توجهات في علم النفس لدراسة الأسس الثقافية للمعرفة و السلوك : مدخل لدراسة هذه الأسس في السياق العربي

الملخص EN

Objectives : as an initial step in the efforts to strengthen the relation between psychology and culture in the Arab World, the present paper sought the fo llowing objectives : (a) to shed light on the cultural foundations of human be havior and cognition in view of recent research in the field of psychology and culture; (b) to provide a comparative review of the three main approaches that emerged in the field, namely : cross-cultural psychology, cultural psychology and indigenous psychology; (c) to explore the current status of psychological research in the Arab World in relation to Arab culture; (d) to review examples of cross-cultural and cultural studies, including Arab samples, in central areas in the domain of culture and psychology.

methodology : the present paper is based on a literature review of research in the field of psychology and culture related to the study objectives.

results : there is compelling evidence that cultural factors profoundly affect human behavior and cognition; the three main approaches to the study of psychology and culture represent a paradigm shift by introducing culture as an essential element in psychological research.

With respect to psy chological research in the Arab World, there seems to be a kind of consensus among experienced academicians that this research lacks the aspired connection to Arab culture and to pressing social issues in Arab societies.

the cross-cultural and cultural studies reviewed, reveal some common elements between Arab cul ture and East Asian culture, on the one hand, and western culture on the other.

conclusion : the recent focus on culture in psychological research has led to a shift in theorizing about the forces that shape humans psychologically.

in view of this expanding knowledge, perhaps gaining awareness of the constructive, as well as the destructive elements in Arab culture might lead to achievements comparable to those of highly achieving cultures of the East and West.