What does cultural psychology examine?

Cultural psychology examines the influence of culture on psychological processes, making it essential for understanding how individuals think, feel, and behave within their unique cultural contexts. It delves into how cultural values, practices, and norms shape psychological outcomes and perspectives. This branch of psychology emphasizes that human behavior cannot be fully understood without considering the cultural environment in which individuals are situated.

This approach recognizes the interplay between culture and individual psychology, highlighting that our mental processes are not universal but are instead molded by cultural identity. Cultural psychology investigates how culture affects various aspects of psychological functioning, including cognition, emotion, motivation, and social interactions.

Other options focus on more narrow aspects that do not encompass the broader interrogation of cultural influences on psychological processes. For instance, examining individual psychology in isolation overlooks the significant role that cultural factors play in shaping experiences and behaviors. Similarly, while the effects of globalization on behavior and the evolution of psychological theories might be relevant topics, they do not directly address the core purpose of cultural psychology, which is to explore the direct connection between culture and psychology.