In addition to their regular academic assignments and various scholarly activities, associates of the Center have conducted research in many areas, both in other countries and among various ethnic groups in the United States. Examples of culture-related research they have conducted over the years include the following:

• cognition and memory

• concepts of mental health and healing among ethnic minorities in the U.S.

• attitudes toward population control in different countries

• television's influence on the developing world

• risk judgment and assessment in various countries

• psychological testing and assessment

• perspectives on measuring dimensions of personality

• delivering mental health services to indigenous peoples

• assessing the efficacy of cross-cultural counseling

• patterns of drug and alcohol abuse among Native Americans

• stereotypes, prejudice, attitudes, and their measurement

• anxiety, depression, and related conditions

• psychological effects of natural disasters

Associates of the Center have spent significant periods of time in countries throughout the world, often on sabbatical leaves or supported by special grants such as Fulbright awards. Several associates of the Center are members of the International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology (IACCP) and have been officers in that association. The Center played an important part in the creation of IACCP in 1972. Primarily through its historical connection with the Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, it has been closely tied to that organization of some 700 psychologists from about 75 countries. In 1998 the Center hosted the 14th International Congress of IACCP, which was also the association's Silver Jubilee conference. Separate information about IACCP, including its publications and how to join at both regular and attractive student rates,can be found at the IACCP website.

Associates of the Center serve in many professional capacities, both cross-cultural and otherwise. For instance, they serve on the editorial boards of various journals and as authors, editors, or contributors to books; as experts in site visitations for research projects; as invited speakers at regional, national, and international conferences; as officers and members of the boards in professional associations, and as external examiners for doctoral students in other countries.

The Center sponsors varied scholarly activities that are of general interest to students and faculty in psychology and other departments. For instance, through resources made possible by the Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, the Center brings in scholars and researchers who participate in the Center's Invited Visiting Speakers and Symposia Series. This series features scholars, both from the United States and abroad, who are involved in research and scholarship that is consistent with the Center's activities and ongoing interests. The series is designed to benefit both faculty and students.

The Center has hosted a number of psychologists with cross-cultural interests, choosing Western Washington University and the Center for various professional and personal reasons. Such persons are usually provided office space and adequate assistance and secretarial support from Department of Psychology resources. Normally it is not possible to offer financial assistance to visitors. Rather, visiting scholars are expected to provide their own financial resources through their home universities or agencies. Teaching is also possible, but usually in the form of guest lectures. Visitors frequently present symposia or otherwise interact with faculty and students. It is also possible to arrange faculty exchanges. Interested faculty should contact either George Cvetkovich, Interim Director of the Center, or Dale Dinnel, Chair of the Psychology Department, for further details about the different ways in which visiting the Center may be arranged.

Above image: Western Washington University campus.

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