Course name: Cultural Psychology

Student name: Bakhodir Alayorov

Student number: 12194850

Final exam
Question 1: Evaluate the basic difference of viewing psychology as a physical science,
biological science, and humanities science.

In order to assess the key distinctions between seeing psychology as a biological, physical, or
humanistic science, it is necessary to investigate the distinct viewpoints and research approaches
that are used in each discipline.

Psychology as a Physical Science: The physical sciences, which also include chemistry, physics,
and astronomy, aim to apply scientific methods to gain an understanding of the natural world. To
understand natural processes, they often rely on empirical evidence, experimental results, and
mathematical analysis. For example, although Newtonian physics provides a mechanical
explanation of the world we live in, chemistry uses the study of basic elements to explain how
complex objects form and develop. If psychology were to be regarded as a physical science, it
would have to place an equal emphasis on empirical data and objective measurement,
concentrating on the observable and quantifiable components of mental processes and human
behavior.

An comprehension of many different living forms and a physiological base are provided by
psychology and other biological sciences. From a psychological perspective, mental and
behavioral processes have biological roots. It investigates the effects of biological elements on
behavior and mental processes, including neurochemistry, genetics, and brain function. This
method focuses more on the physiological and biological foundations of psychology.

The perspective that psychology is a humanities discipline is recognized by the cultural sciences
tradition. It places a great emphasis on transforming oneself, one's surroundings, and other
people. In contrast to the physical and biological sciences, which place more emphasis on the
objective and detached viewpoint, psychology, as a humanities study, stresses the subjective
experience. Agency, meaning, intention, and first-, second-, and third-person perspectives on
human behavior are all covered.

This method emphasizes the value of discourse analysis, conversation, and communication while
acknowledging people as change agents, the subject, and the object of the study.
In conclusion, the humanities discipline of psychology emphasizes the subjective experience,
agency, and complex interactions between individuals within their cultural and social
environments, whereas the physical and biological sciences concentrate on objective
measurement, empirical data, and biological underpinnings.

Question 2: How did humans overcome our basic instinct to survive through creativity
and innovations and using wood, stones and clay.

Though not originally endowed with the physical prowess to rule in the wild, humans have
astonishingly surpassed basic survival instincts via the skillful use of creativity and ingenuity. I'll
explain how prehistoric people used wood, stone, and clay as natural resources to build
civilization and to survive.

Because they were a physically inferior species, humans were constantly vulnerable to predators.
However, they were adept at controlling their surroundings. Their interactions with fire were the
first indication of this. Although fire terrifies most animals by nature, early humans learned to
manage it and used it for warmth, cooking, and defense. Since it made it possible to significantly
improve survival and nourishment, the ability to regulate fire was a major breakthrough in
human history.

Moreover, fire was a major factor in the transformation of natural resources. Humans learned
how to form amorphous materials like clay with fire and forge metal. The ability to create
artifacts from raw materials was a crucial step in the history of human societies. Fire could turn
clay into pottery, which is needed to transport water and store food. Similarly, humans gained an
edge over other human groups and predators when they fashioned metals into tools and weapons.

Among the first materials that people utilized to make tools and shelter were wood and stone.
Wood was utilized for building dwellings, making hunting equipment, and even making the
earliest boats and rafts, which were employed as means of transportation, due to their
adaptability. However, stone was fashioned into swords and other pointed implements. In
addition to making hunting and gathering easier, these tools also made it possible to create more
intricate structures and prepare meals.
The way these materials are used reflects the growth of human consciousness and cognitive
capacities. Humans were different from other animals in that they could imagine and create
things that did not exist in the natural world. A defining feature of human development is our
capacity for reflection and creation. It symbolizes the change from merely living to creating a
culture and a civilization.

Humans have used their creativity to interact creatively with other living things in addition to
working with inanimate items. One notable achievement was the domestication of animals,
including pigs, chickens, and cows. It created agricultural groups and a steady supply of food.
Domestication not only served as a survival strategy but also demonstrated that humans are
capable of empathy, thinking, and peaceful coexistence with other creatures.

The ability of humans to use creativity and invention to overcome basic survival inclinations sets
us apart from other species in the evolutionary process. By employing resources like wood,
stones, and clay, the first humans were able to both defend themselves from predators and set the
foundation for future generations. In addition to the human intellect's ability, these resources
allowed societies and civilizations to flourish rather than just survive. This transformative event
brings to light the essential elements of what it is to be human.

Question 3: How did the hunting and gathering tribes overcome their basic instinct and
used creativity and innovation to adapt to the environment and survive.

In order to comprehend the evolution of humans, there has been a great deal of interest in the
survival of early human societies, especially hunting and gathering tribes. These early humans
were able to adapt and live in harsh surroundings despite their natural preferences and physical
constraints. This essay explores the manner in which hunting and gathering societies used
ingenuity and innovation to overcome their innate tendencies to adapt and survive.

According to Darwinian theory, humans' ability to adapt to their surroundings has allowed them
to evolve and persist as a species. This adaptation came about in the interim as a result of both
innate and physiological tendencies as well as human capacity to regulate them. Over the past
7,000 years, there have been changes in culture, but there haven't been any notable changes in
human biology or genetics. This suggests that cultural processes that have taken place and are
documented outside of a single human's physical body are outside the scope of biology. Over the
last seven millennia, significant cultural shifts have altered how humans perceive and interact
with their surroundings.

Humans have to be able to use the environment and available resources in order to live. Early
humans' delicate physical state left them open to attack from animals. They acquired the skill of
self-defense against the most important natural weapon—fire. Despite their innate fear of fire,
people have learnt to use it to their advantage in order to survive. Their ability to cook food was
made possible by their understanding of fire, which expanded their food options. Furthermore,
the use of fire made it possible to fashion iron and clay into weapons, homes, tools, and cups.
An example of how imaginative and reflective prehistoric humans were shown they could create
something unrelated to the natural environment is the ability to mold amorphous clay into
ordered shapes.

One prominent instance of human ingenuity and flexibility is the domestication of animals.
Animals such as cows, pigs, and chickens became reliable sources of food once they were
domesticated by early humans. Because of humans' capacity to domesticate and control animals,
predators' innate propensity was changed into partnerships in which animals served as human
mentors, protectors, and companions. This shift allowed for a steady supply of food, which was
essential to the growth of agricultural society.

Hunting and gathering tribes overcame innate tendencies and survived by adapting to their
surroundings via creativity and resourcefulness. Both major cultural shifts and physiological
changes contributed to this adaptability. Early humans showed an amazing degree of ingenuity
and imagination by domesticating animals and using elements found in nature, such as fire. This
ability was crucial to their continued existence and the development of human society.

Question 4: Evaluate Albert Bandura’s moral disengagement theory and how Korean
results on delinquency and school violence achievement support his theory.

The theory of moral disengagement put out by Albert Bandura provides a framework for
comprehending the ways in which individuals justify immoral actions. This idea is especially
pertinent in light of the rising rates of delinquency and violence in schools in Korean society. In
order to assess Bandura's thesis, this study looks at how Korean social and educational processes
either confirm or contradict key concepts in his theory.

According to Bandura's concept, people "disconnect" their moral self-sanctions from their
destructive action, which leads to moral disengagement. This detachment promotes people to act
contrary to their moral convictions by making it easier for them to do damaging things without
feeling guilty about it. It includes dehumanization, assigning blame, shifting chores, distributing
responsibilities, labeling with euphemisms, moral defense, making positive analogies, and
downplaying or manipulating the consequences.

The demanding educational system and intense academic pressure in Korea have been associated
with rising rates of violence, crime, and school rejection. Young people are under a lot of
pressure to perform well in school, and when they don't, they frequently act out in delinquent
ways. Because of the intense stress and strict structure, this circumstance may cause moral
disengagement. Students may use the unfair system as an excuse for their strange behavior. But
the textbook makes no clear connection between these actions and Bandura's theory.
By contrasting and comparing Korean and American views on childrearing, more context is
given. Parental supervision is often seen by Korean youngsters as an expression of love and care
rather than as something to be burdened with. This perspective is associated with decreased
delinquency rates among Korean students, indicating a cultural setting where moral involvement
is fostered by close family relationships and deference to authority. This research suggests that
parental authority in the Korean context is linked to favorable results rather than unfavorable
ones, suggesting that the family acts as a safeguard against moral disengagement.

Bandura's theory of moral disengagement provides an insightful analysis of delinquency and

school violence, but its applicability in the Korean context is not obvious. The strict educational
system may create a tendency toward moral detachment, but strong family values and respect for
parental authority seem to counteract that trend. Because of this, although if Bandura's theory is
supported by many features of Korean society, especially in regards to the educational system,
cultural and family standards act as a check on Korean youths' moral involvement.

Question 5: Evaluate Korean economic growth and how it is different from the USA model
of focusing on individualism and competition.

The economic growth trajectory of Korea offers a distinctive case study that stands in stark
contrast to the individualistic and competitive American model. This article assesses the ways in
which Korea's economic growth differs from that of the United States and highlights its unique
features.
The economic growth patterns of Korea and the United States differ greatly, especially when it
comes to cultural values and the importance of education. Although Korea has embraced
commerce and industrialization, it hasn't abandoned its traditional values, which place a high
emphasis on interconnectedness and social connection. Individualism and rivalry, on the other
hand, are more prevalent in the US.

In Korea, admission to schools is highly difficult, and the ability to acquire scientific and
technological information is a crucial measure of success. Community and cooperation are
highly valued in Korean culture, and education is highly regarded. Korea is able to grow quickly
without sacrificing its sense of social cohesiveness or cultural identity because it blends
traditional values with contemporary economic methods.
Korean Economic Transformation

South Korea underwent a dramatic economic metamorphosis in the latter half of the 20th
century. In 1965, it was primarily an agricultural society with low income levels, as evidenced by
its per capita Gross National Product (GNP) of just $82. The country also faced significant health
challenges, including high infant mortality rates. However, by 2004, South Korea had emerged
as a major player in the global economy, with its per capita GNP skyrocketing to $14,100 and
substantial improvements in public health outcomes, including a sharp decline in infant
mortality.

This economic miracle was characterized by sustained high growth rates, averaging over 8%
annually for several decades. While various factors contributed to this growth, the text
emphasizes the crucial role of education in driving Korea's economic success.

This remarkable growth, averaging over 8% annually, was largely driven by education. By 1985,
enrollment in middle and high schools had become nearly universal, creating a skilled workforce
that fueled economic expansion. Additional factors contributing to Korea's success included:

1. Export-oriented industrialization
2. The chaebol system of large family-owned conglomerates
3. Supportive government policies
4. Technological advancements
5. Cultural emphasis on education and determination

While facing challenges like income inequality and an aging population, South Korea's economic
miracle demonstrates the power of investing in human capital and strategic economic planning.
Cultural Values and Economic Growth

South Korea experienced a remarkable economic transformation from the mid-1960s to the early
2000s. Initially an agrarian society with a low per capita GNP of $82 and high infant mortality, it
evolved into a global economic force with a per capita GNP of $14,100 by 2004, alongside
significant improvements in public health.

This economic miracle, characterized by an average annual growth rate exceeding 8%, was
largely propelled by advancements in education. By 1985, middle and high school enrollment
had reached near-universal levels, creating a skilled workforce that drove economic progress.

While education played a crucial role, other factors contributed to South Korea's success:

1.Focus on export-oriented industries like electronics and automobiles

2. Government policies supporting industrial development and innovation
3. The rise of chaebols (large family-owned conglomerates) like Samsung and Hyundai
4. Heavy investment in research and development
5. Cultural emphasis on hard work and educational achievement

This rapid development also brought challenges, including income inequality and demographic
shifts. Nevertheless, South Korea's journey from a low-income nation to a technological and
economic powerhouse remains a compelling example of successful economic transformation.

Comparison with the US Model

The United States and South Korea represent contrasting approaches to economic development
and social organization. The US model emphasizes individualism, competition, and free-market
principles, with success often measured by personal accomplishments and entrepreneurial
achievements. This approach fosters innovation and individual initiative but can also lead to
significant social and economic disparities.
In contrast, South Korea has developed a unique economic paradigm that blends modern
economic practices with traditional values. This model emphasizes:

1. Community and collective progress

2. Collaboration alongside competition

3. A strong focus on education and academic excellence

4. Preservation of cultural identity during rapid modernization

5. Balance between economic growth and social cohesion

Korea's approach demonstrates that rapid economic development doesn't necessarily require
abandoning cultural values or social structures. Instead, it has successfully integrated aspects of
Western economic systems with its own cultural ideals of interconnectedness and communal
solidarity.

This hybrid model has several distinctive features:

- Strong government involvement in economic planning

- Close cooperation between government and business sectors

- Emphasis on export-oriented industries

- Heavy investment in education and human capital

- Maintenance of traditional social structures alongside modern economic practices

While adopting elements of capitalism and globalization, Korea has managed to preserve its
unique cultural identity and social fabric. This approach offers an alternative to the more
individualistic model prevalent in the United States, showing that economic success can be
achieved through different cultural and social frameworks.

However, it's important to note that both models have their strengths and challenges. The Korean
model, while successful in many ways, also faces issues such as high stress levels in education,
work-life balance concerns, and potential limitations on individual expression.
Overall, Korea's economic journey provides valuable insights into alternative paths to
development, demonstrating the potential for countries to achieve rapid growth while
maintaining their cultural values and social cohesion.