“Big data” versus “small data” in social sciences

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 98-119
Author(s):  
Wenjie Duan ◽  
Wenlong Mu ◽  
He Bu
Keyword(s):  
Big Data ◽  
Character Strengths ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Human Cognition ◽  
Small Data ◽  
Sampling Studies ◽  
Cultural Research ◽  
Important Approach ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Emic And Etic

Culture significantly influences human cognition and behavior, which has become a major obstacle in cross-cultural studies. Comparing traditional sampling studies (i.e., small data research) with the novelty of millions of samples studies (i.e., big data research), we suggest that the results of the finely controlled, precisely sampled, and accurately analyzed theory-driven small-data research can be replicated by big data studies. This conclusion has been illustrated by recent studies on structures of character strengths that were conducted in both western and eastern countries. Therefore, big data studies that take into account both emic and etic components will be an important approach to conduct cross-cultural research. It facilitates the construction of theories and measures with cross-cultural consistency. Nevertheless, it should be noted that “small data” and “big data” studies are complementary and should not be treated as substitutes for one another.

The systematic study of how subtle forms of bias related to prosocial behavior operate in racial and gender relations

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 104-121
Author(s):  
Silvia Abad-Merino ◽  
John F. Dovidio ◽  
Carmen Tabernero ◽  
Ignacio González
Keyword(s):  
Gender Relations ◽  
Minority Groups ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cultural Research ◽  
The Status ◽  
And Gender ◽  
And Behavior

Psychological research and theory have traditionally focused on bias and conflict between separate groups. Our central thesis is that the processes that shape hierarchical group relations within a society are distinctive and typically operate in ways that are frequently subtle rather than blatant. The challenges of detecting new subtle forms of bias are receiving considerable attention in the field of social psychology, internationally. Although explicit hostility toward minority groups seems to have faded in modern societies, cross-cultural data show that the status, resources, and the power of women and ethnic/racial minorities remain unequal. The present literature review integrates the findings of cross-cultural research showing the role of paternalistic legitimizing ideas and behavior for establishing, maintaining, and reinforcing group hierarchy and the disadvantage of members of traditionally underrepresented groups. Specifically, we explain how intergroup helping relations can be used as a mechanism to maintain social advantage in racial and gender relations. These theoretical and experimental insights help illuminate the dynamics of relations between socially linked groups and the nature of contemporary bias. We also highlight how this perspective suggests novel and productive directions for future research.

Psychology as a Historical Science

2021 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 717-749
Author(s):  
Michael Muthukrishna ◽  
Joseph Henrich ◽  
Edward Slingerland
Keyword(s):  
Critical Role ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Human Cognition ◽  
Cultural Variation ◽  
Historical Science ◽  
Historical Texts ◽  
Subject Pool ◽  
Work Psychology ◽  
And Behavior

Psychology has traditionally seen itself as the science of universal human cognition, but it has only recently begun seriously grappling with cross-cultural variation. Here we argue that the roots of cross-cultural variation often lie in the past. Therefore, to understand not only how but also why psychology varies, we need to grapple with cross-temporal variation. The traces of past human cognition accessible through historical texts and artifacts can serve as a valuable, and almost completely unutilized, source of psychological data. These data from dead minds open up an untapped and highly diverse subject pool. We review examples of research that may be classified as historical psychology, introduce sources of historical data and methods for analyzing them, explain the critical role of theory, and discuss how psychologists can add historical depth and nuance to their work. Psychology needs to become a historical science if it wants to be a genuinely universal science of human cognition and behavior.

Sociocultural memory development research drives new directions in gadgetry science

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Penny Van Bergen ◽  
John Sutton
Keyword(s):  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Autobiographical Memory ◽  
Developmental Psychology ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Memory Development ◽  
Development Research ◽  
Cultural Research ◽  
New Directions ◽  
Cross Cultural Research

Abstract Sociocultural developmental psychology can drive new directions in gadgetry science. We use autobiographical memory, a compound capacity incorporating episodic memory, as a case study. Autobiographical memory emerges late in development, supported by interactions with parents. Intervention research highlights the causal influence of these interactions, whereas cross-cultural research demonstrates culturally determined diversity. Different patterns of inheritance are discussed.

Measurement Invariance of a Universal Behavioral Screener Across Samples From the USA and Germany

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gino Casale ◽  
Robert J. Volpe ◽  
Brian Daniels ◽  
Thomas Hennemann ◽  
Amy M. Briesch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Measurement Invariance ◽  
Student Behavior ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Cross Cultural Comparison ◽  
School Based ◽  
Cultural Research ◽  
Universal Screener ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
The Us ◽  
The Usa

Abstract. The current study examines the item and scalar equivalence of an abbreviated school-based universal screener that was cross-culturally translated and adapted from English into German. The instrument was designed to assess student behavior problems that impact classroom learning. Participants were 1,346 K-6 grade students from the US (n = 390, Mage = 9.23, 38.5% female) and Germany (n = 956, Mage = 8.04, 40.1% female). Measurement invariance was tested by multigroup confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) across students from the US and Germany. Results support full scalar invariance between students from the US and Germany (df = 266, χ2 = 790.141, Δχ2 = 6.9, p < .001, CFI = 0.976, ΔCFI = 0.000, RMSEA = 0.052, ΔRMSEA = −0.003) indicating that the factor structure, the factor loadings, and the item thresholds are comparable across samples. This finding implies that a full cross-cultural comparison including latent factor means and structural coefficients between the US and the German version of the abbreviated screener is possible. Therefore, the tool can be used in German schools as well as for cross-cultural research purposes between the US and Germany.

Alcohol-Related Cross-Cultural Research Rediscovered

1988 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 543-543
Author(s):  
Kaye Middleton Fillmore
Keyword(s):  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Cultural Research ◽  
Cross Cultural Research
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