A psychological anthropologist studies how people interact with their culture. Cultural norms may shape psychology and perception, according to researchers in this field. They also investigate the impact of individuals on society in order to better understand how and why social changes occur. Some colleges and universities teach this discipline within the field of anthropology, particularly those with cultural anthropology programs rather than physical anthropology programs.
Individuals may internalize a variety of lessons from the people and places around them as they grow up in a particular culture. These lessons have the potential to influence how they think and act. Young women growing up in cultures where very thin women are considered beautiful, for example, may feel pressured to maintain a certain physical appearance. This stress may contribute to the onset of eating and exercise disorders, both of which are psychological conditions influenced social attitudes. An anthropologist who specializes in psychology can investigate how social pressures influence cognition.
Abnormal psychology can be studied in cultures all over the world members of this field. A psychological anthropologist might look at what behaviors are considered normal and abnormal in different cultures; for example, suicide is not as stigmatized in some places as it is in others. Psychological anthropologists can investigate how and why mental illnesses develop, as well as how people with mental illnesses are treated in their respective cultures. This field of study can also include a look at how different cultures react to mental illness or unusual behavior.
Psychological anthropologists can specialize in a number of different areas. They tend to specialize in specific regions or cultures in order to gain a thorough understanding of how these cultures function and interact with individuals. A specific interest in a phenomenon, such as early childhood psychology or the psychology of working men and women, may also exist. A psychological anthropologist can compare and contrast cross-cultural studies, evaluating differences in psychological development that may be caused cultural pressures.
Psychological anthropology research can aid in the development of more effective and appropriate mental health care. It can also benefit people who interact with people from different backgrounds or conduct business in different countries. For a manager or CEO working in Japan as a representative of a foreign country, for example, understanding the Japanese work ethic and psychology of Japanese workers is critical. Similarly, teachers working with students from all over the world may require training in early childhood development from a psychological anthropologist’s perspective in order to understand how to meet their students’ needs.