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Cross-Cultural views on Social Perception: Basic Definitions
Source: Shiraev E.and Levy, D. Cross-Cultural Psychology. (2004). Second Edition. Boston: Allyn and Bacon
AttitudeA psychological representation of various
features of the social or physical world.
Cognitive dissonancePsychological tensions
caused by the perceived mismatch (dissonance)
between (a) attitudes and behavior, (b) two or more
decisions, or (c) two or more attitudes.
DogmatismThe tendency to be closed-minded,
rigid, and inflexible in one's opinions and subsequent
behavior.
Fundamental attribution errorThe tendency to
explain other's actions in terms of internal causes
and our own behavior in terms of circumstances,
environmental influences, and opportunities.
Locus of ControlThe generalized beliefs that the
control of one's reinforcements rests either on
controllable internal factors (internal locus of control)
or on uncontrollable external factors (external locus
of control).
Self-centered biasThe tendency to take credit for
our successes and avoid responsibility for our
failures.
Social cognitionThe process through which we
interpret, remember, and then use information about
the social world.
Social attributionThe process through which we
seek to explain and identify the causes of the
behavior of others as well as our own actions.
Social perceptionThe process through which we
seek to know and understand other people and
ourselves.
StereotypesTraits or characteristics generally
attributed to all members of specific groups.
Unassuming biasThe tendency to explain one’s
own success as a result of external factors, and
one’s failure as a result of personal mistakes or
weaknesses.
ValueA complex belief that reflects a principle,
standard, or quality considered by the individual as
the most desirable or appropriate.
Basic Human Values
Smith & Schwartz (1997)
Type 1. Social Order vs. Autonomy. The
“social order” views are shared by individuals who
believe in status quo, advocate moderation, selfdiscipline, and care about orderliness and tradition.
Those who share values of “autonomy,” emphasize
the right of individuals to pursue their own ideals and
people’s right to enjoy the variety of life for the sake
of own well-being.
Type 2. Hierarchy vs. Egalitarianism. If a
person supports the “hierarchy” values, he or she
justifies the legitimacy of an unequal distribution of
power, resources, and social roles in society. If a
person supports values “egalitarianism,” he or she
sees individuals as equals, who share basic
interests and should receive equal access to
society’s resources.
Type 3. Mastery vs. Harmony. “Mastery”
values encourage individuals to exercise control
over society and exploit its natural resources.
Ambition and high self-esteem are important
individual traits that accompany mastery values.
“Harmony” values stand for the view that the world
should be kept as is: both preserved and cherished
rather than violated and exploited.