How is ethnography defined in social psychology?

Ethnography in social psychology is defined as a method to understand a culture by immersing within it. This approach involves researchers directly engaging with the community being studied, allowing them to gather deep insights into everyday practices, beliefs, and behaviors from the perspective of the participants. By participating in the cultural context, researchers can build rapport and access nuanced information that might be overlooked through other methods, such as surveys or detached observations.

This immersive approach contrasts with the idea of observing cultures from a distance, which can lead to superficial or biased interpretations. Ethnography emphasizes the importance of context and the subjective experiences of individuals within their social environments, helping to paint a more comprehensive picture of behavioral patterns and cultural phenomena. It allows for a qualitative understanding that helps identify social norms, values, and dynamics, which are fundamental aspects of social psychology.