultural differences in motivation, control, and choice

8[対面/face to face]：Review and Midterm Exam

What have we learned so far? Multiple choice questions and short-essays

9[対面/face to face]：Culture and Emotion

Universality and cultural variation in emotions

10[対面/face to face]：Culture and Cognition I

Cultural differences in cognition

11[対面/face to face]：Culture and Cognition II

Where do cultural differences come from?

12[対面/face to face]：Acculturation and Biculturalism I

Time course of acculturation and factors that influence acculturation

13[対面/face to face]：Acculturation and Biculturalism II

The bicultural self

14[対面/face to face]：Review and Final Exam

What have we learned so far? Multiple choice questions and short-essays

Students should review their notes before each class and be prepared to explain the major concepts and theories they have learned. Students must download and print out the handouts before each class and bring them to class to take notes. Students are required to do the assigned readings and submit reaction papers during the term. Preparatory study and review time for this class are 2 hours each.

Handouts and reading materials will be provided by lecturer.

Heine, S. J. (2015). Cultural Psychology. New York: W. W. Norton.
Cohen, D., & Kitayama, S. (2019). Handbook of Cultural Psychology. Second edition. New York: Guilford Press.

Both reference books are available in the library and the GIS Reference Room for those who wish to learn about each topic in more detail.

Final grades are based on two exams (25% each), reaction papers for assigned readings (25%), and class participation (25%).

Students found this class difficult but appreciated the challenge. I hope to continue engaging students with materials through various hands-on activities and discussions.

Students must have taken and received credits in at least one (preferably both) of the following courses: Social Psychology I, Social Psychology II.