The Cultural Anthropological Perspective

The following chapter presents the cultural anthropological perspective in cultural psychology by highlighting fundamental differences in theory (cultural relativism) and method (participant observation). Historically, both disciplines have developed in close connection with each other. Cultural psychology and cultural anthropology have laid a common foundation through psychological anthropology, on which a semiotic cultural theory has been built and gained importance in terms of intentions and symbols. The theoretical and methodological approach of a psychological anthropology/cultural psychology is presented using the example of the cultural analysis of feelings of shame in India.