Culture profoundly shapes who we are, how we perceive the world, and how we process information. It influences cognitive styles, such as holistic, analytic, intuitive, and reflective thinking, as well as visual-spatial attention and emotional well-being. However, the links between cultural context, cognitive processes, and mental health indicators like general anxiety remain underexplored. This study examines how cultural differences impact cognition and mental health.

We recruited 159 participants—53 each from Japan, the UK, and Chile—through online platforms. Participants completed tasks and questionnaires assessing visual-spatial attention using a change detection task. Cognitive and thinking styles, individualism-collectivism, and general anxiety were also measured using validated scales.

Preliminary findings reveal significant cultural differences in cognitive styles and visual-spatial attention. Participants from Japan, a culture emphasizing holistic thinking, exhibited distinct attention patterns compared to those from the UK and Chile, which favor analytic approaches. Additionally, individuals with intuitive cognitive styles were more prone to anxiety, whereas those with holistic and reflective thinking styles were less likely to experience anxiety. These findings suggest that cognitive styles influence susceptibility to mental health challenges.

These findings suggest the critical role of culture in shaping cognitive processes, worldviews, and mental well-being. They have implications for developing culturally tailored mental health interventions, inclusive educational tools, and UX design. Additionally, they inform policymakers to respect cultural diversity in their strategies.

Authors:
Tayebeh Ourtani, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom
Valdas Noreika, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom
Yuri Miyamoto, Hitotsubashi University, Japan
Pablo Sebastian Fossa Arcila, Universidad Del Desarrollo, Chile
Matias Javier Barros Esquenazi, Universidad del Desarrollo, Chile
Yuzuka Nakanishi, Hitotsubashi University, Japan

About the Presenter(s)
My name is Tayebeh Ourtani, and I am a PhD student at Queen Mary University of London. My research examines the relationship between culture and cognition, specifically how culture influences human cognition and mental health.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Thursday Schedule

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