Question

An approach in which culture is treated as the species-specific medium of human life within which people acquire and share symbolic meanings and practices that contribute to the development of psychological processes within a given cultural group.

a) Cross-cultural psychology
b) Cultural relativism
c) Cultural universality
d) Ethnocentrism

Answer 1

The student's question refers to cultural relativism, which is the anthropological concept that recognizes and respects the unique symbolic meanings, practices, and psychological developments within different cultural groups.

Step-by-step explanation:

The approach described in the question refers to the process of how individuals within a cultural group develop psychological processes through the acquisition and sharing of symbolic meanings and practices specific to their culture. This is best identified as cultural relativism, an anthropological concept that acknowledges the diverse ways in which cultures develop their systems of meaning. Cultural relativism highlights the importance of viewing cultural practices and beliefs from the perspective of the people within that culture, rather than through the lens of one's own culture (ethnocentrism).

Cultural relativism was introduced by Franz Boas to foster understanding and appreciation across different cultures. It is essential in anthropology to document and studying diverse cultural forms and promote respect for cultural variations without making hierarchical judgments about different cultural practices.