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Author(s): Eckensberger, Lutz H.
Title: The mutual relevance of indigenous psychology and morality
In: Kim, Uichol; Yang, Kuo-Sho; Hwang, Kwang-Kuo (Hrsg.): Indigenous and cultural psychology: Understanding people in context, Heidelberg: Springer, 2006 (International and Cultural Psychology), S. 225-245
DOI: 10.1007/0-387-28662-4_10
URL: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/0-387-28662-4_10
Publication Type: 4. Beiträge in Sammelwerken; Sammelband (keine besondere Kategorie)
Language: Englisch
Keywords: Psychologie; Kultur; Gruppe; Kulturpsychologie; Moral; Religion
Abstract (english): The relation of morality to indigenous psychology (IP) is examined from four different yet complementary viewpoints. First, the topic of morality is dealt with on a content level: If social scientists conceive of IP as a psychology that aims at understanding, explaining and predicting people's behaviour within specific cultures, then cultural rule systems, which are normative frameworks for individual behaviour, can be understood as the core and the main differentia specifica of such a psychology. The crucial question of whether or not morality as one of these rule systems is culture specific (indigenous) or universal is discussed. Second, the role of morality in the emergence of IPs is treated at the science of science level. Third, an argument is developed based on the fact that particularly from an IP perspective, research on culture does not just serve an analytical function, but treats culture as a characteristic of a group. It is postulated that this conceptualization of cultures as more or less homogenous entities has moral implications. Finally, basic methodical implications are discussed. It is postulated that the general research strategy proposed in cross-cultural psychology must also be complemented by heeding moral arguments.
DIPF-Departments: Bildung und Kultur