However, cross-cultural psychology states some differences that connect patterns in behavior as a universal construct within human nature. According to research, "Cross-cultural psychology is the study of similarities and differences in the individual psychological functioning in various cultural and ethnic groups; of the relationships between psychological variables and socio-cultural, ecological, and biological variables; and of current changes in these variables," (Berry et al
Culture is one of the dominating forces within the human mind. Yet, cross cultural psychology thought posits the idea that although cultures are so diverse, we can compare them and pick out common patterns seen in various cultural entities, "Our social world consists of simple, obvious, separate, fixed factors that transcend time and place, and are readily practiced and comprehended by large masses of people," (Ratner: 31)
On the other hand, when individuals retain strong ties to their community of origin via language and other core elements of culture, outcomes will be stronger. The "melting pot" ideal may not be psychologically beneficial to all parties, as a strong alignment to one's culture(s) of origin mitigates some of the stress that may accompany the experience of migration and assimilation (Borrows, et al
Cross-cultural psychological research predominantly relies on research designs and methods that can be readily quantified, as with the use of the Pacific Islands Family Study. Furthermore, the methods used by cross-cultural psychologists in their research include the use of established tools or "standardized tests and measures," (Ratner, 2011, p