Culture Conscious

Media

Effect of Television Watching on Skin Tone Preference

Lawrence T. White Ph.D. on April 22, 2024

A new study of rural villagers in Nicaragua finds a link between watching TV and a preference for lighter-skinned faces.

A new study of rural villagers in Nicaragua finds a link between watching TV and a preference for lighter-skinned faces.

Ethics and Morality

Do People Everywhere Cheat?

Lawrence T. White Ph.D. on April 13, 2024

Do people in some countries generally cheat more often than people in other countries? Two international teams of researchers think not.

Do people in some countries generally cheat more often than people in other countries? Two international teams of researchers think not.

Politics

Three Facial Features Can Tip the Scales in a Close Election

Lawrence T. White Ph.D. on March 6, 2024

Studies in Germany have found that voters prefer candidates who have specific facial features that make them appear trustworthy and forceful.

Studies in Germany have found that voters prefer candidates who have specific facial features that make them appear trustworthy and forceful.

Sleep

Are Eight Hours of Sleep Necessary for Good Health?

Lawrence T. White Ph.D. on January 26, 2024

Cultural factors influence the relationship between the amount of sleep and overall health.

Cultural factors influence the relationship between the amount of sleep and overall health.

Cross-Cultural Psychology

Cities Where Tourists Are More Likely to Receive Help

Lawrence T. White Ph.D. on January 15, 2024

Picture yourself sightseeing in a foreign city. If misfortune comes your way and you stumble and fall, where will you be most likely to receive help from a passerby?

Picture yourself sightseeing in a foreign city. If misfortune comes your way and you stumble and fall, where will you be most likely to receive help from a passerby?

Parenting

The Practices of "Exemplary" Guatemalan Mothers

Lawrence T. White Ph.D. on January 9, 2024

Highly regarded mothers in Guatemala raise their children to be kind, hard-working, and family-oriented. They also set strict limits. Should other mothers follow their example?

Highly regarded mothers in Guatemala raise their children to be kind, hard-working, and family-oriented. They also set strict limits. Should other mothers follow their example?

Cross-Cultural Psychology

Two Lessons From Psychology for Policymakers

Lawrence T. White Ph.D. on December 12, 2023

When designing solutions to social problems in the U.S., we should (1) look at what other countries do and (2) shape behavior by modifying situations and environments.

When designing solutions to social problems in the U.S., we should (1) look at what other countries do and (2) shape behavior by modifying situations and environments.

Psychology

Can Psychology’s Two Tribes Reconcile Their Differences?

Lawrence T. White Ph.D. on November 26, 2023

In some ways, research psychologists and psychotherapists are like warring clans. What are the prospects for a cultural rapprochement?

In some ways, research psychologists and psychotherapists are like warring clans. What are the prospects for a cultural rapprochement?

Cross-Cultural Psychology

Can Anything Good Come from Shaming Others?

Lawrence T. White Ph.D. on November 6, 2023

In some parts of the world, shaming is associated with psychological harm. In other parts of the world, shaming is seen as beneficial to society.

In some parts of the world, shaming is associated with psychological harm. In other parts of the world, shaming is seen as beneficial to society.

Mating

Why Men Are Likely to Say “I Love You” First

Lawrence T. White Ph.D. on September 4, 2023

Studies indicate that men are more likely than women to first utter those three little words, a possibly universal phenomenon known as “male confession bias.”

Studies indicate that men are more likely than women to first utter those three little words, a possibly universal phenomenon known as “male confession bias.”

Consumer Behavior

Is There a Link Between Materialism and Nomophobia?

Lawrence T. White Ph.D. on July 26, 2023

A study of Gen Zers in four countries has identified an unexpected predictor of who does—and who does not—fear being without their smartphone.

A study of Gen Zers in four countries has identified an unexpected predictor of who does—and who does not—fear being without their smartphone.

Autism

Is Life Easier for Autistic People in Japan?

Lawrence T. White Ph.D. on July 7, 2023

Why Japanese society may provide an especially good cultural fit for some autism-related behaviors.

Why Japanese society may provide an especially good cultural fit for some autism-related behaviors.

Happiness

What’s More Important, Your Family's Happiness or Your Own?

Lawrence T. White Ph.D. on May 31, 2023

Researchers surveyed people in 49 cultures to assess the relative importance of personal happiness and family happiness. Surprisingly, they found the same result everywhere.

Researchers surveyed people in 49 cultures to assess the relative importance of personal happiness and family happiness. Surprisingly, they found the same result everywhere.

Bias

Interacting With Outgroup Members Reduces Prejudice

Lawrence T. White Ph.D. on April 29, 2023

A new study of people in 19 nations has found that interacting with "outsiders" reduces prejudice, even when individuals feel threatened or unfairly treated by the outsiders.

A new study of people in 19 nations has found that interacting with "outsiders" reduces prejudice, even when individuals feel threatened or unfairly treated by the outsiders.

Education

3 Steps to Becoming a Better Teacher

Lawrence T. White Ph.D. on April 10, 2023

The first step is to think less about how to teach and more about how students learn. The second and third steps follow from that crucial shift in perspective.

The first step is to think less about how to teach and more about how students learn. The second and third steps follow from that crucial shift in perspective.

Cognition

Language Clues Can Mislead Cultural Psychologists

Lawrence T. White Ph.D. on March 16, 2023

Fans of detective stories know that a clue may reveal what happened or be a red herring. Cultural psychologists encounter the same dilemma with linguistic clues.

Fans of detective stories know that a clue may reveal what happened or be a red herring. Cultural psychologists encounter the same dilemma with linguistic clues.

Bias

Does “Racist” Mean “Racially Prejudiced”?

Lawrence T. White Ph.D. on March 3, 2023

Word meanings can change over time. What are the psychological consequences of redefining “racist” to include persons who are prejudiced or racially insensitive?

Word meanings can change over time. What are the psychological consequences of redefining “racist” to include persons who are prejudiced or racially insensitive?

Identity

The Dark Side of Cultural Affirmation

Lawrence T. White Ph.D. on February 4, 2023

Cheering for our team makes us feel more valued, but it can also lead to treating others meanly and unfairly. Fortunately, there's a better way to enhance our self-concept.

Cheering for our team makes us feel more valued, but it can also lead to treating others meanly and unfairly. Fortunately, there's a better way to enhance our self-concept.

Self-Esteem

The Psychology of Cultural Affirmation: Cheering for Our Team

Lawrence T. White Ph.D. on February 2, 2023

When we cheer for our team or wave its flag, we experience a higher level of self-esteem. This is the psychological benefit of cultural affirmation.

When we cheer for our team or wave its flag, we experience a higher level of self-esteem. This is the psychological benefit of cultural affirmation.

Depression

Emotional Content of Children's Books in China and the U.S.

Lawrence T. White Ph.D. on December 24, 2022

Do some children develop unrealistic expectations about how often they will feel happy, sad, or anxious? If they do, popular children's books may bear some responsibility.

Do some children develop unrealistic expectations about how often they will feel happy, sad, or anxious? If they do, popular children's books may bear some responsibility.