ABSTRACT
Cultural psychology provides perspective by which to consider the social dynamics of worldviews (WV) with respect to psychology. Modern psychologists might object that Buddhist and Christian approaches to the self are importing metaphysical assumptions into their conceptions, but that is just the point. Since WV assumptions are comprised of and reflect the deepest and most influential human beliefs, they merit inclusion in psychological research and discourse. WVs exist as objects of psychological study in their own right, as a subcategory of cognitive phenomena operating in relation to the rest of human beliefs and other cognitive phenomena. Psychological phenomena closer to the lived world tend to be more affected by cultural differences; making direct comparisons between cultures more difficult. In light of the foregoing, consideration should be given to how WV assumptions get passed on from one generation to another through the socialization processes of graduate education and becoming a member of the disciplinary guild, conveyed mostly indirectly and implicitly.
