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Multicultural minds. A dynamic constructivist approach to culture and cognition
Y Y Hong1, M W Morris, C Y Chiu
1Division of Social Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. sohong@ust.hk
The American Psychologist
|August 5, 2000
Summary
This study explores how cultural knowledge influences meaning construction. Bicultural individuals can control cognitive effects by switching cultural frames, demonstrating dynamic constructivism in action.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Cultural Psychology
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Culture shapes cognition by providing implicit theories that guide meaning construction.
- The accessibility of cultural constructs influences their impact on perception and behavior.
- Bicultural individuals navigate and integrate multiple cultural frameworks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a dynamic, constructivist approach to understanding culture and cognition.
- To investigate how cultural knowledge becomes operative in guiding meaning.
- To examine the cognitive processes of bicultural individuals switching between cultural frames.
Main Methods:
- Cognitive priming experiments were used to simulate bicultural frame-switching.
- Participants were exposed to culturally laden symbols to activate specific cultural constructs.
- Experimental design focused on the accessibility and activation of implicit theories.
Main Results:
- The accessibility of cultural constructs, influenced by recent exposure, determines their salience.
- Culturally laden symbols effectively triggered shifts between different cultural frames.
- The study demonstrated that individuals can dynamically access and utilize cultural knowledge.
Conclusions:
- A dynamic, constructivist framework explains how culture influences cognition.
- Bicultural individuals can consciously control the cognitive impact of their internalized cultures.
- Understanding cultural frame-switching offers insights into behavior and meaning construction.