Culture: Human Development (DP IB Psychology: HL): Exam Questions

Source 2

A study was conducted to investigate the values prioritised by adolescents in two cultures.

Fifty 16-year-old participants from each country (USA and Japan) rated the importance of independence and the importance of family duty on a scale from 1 (not important) to 10 (very important). The mean importance ratings were calculated for these values in the two samples.

Table 1: Mean importance ratings (1–10) for values of independence and family duty among adolescents in the USA and Japan

Analyse the findings from source 2 and state a conclusion linked to the claim that enculturation plays a key role in self-development.

Source 3

A researcher conducted focus group interviews with 16-year-old students from four different cultural backgrounds to explore how culture influences their sense of self.

A thematic analysis of the interview transcripts identified the following themes:

• Adolescents from individualistic cultural backgrounds tended to describe their identity in terms of personal traits and achievements (e.g. “I’m someone who works hard to reach my personal goals”)

• Adolescents from collectivistic cultural backgrounds often described their identity in terms of family and social roles (e.g. “I am a daughter and a member of my community; that’s what defines me”)

• Several participants with bicultural backgrounds expressed feeling “caught between” different cultural expectations, struggling to balance personal desires with family obligations

• Many participants highlighted that traditional cultural practices and language were important for their sense of who they are

Discuss the extent to which the findings from source 3 may be transferable to other populations or contexts.

To what extent can we conclude that enculturation plays a key role in self-development? In your answer, use your own knowledge and at least three of sources 2–5 (opens in a new tab).