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The study of culture and related concepts, such as ethnicity Despite the historical and contemporary awareness
and race, in American psychology are examined in this concerning the importance of culture among a number
article. First, the conceptual confusion and ways in which of scholars, the study of culture and related variables oc-
culture, ethnicity, and race are used as explanatory factors cupies at best a secondary place in American (main-
for intergroup differences in psychological phenomena are stream) psychology. It appears to be the domain of cross-
discussed. Second, ways in which to study culture in cultural psychology and is often associated with the rep-
mainstream psychology and to enhance hypothesis testing lication of findings in some remote or exotic part of the
and theory in cross-cultural psychology are illustrated. Fi- world. In the United States, it is often associated with the
nally, the importance of examining sociocultural variables study of ethnic minorities, which is as segregated from
and considering theory in ethnic minority research is ad- mainstream psychology (see Graham, 1992) as is cross-
dressed. In general, it is proposed that by including theory, cultural research. There seems to be a widespread as-
conceptualizing, and measuring cultural and related vari- sumption that the study of culture or ethnicity contributes
ables, mainstream, cross-cultural, and ethnic research can little to the understanding of basic psychological processes
advance the understanding of culture in psychology as well or to the practice of psychology in the United States.
as the generality of principles and the cultural sensitivity The general purpose of this article is to share some
of applications. of our preoccupations and views concerning the status of
the study of culture and related concepts, such as race
and ethnicity, in psychology. Our main concern is that
C
whereas mainstream investigators do not consider culture
ulture and its significant role in human behavior
in their research and theories, cross-cultural researchers
have been recognized for many years, as far back
who study cultural differences frequently fail to identify
as Hippocrates from the classical Greek era (see
the specific aspects of culture and related variables that
Dona, 1991) as well as near the beginning of psychology
are thought to influence behavior. Consequently, we learn
as a discipline (Wundt, 1921). More recently, a number
that cultural group, race, or ethnicity may be related to
of authors have questioned the cross-cultural generaliz-
a given psychological phenomenon, but we learn little
ability of psychological theories (e.g., Amir & Sharon,
about the specific elements of these group variables that
1987; Bond, 1988; Pepitone & Triandis, 1987), some ar-
contribute to the proposed relationship. The limited
guing for the inclusion of culture in psychological theories
specificity of this research impedes our understanding of
(e.g., Harkness, 1980; Rokeach, 1979; Smith, 1979;
the behavior of a group or groups. In addition, it serves
Triandis, 1989). An abundant literature demonstrates
to limit the delineation of more universal processes that
cultural variations in many areas of psychology that can
cut across cultural, ethnic, and racial groups. In this ar-
guide such theoretical efforts (see handbooks edited by
ticle, we promote the study of culture. This is not to say
Triandis et al., 1980, and by Munroe, Munroe, & Whit-
that culture is the single most important variable in psy-
ing, 1981; see also Berman, 1990). Most recently, the need
chology. It is one of many factors that contribute to the
to study culture in psychology was highlighted in an
complexities of psychological processes, and it is obviously
American Psychological Association (APA) report on ed-
important to the understanding of culturally diverse pop-
ucation (McGovern, Furumoto, Halpern, Kimble, &
McKeachie, 1991). Because of the changing demographics
in the nation as well as in the student population, Hector Betancourt, Department of Psychology, Loma Linda University
McGovern et al. indicated that an "important social and and La Sierra University; Steven Regeser Lopez, Department of Psy-
ethical responsibility of faculty members is to promote chology, University of California, Los Angeles.
their students' understanding of gender, race, ethnicity, Walter J. Lonner served as action editor for this article.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to
culture, and class issues in psychological theory, research, Hector Betancourt, Department of Psychology, Loma Linda University,
and practice" (p. 602). Riverside, CA 92515.