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A Japanese phobia called taijin kyofusho is characterized by an intense dread of embarrassing others. This condition does not exist in Western cultures. This demonstrates ________.

a) Cultural relativity
b) Cultural universality
c) Cultural specificity
d) Cultural generalization

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Final answer:

The concept taijin kyofusho demonstrates cultural specificity, which reflects psychological conditions unique to certain cultures. Other concepts such as xenophobia describe the intense fear or dislike of foreign cultures, and ethnocentrism denotes the belief in one's cultural superiority.

Step-by-step explanation:

The condition where a Japanese individual experiences an intense fear of embarrassing others, known as taijin kyofusho, reflects cultural specificity. This concept underlines how certain psychological conditions or behaviors are unique to, or highly prevalent in, specific cultures. Taijin kyofusho does not exist in Western cultures, showing that certain psychological issues are understood and experienced differently across cultures due to cultural beliefs, values, and practices.

The irrational fear or hatred of another culture is known as xenophobia, whereas the belief that one's own culture is inferior to another's is not explicitly listed among the available options. However, brightlining the specifics, the belief in the superiority of one's own culture is known as ethnocentrism.

Culture-bound syndromes, such as taijin kyofusho and susto, are indicative of how cultural context shapes the understanding and manifestation of mental health conditions. Cultural syndromes like these showcase the need for cultural relativity in psychological assessment and understanding, as they highlight the intricate ways in which culture and mental health are interwoven.

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