What can you learn about humans by studying Americans?

Assuming that conclusions based on research involving Western (and mostly American) subjects can lead to a fundamental, universal understanding of human nature is a major mistake made by anthropologists and psychologists, according to this new analysis.

"Given the data, they concluded that social scientists could not possibly have picked a worse population from which to draw broad generalizations. Researchers had been doing the equivalent of studying penguins while believing that they were learning insights applicable to all birds."

We Aren't The World

18.Mar.2013 Categories: Science & Philosophy
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