Why do Cultural Differences So Often Trump Cross-Cultural Invariance?

Authors

Ype H. Poortinga, Tilburg UniveristyFollow

Publication Date

2016

Abstract

In this roundtable discussion I will advocate balancing psychological invariance and cultural variation. There are large and evident differences between the behavior repertoires of human groups. Cross-cultural researchers have endeavored to explain such differences in terms of broad and inclusive sociocultural dimensions, styles and traits. Among other contributions to this roundtable, I will argue that psychological patterning of cross-cultural differences is much less coherent than our literature tends to suggest. Admittedly, this is a serious challenge; if correct, it implies that cross-cultural psychology tends to engage in cultural stereotyping.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.4087/DQRF2666

ScholarWorks Citation

Poortinga, Y. H. (2016). Why do cultural differences so often trump cross-cultural invariance? In C. Roland-Lévy, P. Denoux, B. Voyer, P. Boski, & W. K. Gabrenya Jr. (Eds.), Unity, diversity and culture. Proceedings from the 22nd Congress of the International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology. https://doi.org/10.4087/DQRF2666