Polycultural Psychology

Posted: 9 Jan 2015

See all articles by Michael Morris

Michael Morris

Columbia University - Columbia Business School, Management

Chi-yue Chiu

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - Department of Psychology

Zhi Li

Columbia University - Columbia Business School

Date Written: January 2015

Abstract

We review limitations of the traditional paradigm for cultural research and propose an alternative framework, polyculturalism. Polyculturalism assumes that individuals' relationships to cultures are not categorical but rather are partial and plural; it also assumes that cultural traditions are not independent, sui generis lineages but rather are interacting systems. Individuals take influences from multiple cultures and thereby become conduits through which cultures can affect each other. Past literatures on the influence of multiple cultural identities and cultural knowledge legacies can be better understood within a polyculturalist rubric. Likewise, the concept elucidates how cultures are changed by contact with other cultures, enabling richer psychological theories of intercultural influence. Different scientific paradigms about culture imply different ideologies and policies; polyculturalism's implied policy of interculturalism provides a valuable complement to the traditional policy frames of multiculturalism and colorblindness.

Suggested Citation

Morris, Michael W. and Chiu, Chi-yue and Li, Zhi, Polycultural Psychology (January 2015). Annual Review of Psychology, Vol. 66, pp. 631-659, 2015, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2547470 or http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-010814-015001

Michael W. Morris (Contact Author)

Columbia University - Columbia Business School, Management ( email )

3022 Broadway
New York, NY 10027
United States
212-854-2296 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www.michaelwmorris.com

Chi-yue Chiu

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - Department of Psychology ( email )

603 East Daniel
Champaign, IL 61820
United States
217-265-5352 (Phone)

Zhi Li

Columbia University - Columbia Business School ( email )

3022 Broadway
New York, NY 10027
United States

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