Elective course - Culture and Psychology

Course content

Psychology prides itself for being a scientific discipline that describes, interprets, predicts, and changes the human mind and behaviors - but is it for everyone? During this course, we will examine (and sometimes challenge) the common premises and approach of today’s psychological researchers, practitioners, and educators. By reading, thinking, discussing, observing, and writing, we will also reflect on our own values and assumptions, which would hopefully make us better members of this increasingly globalized world.

 

The content of the course encompasses:

  • Core concepts and frameworks of cross-cultural psychology and culturally sensitive research
  • Cross-cultural research methods (e.g., types of cross-cultural comparisons, research, and Bias and equivalence)
  • Culture, cognition, and emotion
  • Culture and self
  • Culture and human development
  • Cultural understanding and sensitivity in mental health and psychotherapy
  • Multicultural competence (acculturation, challenges and strategies for intercultural interactions)
Education

The course is open to:

  • Bachelor Programmes in Psychology

 

The course is open to:

  • Exchange and Guest students from abroad

Curriculum - UCPH

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

  • Have research-based knowledge of concepts, theories, and methods in cross-cultural psychology
  • Identify explicit and implicit definitions of "culture" in psychological studies
  • Describe key mechanisms which culture can influence human behavior and mental processes

 

Skills:

  • Recognize different levels of comparison and major approaches of including culture in psychological research
  • Critically compare human behaviors and mental processes across cultures
  • Develop scientific and critical thinking skills, through reviewing, evaluating, and discussing existing literature on cross-cultural psychological research, as well as debating contrasting research findings and frameworks

 

Competences:

  • Present and discuss cross-cultural psychological knowledge and problems
  • Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of culturally-relevant psychological studies in an area of interest
  • Explain own cultural assumptions about human behaviour, emotion, and cognition
  • Relate psychological concepts to one's experiences and interests to aid in the learning process
  • Demonstrate sensitivity while interacting with individuals with diverse backgrounds and/or perspectives
  • Plan, design, and tentatively implement research projects in the area of cross-cultural psychology

Class.

Attendance of at least 75% of the classes and active participation in the activities, assignments, presentations etc. set by the course coordinator.

Active participation consists of:
1) Class discussion: demonstrates accurate reading and understanding of assigned texts;
2) Group work and small-scale workshops: active students’ contributions to the construal of classes and the transposition of theoretical material to real-life cases;
3) Oral presentation: students will take part in a group debate, where two groups (2-3 students approx.) will present and defend opposite positions/frameworks related to research within cross-cultural psychology. Some materials will be provided for guidance, but both groups are expected to conduct a thorough literature review of both their own and the opposite position.

Syllabus cf. curriculum: The syllabus can be compulsory or combined compulsory/self-selected.
Elective (BA) (7.5 ECTS): approx. 600 standard pages
Elective (MA) (7.5 ECTS credits): approx. 800 standard pages

An up-to-date syllabus list will be available in the course room on Absalon just before the start of the semester.

If the course has previously been offered, syllabus lists can be found here: Absalon

Written
Oral
Individual
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Feedback by final exam (In addition to the grade)
Peer feedback (Students give each other feedback)
ECTS
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Home assignment
Type of assessment details
Set assignment. Literature review (essay)

Literature Review
Students will write a literature review that focuses centrally on issues of culture (in psychological research). Students are encouraged to refer to class materials, notes, or other academic sources available online (with references).
The review must:
1) develop and examine one clearly defined research question that fall in one of the areas covered in class (e.g., emotion, cognition, human development, mental health, therapy, multicultural competences…), with
2) culture as a centerpiece, and
3) make critical use of concepts explored in the course texts and in class discussions, and self-chosen literature.

The review should include a title page, an abstract, and references. It should follow APA style and have a length (including abstract and in-text references) between 10-15 pages.
Students will receive guidance throughout the course and some feedback on their ideas and plans for implementation halfway through the course. Additional specifications are given when the course starts.
Examination prerequisites

Minimum attendance of 75% to sit the exam. In addition, all students must be deemed to have actively participated in class discussions. They must have presented effectively on one text and also attended and given a final presentation in the last class. Under these conditions can they move forward and take the final assessment.

Aid
All aids allowed

Unless otherwise specified, the Department of Psychology prohibits the use of generative AI software and large language models (AI/LLMs), such as ChatGPT, for generating novel and creative content in written exams. However, students may use AI/LLMs to enhance the presentation of their own original work, such as text editing, argument validation, or improving statistical programming code. Students must disclose in an appendix if and how AI/LLMs were used; this appendix will not count toward the page limit of the exam. This policy is in place to ensure that students’ written exams accurately reflect their own knowledge and understanding of the material.

Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Exam period

Exam information:

The examination date can be found in the exam schedule   here

Re-exam

Reexam information:

The reexamination date/period can be found in the reexam schedule   here

Criteria for exam assessment

Students are assessed on the extent to which they master the learning outcome for the course.

 

To obtain the top grade “12”, the student must with no or only a few minor weaknesses be able to demonstrate an excellent performance displaying a high level of command of all aspects of the relevant material and can make use of the knowledge, skills and competencies listed in the learning outcomes.

 

To obtain the passing grade “02”, the student must in a satisfactory way be able to demonstrate a minimal acceptable level of the knowledge, skills and competencies listed in the learning outcomes.

  • Category
  • Hours
  • Class Instruction
  • 30
  • English
  • 30

Kursusinformation

Language
English
Course number
APSB21758U
ECTS
7,5 ECTS
Programme level
Bachelor
Full Degree Master
Master’s minor subject
Duration

1 semester

Placement
Autumn And Spring
Schedulegroup
B
Studyboard
Department of Psychology, Study Council
Contracting department
  • Department of Psychology
Contracting faculty
  • Faculty of Social Sciences
Course Coordinator
  • Xuan Li   (7-7f7c687535737047777a8035727c356b72)
Saved on the 09-05-2025

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