Culture Conscious

Intelligence

Why Indian American Kids Dominate the National Spelling Bee

Lawrence T. White Ph.D. on May 30, 2025

Indian American youngsters consistently win academic competitions of all sorts. Cultural beliefs about the changeability of intelligence may explain their phenomenal success.

Indian American youngsters consistently win academic competitions of all sorts. Cultural beliefs about the changeability of intelligence may explain their phenomenal success.

Big 5 Personality Traits

How to Interpret a Psychological Atlas

Lawrence T. White Ph.D. on May 25, 2025

Global maps that depict gradations of psychological traits often conceal as much as they reveal. Here’s a guide for savvy map readers.

Global maps that depict gradations of psychological traits often conceal as much as they reveal. Here’s a guide for savvy map readers.

Cross-Cultural Psychology

How Much Happiness Is Enough in a Perfect World?

Lawrence T. White Ph.D. on May 7, 2025

In an ideal world, would most people choose to be maximally happy, healthy, and free? The answers given by 6,000 people in 27 countries may surprise you.

In an ideal world, would most people choose to be maximally happy, healthy, and free? The answers given by 6,000 people in 27 countries may surprise you.

Cognition

Is Time Packaged the Same Way Across Cultures?

Lawrence T. White Ph.D. on April 14, 2025

Psychological time is not clock time. How people in different parts of the world divide up the minutes in an hour may explain cultural differences in punctuality.

Psychological time is not clock time. How people in different parts of the world divide up the minutes in an hour may explain cultural differences in punctuality.

Cross-Cultural Psychology

Why Are AI Companions Especially Popular in East Asia?

Lawrence T. White Ph.D. on March 12, 2025

In two experiments, East Asians had more positive views of human-chatbot interactions than European Americans did. Might this tendency stem from Eastern religious traditions?

In two experiments, East Asians had more positive views of human-chatbot interactions than European Americans did. Might this tendency stem from Eastern religious traditions?

Social Media

Tweens, Social Media, and Cultural Learning

Lawrence T. White Ph.D. on February 4, 2025

A sensitive period for social learning coincides with the age at which many children use social media and encounter influencers for the first time. The effects are worrisome.

A sensitive period for social learning coincides with the age at which many children use social media and encounter influencers for the first time. The effects are worrisome.

Cross-Cultural Psychology

Two Big Ideas From Cultural Psychology

Lawrence T. White Ph.D. on January 14, 2025

Every academic discipline has at least one conceptual tool that helps us better understand how the world works. Here are two from cultural psychology about difference and sameness.

Every academic discipline has at least one conceptual tool that helps us better understand how the world works. Here are two from cultural psychology about difference and sameness.

Cognition

Two Amazing Discoveries About How We Think

Lawrence T. White Ph.D. on December 19, 2024

Two surprising findings from cognitive science demonstrate the strong impact of language and culture on financial decisions and taking the perspective of others.

Two surprising findings from cognitive science demonstrate the strong impact of language and culture on financial decisions and taking the perspective of others.

Affective Forecasting

Now That the Election Is Over, What Comes Next Emotionally?

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

Researchers who study emotions would like us to know one thing: Whatever comes next, it will almost certainly not feel as bad—or as good—as we might think.

Researchers who study emotions would like us to know one thing: Whatever comes next, it will almost certainly not feel as bad—or as good—as we might think.

Cross-Cultural Psychology

6 Psychological Universals

Lawrence T. White Ph.D. on October 20, 2024

In some ways, people are psychologically the same everywhere, no matter where they grow up. Which aspects of psychological functioning are impervious to cultural influences?

In some ways, people are psychologically the same everywhere, no matter where they grow up. Which aspects of psychological functioning are impervious to cultural influences?

Animal Behavior

Why Humans Have Thousands of Tools and Other Animals Do Not

Lawrence T. White Ph.D. on September 12, 2024

Some animals communicate with others and use a few tools, which may be signs of culture. But humans have hundreds of millions of cultural products. Why the enormous difference?

Some animals communicate with others and use a few tools, which may be signs of culture. But humans have hundreds of millions of cultural products. Why the enormous difference?

Bias

Implicit Bias Training for Police: Does It Work?

Lawrence T. White Ph.D. on August 23, 2024

Three new studies examine the impact of training programs designed to reduce racial disparities in policing outcomes.

Three new studies examine the impact of training programs designed to reduce racial disparities in policing outcomes.

Geographical Psychology

Where (in the World) Do Social Liberals Live?

Lawrence T. White Ph.D. on July 8, 2024

Social liberals who value personal liberties and strong institutions are more likely to live in certain nations, regions, and culture zones.

Social liberals who value personal liberties and strong institutions are more likely to live in certain nations, regions, and culture zones.

Social Life

How to Respond to a "Cultural Incident"

Lawrence T. White Ph.D. on June 20, 2024

Has a cultural encounter ever left you feeling confused, angry, and embarrassed? A few simple steps can help you successfully navigate your way.

Has a cultural encounter ever left you feeling confused, angry, and embarrassed? A few simple steps can help you successfully navigate your way.

Cross-Cultural Psychology

Can Therapists Be Trained for Cultural Competence?

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

Researchers in Germany tested the effectiveness of a transcultural therapy training course and found mixed results. What worked and what didn't?

Researchers in Germany tested the effectiveness of a transcultural therapy training course and found mixed results. What worked and what didn't?

Creativity

Do Conservative Values Lead to Lower Levels of Creativity?

Lawrence T. White Ph.D. on May 28, 2024

A new study examines the relationship between conservatism and creative thinking in 28 countries.

A new study examines the relationship between conservatism and creative thinking in 28 countries.

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.