Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 14, 2026

Author Spotlight: In Vitro Endometrial Models to Study Epithelial-Stroma and Embryo Interactions
Published on: November 8, 2024
Culture Three Ways: Culture and Subcultures Within Countries
1Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089-1061;
Abstract:
Culture can be thought of as a set of everyday practices and a core theme-individualism, collectivism, or honor-as well as the capacity to understand each of these themes. In one's own culture, it is easy to fail to see that a cultural lens exists and instead to think that there is no lens at all, only reality. Hence, studying culture requires stepping out of it. There are two main methods to do so: The first involves using between-group comparisons to highlight differences and the second involves using experimental methods to test the consequences of disruption to implicit cultural frames. These methods highlight three ways that culture organizes experience: (a) It shields reflexive processing by making everyday life feel predictable, (b) it scaffolds which cognitive procedure (connect, separate, or order) will be the default in ambiguous situations, and (c) it facilitates situation-specific accessibility of alternate cognitive procedures. Modern societal social-demographic trends reduce predictability and increase collectivism and honor-based go-to cognitive procedures.
Related Concept Videos
Self Within Cultural Contexts
The Role of Culture
Cultural Influences on Personality
Self-Esteem and Culture
Close Relationships and Culture
Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture

