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Guiding Questions: Cognition Pillar

These guiding questions can be used to stimulate class discussion, encourage students to deepen their understanding of core concepts, and cultivate a culturally informed perspective to the study of psychology. After each question are bullet points related to the topic that teachers can consider, prompt for, or share with the class post-discussion.

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Relevant points for teachers to consider:

  • Culture plays a significant role in shaping how individuals perceive and interpret sensory information. This is because cultural background influences an individual’s beliefs, values, and experiences, which in turn affect their perception of the world around them.
    • For example, studies have found that individuals from collectivistic cultures, such as those found in East Asia, tend to focus more on the context and background of a situation, whereas individuals from individualistic cultures, such as those found in North America, tend to focus more on the foreground and main objects in a scene. This difference in perception reflects different cultural values: collectivistic cultures place greater emphasis on group harmony and interdependence, while individualistic cultures emphasize autonomy and personal achievement (Winerman, 2006).
  • With different cultures often come different languages, and languages can describe sensory experiences in different ways, thereby altering perception.
  • Social norms can alter perceptions. For example, some cultures define high volume noises as unacceptable while others encourage them; consider the difficulty in operationally defining “loud.”

Additional resources:

Relevant points for teachers to consider:

  • These different identities can influence an individual’s perspective on what constitutes intelligence and how it is valued within their community or society.
  • Societal norms and expectations often center around the values and experiences of dominant groups, which can lead to a narrow definition of intelligence that excludes other forms of knowledge or expertise.
  • An individual’s personal experiences can also shape their definition and understanding of intelligence. For instance, someone who excels in creative arts may value artistic intelligence more highly than someone who excels in mathematics or science. Similarly, an individual who has faced significant adversity or discrimination may value resilience and adaptability as important components of intelligence.

Additional resources:

Relevant points for teachers to consider:

  • Exposure to diverse perspectives and experiences can broaden a person’s knowledge base and understanding of the world, which can enhance their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. When people are exposed to different ideas and viewpoints, they are forced to think critically and consider alternative perspectives, which can help them develop more nuanced and complex ways of thinking.
  • Exposure to diverse perspectives and experiences can enhance a person’s creativity and innovation. When people are exposed to different cultures, ways of thinking, and experiences, they are more likely to develop unique and innovative ideas that can contribute to their overall intelligence.
  • When people are exposed to different cultures and experiences, they are more likely to develop empathy and understanding, which can help them communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.

Additional resources:

Date created: October 2023

Authorship credit

The development of resources to broaden diversity and representation in the teaching of high school psychology resources is an APA Committee of Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools initiative supported by funding from the American Psychological Foundation David and Carol Myers Fund. This resource was developed by Eric Castro, Shawn C.T. Jones, PhD, Allyn Olsen, and Catherine Sanderson, PhD.