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Tayebeh Ourtani

Tayebeh

PhD Student

Email: t.ourtani@qmul.ac.uk

Profile

Project Title: The Impact of Cultural Differences on Cognitive and (un) Conscious Processes: Investigating the Role of Thinking Styles and Selective Attention in Object-oriented vs Context-oriented

Summary: The research aims to investigate the role of cultural differences in cognitive processes, specifically focusing on thinking styles and selective attention. It recognizes that cultural beliefs and practices shape individuals' perception and interpretation of the world, influencing cognitive processes such as attention, memory, reasoning, and decision-making. The study seeks to understand how cultural factors impact cognition and emphasizes the importance of considering cultural context when analyzing human behaviour.                            

In this research, nationality is used as a proxy of culture, and three countries, including the UK, Chile, and South Korea, are chosen as they vary according to these four core value dimensions, including Individualism- Collectivism, Cognitivism- Emotionalism, Free will- determinism, Materialism- Spiritualism. The study will examine how cultural differences predict differences in visual attention, taking into account various dimensions such as attentional focus, attentional style, and attentional biases. It acknowledges that some cultures may prioritize a more holistic attentional focus, emphasizing the context and interrelationships among elements.

In contrast, others may prioritize an analytic attentional focus, focusing on individual components and their specific attributes. The research aims to provide valuable insights into how cultural variations influence cognitive processes by unravelling the complexities of culture-cognition dynamics. This understanding can contribute to a more inclusive and nuanced understanding of human behaviour in diverse cultural contexts.

Ultimately, the findings from this study can enhance our knowledge of the relationship between culture and cognition and its impact on everyday experiences and interactions.

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