The Psychological Foundations of Culture

Nonfiction, Health & Well Being, Psychology, Pathological Psychology, Psychotherapy
Cover of the book The Psychological Foundations of Culture by , Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: ISBN: 9781135648145
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: September 12, 2003
Imprint: Psychology Press Language: English
Author:
ISBN: 9781135648145
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: September 12, 2003
Imprint: Psychology Press
Language: English

How is it that cultures come into existence at all? How do cultures develop particular customs and characteristics rather than others? How do cultures persist and change over time? Most previous attempts to address these questions have been descriptive and historical. The purpose of this book is to provide answers that are explanatory, predictive, and relevant to the emergence and continuing evolution of cultures past, present, and future. Most other investigations into "cultural psychology" have focused on the impact that culture has on the psychology of the individual. The focus of this book is the reverse.

The authors show how questions about the origins and evolution of culture can be fruitfully answered through rigorous and creative examination of fundamental characteristics of human cognition, motivation, and social interaction. They review recent theory and research that, in many different ways, points to the influence of basic psychological processes on the collective structures that define cultures. These processes operate in all sorts of different populations, ranging from very small interacting groups to grand-scale masses of people occupying the same demographic or geographic category. The cultural effects--often unintended--of individuals' thoughts and actions are demonstrated in a wide variety of customs, ritualized practices, and shared mythologies: for example, religious beliefs, moral standards, rules for the allocation of resources, norms for the acceptable expression of aggression, gender stereotypes, and scientific values.

The Psychological Foundations of Culture reveals that the consequences of psychological processes resonate well beyond the disciplinary constraints of psychology. By taking a psychological approach to questions usually addressed by anthropologists, sociologists, and other social scientists, it suggests that psychological research into the foundations of culture is a useful--perhaps even necessary--complement to other forms of inquiry.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

How is it that cultures come into existence at all? How do cultures develop particular customs and characteristics rather than others? How do cultures persist and change over time? Most previous attempts to address these questions have been descriptive and historical. The purpose of this book is to provide answers that are explanatory, predictive, and relevant to the emergence and continuing evolution of cultures past, present, and future. Most other investigations into "cultural psychology" have focused on the impact that culture has on the psychology of the individual. The focus of this book is the reverse.

The authors show how questions about the origins and evolution of culture can be fruitfully answered through rigorous and creative examination of fundamental characteristics of human cognition, motivation, and social interaction. They review recent theory and research that, in many different ways, points to the influence of basic psychological processes on the collective structures that define cultures. These processes operate in all sorts of different populations, ranging from very small interacting groups to grand-scale masses of people occupying the same demographic or geographic category. The cultural effects--often unintended--of individuals' thoughts and actions are demonstrated in a wide variety of customs, ritualized practices, and shared mythologies: for example, religious beliefs, moral standards, rules for the allocation of resources, norms for the acceptable expression of aggression, gender stereotypes, and scientific values.

The Psychological Foundations of Culture reveals that the consequences of psychological processes resonate well beyond the disciplinary constraints of psychology. By taking a psychological approach to questions usually addressed by anthropologists, sociologists, and other social scientists, it suggests that psychological research into the foundations of culture is a useful--perhaps even necessary--complement to other forms of inquiry.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Facets of Emotion by
Cover of the book International Environmental Treaties and State Behavior by
Cover of the book To What Ends and By What Means by
Cover of the book Latin American Gothic in Literature and Culture by
Cover of the book Constructing Risk and Safety in Technological Practice by
Cover of the book Short Sighted Solutions: Trade and Energy Policies for the US Auto Industry by
Cover of the book Making Electricity Resilient by
Cover of the book The Roman Spirit - In Religion, Thought and Art by
Cover of the book Order and Security in Southeast Asia by
Cover of the book The Optical Munitions Industry in Great Britain, 1888–1923 by
Cover of the book Globalization, Lifelong Learning and the Learning Society by
Cover of the book Success with STEM by
Cover of the book Urban Social Geography by
Cover of the book Could It Be Otherwise? by
Cover of the book Bare Facts and Naked Truths by
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy