Emic approach
Comprehensive study guide for IB Psychology
Study Notes
Mark Scheme
SECTION A MARK SCHEME (4 marks) Must Include: • Emic: insider perspective, culturally specific meanings • Flexible, culturally adapted understanding • Contrast with etic (outsider, universal) approach • Imposed etic: applying etic framework inappropriately • Named example (e.g. intelligence testing, culture-bound syndromes) • Show how emic reveals what etic misses • Explicit link to cultural specificity
Link Formula: "The [etic tool/measure] assumes universality, but [emic meaning] in [culture] differs, showing [concept] is culturally constructed, not universal."
Watch Out: Don't present emic and etic as equally valid opposites—both are necessary. The problem is imposed etic.
SECTION B MARK SCHEME (6 marks) 0 marks: No relevant knowledge. 1–2 marks: Basic definition; minimal application. 3–4 marks: Emic/etic distinction described; partial application. 5–6 marks: Emic/etic distinction correctly framed (insider vs. outsider; culturally specific vs. universal); intelligence example contrasts Western IQ tests with indigenous definitions concretely; "imposed etic" is the exact required term for the methodological critique; explicit application to scenario.
Why Full Marks
Emic/etic distinction correctly framed (insider vs. outsider; culturally specific vs. universal); intelligence example contrasts Western IQ tests with indigenous definitions concretely; "imposed etic" is the exact required term for the methodological critique.
Model Answer
Section A Sample Answer
An Etic approach studies behavior from an outsider's perspective, seeking universals across cultures. An Emic approach studies behavior from an insider's perspective, focusing on culturally specific meanings.
An example is the study of intelligence. An etic approach might use a standardized Western IQ test universally. However, emic research shows that indigenous cultures may define intelligence as social wisdom or botanical knowledge. This demonstrates the methodological importance of considering cultural context to avoid an "imposed etic" that misrepresents behavior.
Section B Sample Answer
An etic approach studies behavior from an outsider's perspective to find universal rules, using standardized tasks across cultures. While this identifies the "20% increase," it ignores emic (culture-specific) factors. This demonstrates the etic approach because it allows for broad comparison of the hub's effectiveness, but it fails to capture emic factors—such as cultural norms around individual study or attitudes toward technology—that explain why certain groups find the environment culturally incongruent.