Are Social Psychological Laws Cross-Culturally Valid?

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reproducibility of social psychological findings across cultures and subcultures in order to evaluate the cross-cultural validity of empirically based social psychological laws. Six studies were sampled from four major social psychological journals. Each study was replicated on two Israeli samples, one similar to that of the original study and the other differing in some respect. Results indicate that those original findings that were replicated primarily involved main effects. Interactions were generally not replicated. Those interactions that proved significant were usually in directions different from those obtained in the original studies. These findings indicate the necessity for replications on both cross-cultural and intracultural levels. Methodological aspects of such studies are discussed.