Culture is defined as a group of similar values, goals, perspectives, ideas, and traditions shared by a certain group of people. The human race is diverse and varied, filled with many cultures. There are many differences in these cultures and because of these differences; the definition of normal differs from culture to culture. It makes sense that diagnoses of psychopathological disorders vary across cultures. However, some things will not change because, fundamentally, we all still belong to the same species. Consider the typical division between East and West. Research has shown that people from Western cultures think differently than people from Eastern cultures. Westerners tend to think of themselves as individuals. In comparison, people from East Asian cultures tend to view themselves as part of a whole and as an interdependent person within the community. This is reflected in their vision of the world, while Westerners tend to see the essential in the smallest details; people from the East are more likely to perceive the full dynamics of the whole situation (Goldberg, 2008). It can be said that they think differently because of the culture in which they are immersed. An experiment was carried out to determine how 8 year old children were able to solve puzzles. This experiment was carried out with American and Asian children. Americans performed better on puzzles they chose, while Asians performed better on puzzles chosen by their mothers. This reflects the different thought processes between the two cultures. Americans were more independent and comfortable choosing their own puzzles, while Asians believed their mothers knew what was best for them (Goldberg, 2008). The goal of the experiment was to...... middle of paper ......izations in the world's many cultures.ReferencesPsychological medicine. (nd). Changi General Hospital. Retrieved April 1, 2012 from www.cgh.com.sg/Medical_Specialities/Medical_Services/Pages/psychological.aspxhttp://Goldberg, C. (nd). East-West Differences Discovered in People's Brain Activity - The Tech. The Tech - MIT's oldest and largest newspaper. Retrieved April 1, 2012 from http://tech.mit.edu/V128/N9/culture.html Juris G. Draguns (1986): Culture and psychopathology: what do we know about their relationship?, Australian Journal of Psychology, 38: 3, 329-338Braun, FK, Fine, ES, Greif, DC and Devenny, JM (2010). Guidelines for multicultural assessment: An Indian-Asian American case study. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 38(3), 130-141. http://search.proquest.com/docview/610013358?accountid=16285