WEIRD Psychology and the Need for Cross-Cultural Research

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This chapter explores the concept of WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic) psychology and highlights the limitations of relying solely on research from WEIRD societies. It discusses the impact of cultural echoes and the acculturation process on second-generation immigrants, as well as the role of ethnic enclaves. The chapter also raises awareness about the need for cross-cultural research in psychology and suggests strategies to increase its prevalence.

Claims about human psychology and behaviour in top international journals are largely based on the WEIRDest people in the world. People from Western Educated Industrialised Rich Democratic - or WEIRD - societies are widely used as research subjects, but the assumption that they represent a universal human population may be vastly wrong, and skew psychological research. More cultural psychology could be the answer.