Cultural Variation - GCSE Psychology Definition

Reviewed by: Raj Bonsor

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Cultural variation refers to the differences in behaviours, beliefs, values, and traditions that exist between different cultural groups.

In psychology, understanding cultural variation is important because it helps explain why people from different backgrounds might think or act in unique ways. For example, certain behaviours or customs that are normal in one culture might be unusual or even unacceptable in another. Recognising these differences is important for understanding how culture affects people's thoughts, feelings, and actions.

Cultural variation can influence everything from communication styles to family structures and helps us appreciate the diversity in human experiences.

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Raj Bonsor

Reviewer: Raj Bonsor

Expertise: Psychology & Sociology Content Creator

Raj joined Save My Exams in 2024 as a Senior Content Creator for Psychology & Sociology. Prior to this, she spent fifteen years in the classroom, teaching hundreds of GCSE and A Level students. She has experience as Subject Leader for Psychology and Sociology, and her favourite topics to teach are research methods (especially inferential statistics!) and attachment. She has also successfully taught a number of Level 3 subjects, including criminology, health & social care, and citizenship.

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