Knowledge Tree
Richard Shweder
Facts (10)
Sources
The cross-cultural study of mind and behaviour: a word of caution link.springer.com Apr 8, 2022 10 facts
claimRichard Shweder claims that the distinction between culture and psyche can no longer be sustained because culture and psychology are irretrievably enmeshed in all human beings.
claimRichard Shweder and his collaborators define the discipline of 'cultural psychology' as the study of the ways in which basic human emotions and psychological dispositions are experienced differently in different cultural settings.
perspectiveRichard Shweder argues that parents should be permitted to perform minor alterations to their children's genitals without consent, citing male circumcision among Jewish people as an example, provided the alterations do not affect basic biological functioning.
perspectiveRichard Shweder argues that humans are more psychologically different from each other than previously thought, rather than being culturally similar.
claimRichard Shweder argues that consequential body modifications should be permitted for adults who provide free consent.
claimRichard Shweder and his collaborators challenge the principle of the 'psychic unity of mankind,' which posits that human psychological characteristics are innate and unchangeable.
claimRichard Shweder labels Western feminists and others who criticize cultural practices like female genital mutilation as 'imperial liberals.'
claimRichard Shweder posits that culture influences how humans feel, perceive, and experience the world in the deepest psychological sense.
perspectiveRichard Shweder argues that female genital mutilation (FGM), as practiced in most African societies, is biologically harmless and does not negatively affect women's health or sexual pleasure compared to other ordinary conditions they experience.
claimAmerican anthropologist Richard Shweder and his associates conducted research on the genital mutilation of young girls in some African countries.