Practise analysing how culture shapes relationship formation, maintenance and communication with IB Psychology HL questions and mark schemes.
Analyse the role that culture plays in the formation and maintenance of relationships.
Refer to the paper 2 assessment criteria when awarding marks.
The command term "analyse" requires candidates to bring out (emphasize) essential aspects of the role that culture plays in the formation and maintenance of relationships.
Candidates do not need to distinguish between the formation and maintenance of relationships, as the two are so closely linked.
Candidates may address different types of relationships, for example, romantic relationships, marriages, friendship, family relationships.
Responses may include, but are not limited to:
- the role of individualism versus collectivism. Individualistic cultures emphasize the relevance of individual choice and romantic love whereas collectivist cultures often emphasize arranged marriages
- the difference between continuous versus discontinuous cultures. Continuous societies show a concern for heritage and tradition, whereas discontinuous cultures focus on youth and progress, and change is seen as important and inevitable
- equity is not a universal value in relationships
- in some traditional cultures chastity and homemaking skills are more valued in women
- evolutionary theory suggests there are universal patterns in the formation and maintenance of relationships
- the role of cultural norms in the formation and maintenance of relationships.
Studies may include, but are not limited to:
- Yelsma and Athappilly's (1988) comparative study of arranged marriages and love marriages
- Buss et al.'s (1990) study of international preferences in selecting mates (a study of 37 cultures)
- Levine et al.'s (1995) study on the role of love in the establishment of marriage
- Buss's (1994) cross-cultural study of relationships
- Canary and Dainton's (2003) study of Korean relationships
- Ahmad and Reid's (2008) study of communication styles in arranged marriages.
Evidence of critical thinking may be provided by candidates in the following ways:
- a debate about universality
- comparing and contrasting cultural similarities and differences in relationships (for example, do social norms affect how appropriate it is to express dissatisfaction with a marriage)
- discussing interaction between biological and cultural factors
- evaluation of relevant research.
If a candidate provides a general response about formation and maintenance of relationships with no link to culture, the response should be awarded up to a maximum of [3] for criterion A, knowledge and comprehension, up to a maximum of [3] for criterion B, critical thinking, and up to a maximum of [2] for criterion C, organization.