Cross-cultural Differences Research Articles

Developmental differences in children and adults' enforcement of explore versus exploit search strategies in the United States and Turkey.

Across development, as children acquire a deeper understanding of their environment, they explore less and take advantage, or "exploit," what they already know. Here, we test whether children also enforce exploration-oriented search behaviors onto others. Specifically, we ask whether children are more likely to encourage a search agent to explore versus exploit their environment, and whether this pattern varies across childhood (between 3 and 6 years). We also ask whether this pattern differs between children and adults, and generalizes across two different sociocultural contexts-Turkey and the United States-that differ on dimensions that might relate to children's decisions about exploration (e.g., curiosity-focused educational practices, attitudes toward uncertainty avoidance). Participants (N=358) watched an agent search for rewards and were asked at various points whether the agent should "stay" (exploit) in their current location, or "go" (explore) to a new location. At all points in the experiment, children enforced exploration significantly more often than adults. Early in the agent's search, children in the US enforced exploration more often than children in Turkey; later in the search, younger children (from both sociocultural contexts) were more likely to continue enforcing exploration compared to older children. These findings highlight that children are not only highly exploratory themselves, but also enforce exploration onto others-underscoring the central role that exploration plays in driving early cognitive development across diverse sociocultural contexts. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: The current study examined developmental and cross-cultural differences in children and adults' enforcement of explore-exploit search strategies. Children in the US and Turkey enforced exploration more than adults, who enforced exploitation more often; results were generally consistent across cultures with small differences. Mirroring developmental changes in children's own search behavior; the tendency to enforce exploration decreased between 3- to 6-years of age. Findings underscore the central role of an "exploration mindset" in children's early decision-making-even when exploration has no direct benefits to the child themselves.

The Unified Narcissism Scale-Revised: Testing Incremental Validity and Shortening the Measure

Narcissism has had a long history of conceptual and measurement confusion. In this paper, we aimed to assess the incremental and external validity of the Unified Narcissism Scale-Revised (UNS-R), and to determine a prototype short form of the measure that is invariant across cultures. In Study 1, we constructed a 15-item short form prototype that was scalar invariant across four countries (United States, China, Sri Lanka, and Australia). Using this short form, we found the Australian sample to be the most different from the other samples. We speculate this is due to Australia having a more horizontal culture, demonstrating resistance to hierarchy and a stronger endorsement of equality. In Study 2, we assessed the incremental and external validity of the UNS-R long and short form and found it to be a superior measure of grandiose narcissism in terms of strength and cogence of external correlations compared to existing measures, but the Five-Factor Narcissism Inventory-Short Form (FFNI-SF) was a better measure of vulnerable narcissism. In conclusion, we have illustrated the robustness of the UNS-R, and its short form, as a measure of narcissism and, in the process, highlighted important cross-cultural differences.

Overbidding and heterogeneous behavior in contest experiments:A meta-comment on cross-cultural differences

We revisit the analyses by Sheremeta (2013) and Chowdhury and Moffatt (2017), who pool experimental data from 30 Tullock contests to explain the phenomenon of overbidding. The authors find that the overbidding rate is positively related to the number of contestants and has an inverted U-shaped relationship with the relative endowment. We reuse their data and extend the analysis in the direction of cross-cultural differences, focusing on ethno-linguistic-religious fractionalization as a country-level measure. The results suggest an increased explanatory power of the model, with fractionalization negatively relating to overbidding. In addition, the extended model shows that in the one-shot game the overbidding rate is significantly higher than in the case of repeated interactions. We discuss possible interpretations of our findings.

The ambiguity of “true” in English, German, and Chinese

Through a series of empirical studies involving native speakers of English, German, and Chinese, this paper reveals that the predicate “true” is inherently ambiguous in the empirical domain. Truth statements such as “It is true that Tom is at the party” seem to be ambivalent between two readings. On the first reading, the statement means “Reality is such that Tom is at the party.” On the second reading, the statement means “According to what X believes, Tom is at the party.” While there appear to exist some cross-cultural differences in the interpretation of the statements, the overall findings robustly indicate that “true” has multiple meanings in the realm of empirical matters.

Sibling bullying and mental health in British and Turkish autistic children and adolescents: The role of social and emotional functioning

Nearly one in two autistic individuals is involved in sibling bullying, which is linked to increased mental health difficulties. Despite its high prevalence, only a handful of studies have focused on the relationship between sibling bullying and mental health in the autistic population. Of these, a vast majority of evidence comes from Western cultures while little is known about non-western cultures. For the first time, the current study investigated the cross-cultural variability in the prevalence and demographic and mental health correlates of sibling bullying between a Western (the United Kingdom) and non-western (Turkey) country. Parents of British (N = 289) and Turkish (N = 171) autistic individuals, aged 9–20 years, completed online questionnaires. Structural equation models were fitted to test the risk factors for behavioural and mental health correlates of sibling bullying. Overall, sibling bullying was highly prevalent in the lives of both British and Turkish autistic adolescents as more than two-thirds either bullied a sibling or were bullied by a sibling every week. While some potential risk factors for sibling bullying were present in both cultures (e.g., past sibling bullying experiences), some were culture-specific (e.g., having a male sibling (British), higher parental education (Turkish)). Consistent with previous reports, higher rates of sibling bullying were significantly correlated with poorer mental health in both British and Turkish samples. Additionally, sibling bullying was indirectly linked to mental health difficulties through detrimental social behaviours (British and Turkish) and emotion regulation (British-only) in autistic children and adolescents. There were no indirect correlations between sibling bullying and mental health through social skills in either sample. Implications of these findings as well as cross-cultural similarities and differences are discussed in more detail in light of the relevant cross-cultural psychological theory.

Socio-Cultural Factors Affecting the Use of Modern Family Planning Methods by Married Men in Omala Local Government Area, Kogi State, Nigeria

The use of contraceptives is one of the modern family planning methods across the globe, but not free of the influence of socio-cultural factors. Hence, this study examined the socio-cultural factors influencing the practice of family planning among married men in the Omala Local Government Area. The specific objectives of the study included ascertaining if married men in Omala LGA were aware of modern family planning methods, an investigation into the assessment and utilization of family planning methods, determining the perceived benefits of the practice of family planning methods, identifying the perceived hindrances to its usage and examined the strategies to improve on the practice of family planning among marked men in Omala LGA. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to test the research hypothesis. The theory of the Health Believe Model was used to buttress the study and by utilizing survey research design, a total of 306 copies of the questionnaire were distributed among the respondents of which 235 copies were completed and returned. The results showed that 51% of the married men in Omala LGA were not aware of modern family planning methods while 34% of the respondents had no access to the utilization of modern family planning methods. The results also revealed that the socio-cultural factors affecting modern family planning methods among married men in the study area were cross-cultural differences, religious beliefs and practices, gender roles, fertility desire and number of living children, childbearing practice, partner discussion and approval. It was found also that reduction in the economic and emotional burden of parenthood, improvements in maternal health and child survival etc were the perceived benefits of modern methods of Family Planning. It was also discovered that the perceived hindrances to the practice of family planning methods included lack of knowledge, limited supplies, high cost of contraceptives, cultural and personal objectives etc. The study further found that adequate sensitization programmes by both health workers and religious organisations should be carried out among their followers on the importance of family planning practice and thereby enhancing their reproductive health. The study concluded that there were significant socio-cultural factors influencing the practice of modern family planning methods in the study area and therefore recommended that the local government through healthcare centres should create awareness programmes as also suggested by the respondents on the use of modern family planning methods in the area.

Impact of Native Language on Musical Working Memory

Music and language share similar sound features and cognitive processes, which may lead to bidirectional transfer effects of training in one domain on the processing in the other domain. We investigated the impact of native language on musical working memory by comparing nontonal language (Finnish) speakers and tonal language (Chinese) speakers. For both language backgrounds, musicians and nonmusicians were recruited. In an experimenter-monitored online paradigm, participants performed a forward-memory task measuring the maintenance of musical sequences, and a backward-memory task measuring the manipulation of musical sequences. We found that maintenance of music sequences was facilitated in Chinese participants compared with Finnish participants, with musicians outperforming nonmusicians. However, performance in the backward-memory task did not differ between Chinese and Finnish participants, independently of music expertise. The presence or absence of tonal structure in the musical sequences did not affect the advantage of Chinese over Finnish participants in either maintenance or manipulation of the musical sequences. Overall, these findings suggest that Mandarin Chinese speakers have facilitated maintenance of musical sounds, compared with Finnish speakers, regardless of musical expertise and the presence of tonal structure. Our study furthers the understanding of language-to-music transfer and provides insights into cross-cultural differences in music cognition.

LEARNING AND RESEARCHING THE CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE LANGUAGE BY USING COLOR RELATED WORDS

This article delves into the intricate relationship between language and culture through the lens of color-related words. It provides an in-depth exploration of how different cultures perceive and articulate colors, uncovering the rich tapestry of meanings, associations, and symbolism embedded within linguistic expressions of color. Drawing on interdisciplinary research from linguistics, anthropology, psychology, and semiotics, the author examines how cultural norms, historical contexts, and societal factors influence the use and interpretation of color-related language. Through a systematic review of linguistic data and cultural artifacts, the article elucidates the diverse ways in which colors are conceptualized and employed across various linguistic communities. It sheds light on the cultural significance attached to specific colors, uncovering underlying narratives, beliefs, and rituals that shape color perception and usage. Furthermore, the article analyzes cross-cultural differences and similarities in color categorization, highlighting the role of language as a reflection of cultural values and worldview.

Unraveling the Cross-Cultural Differences in Online Expression of Social Anxiety in Online Support Communities.

Individuals suffering from social anxiety disorder (SAD) are increasingly turning to online support communities for self-disclosure and social support. Despite the extensive body of research on online mental health discourses, the cultural nuances within SAD-related discussions remain underexplored. In this study, we examine the cultural differences in online expression of social anxiety by analyzing individuals' self-disclosure and support-seeking behaviors in social media posts. Using two-week data (n = 1,681) from two SAD support communities on the Reddit and Douban groups, we used both qualitative thematic analysis and quantitative semantic analysis to discern prevalent themes and linguistic attributes characterizing these online expressions. Our findings not only uncover common themes such as sharing personal experiences and seeking mutual validations in both communities but also identify their divergences, as Western users primarily sought advice and information in posts, whereas Chinese users were more inclined toward networking. Cultural variations in language use were evident, particularly in individuals' affect and their expression of personal and social concerns. Western users were more likely to convey negative emotions and delve into personal matters related to SAD, whereas Chinese users tended to grapple more with workplace anxieties. This study contributes to the cultural understanding of online mental health discourses and offers insights for crafting culturally sensitive interventions and supports for people with SAD.

Parents’ ethnotheories of the nature and causes of children’s misbehaviors: A comparison of mothers across two cultures

Across all cultures, parents have intuitive ideas (“ethnotheories”) of what undesirable child characteristics are as well as how to explain them. Yet there have been relatively few cross-cultural comparisons of parents’ ethnotheories about the nature and causes of child misbehavior. 108 mothers of 5-year-old children from the United States (N = 52; Mage = 5.26, SD = 0.07) and mainland China (N = 56; Mage = 5.31, SD = 0.20) were recruited to participate in a semi-structured interview that allowed parents to generate open-ended responses in relation to the nature and causes of children’s misbehavior. Parents were asked to describe the behaviors they would least like to see in their children, before providing causal attributions to a series of hypothetical vignettes depicting a range of externalizing-type child behaviors. Parents’ responses were coded based on common themes. Across both cultures, mothers endorsed social insensitivity as the most undesirable child characteristic. With regard to cross-cultural differences, mothers from the US highlighted aggressive and disruptive behaviors as the most salient child misbehaviors, whereas parents from mainland China emphasized cognitive and motivational difficulties. Regarding causes of child misbehaviors, American mothers were more likely than Chinese mothers to report momentary internal states as the primary causes of child misbehavior, followed by immature development. Conversely, Chinese parents attributed child misbehavior primarily to social influences, followed by temperament. Our results provide a significant contribution to our understanding on how parents across cultures define and explain misbehaviors in young children.

IMPROVING THE PROCESS OF FORMING AND USING A CROSS-CULTURAL MODEL OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT IN THE ORGANIZATION

The paper substantiates the need to form a cross-cultural model of personnel management in the context of modern socio-economic relations. Based on analizing the main definitions presented in the special literature, the article clarifies the content of the economic concept of "cross-cultural model of organization's personnel management". The nature of the cross-cultural model of management of a particular organization directly depends on the characteristics of the dominant types of cross-cultural differences in the personnel structure. On this basis, the article provides a classification of cross-culturalism types by the most significant socio-demographic and economic features. One of the most important methodological problems of cross-cultural management in general and substantiation of a rational cross-cultural model of personnel management, in particular, is quantitative assessment of the significance of cross-cultural differentiation of the personnel composition of an organization. In this regard, the paper proposes a comprehensive index of cross-cultural differentiation of the organization's staff. In addition, the main groups of indicators included in the proposed comprehensive index of cross-cultural differentiation of the organization's staff are presented, and the logic of including individual private indicators is characterized. Finally, the interrelation between the types of cross-cultural differences in the organization and the proposed index of cross-cultural differentiation of the organization's staff is demonstrated.

Are lean and digital engaging better problem solvers? An empirical study on Italian manufacturing firms

PurposeWe studied the relationship between job engagement and systematic problem solving (SPS) among shop-floor employees and how lean production (LP) and Internet of Things (IoT) systems moderate this relationship.Design/methodology/approachWe collected data from a sample of 440 shop floor workers in 101 manufacturing work units across 33 plants. Because our data is nested, we employed a series of multilevel regression models to test the hypotheses. The application of IoT systems within work units was evaluated by our research team through direct observations from on-site visits.FindingsOur findings indicate a positive association between job engagement and SPS. Additionally, we found that the adoption of lean bundles positively moderates this relationship, while, surprisingly, the adoption of IoT systems negatively moderates this relationship. Interestingly, we found that, when the adoption of IoT systems is complemented by a lean management system, workers tend to experience a higher effect on the SPS of their engagement.Research limitations/implicationsOne limitation of this research is the reliance on the self-reported data collected from both workers (job engagement, SPS and control variables) and supervisors (lean bundles). Furthermore, our study was conducted in a specific country, Italy, which might have limitations on the generalizability of the results since cross-cultural differences in job engagement and SPS have been documented.Practical implicationsOur findings highlight that employees’ strong engagement in SPS behaviors is shaped by the managerial and technological systems implemented on the shop floor. Specifically, we point out that implementing IoT systems without the appropriate managerial practices can pose challenges to fostering employee engagement and SPS.Originality/valueThis paper provides new insights on how lean and new technologies contribute to the development of learning-to-learn capabilities at the individual level by empirically analyzing the moderating effects of IoT systems and LP on the relationship between job engagement and SPS.

Cross-cultural variation in experiences of acceptance, camouflaging and mental health difficulties in autism: A registered report.

Recent findings suggest that stigma and camouflaging contribute to mental health difficulties for autistic individuals, however, this evidence is largely based on UK samples. While studies have shown cross-cultural differences in levels of autism-related stigma, it is unclear whether camouflaging and mental health difficulties vary across cultures. Hence, the current study had two aims: (1) to determine whether significant relationships between autism acceptance, camouflaging, and mental health difficulties replicate in a cross-cultural sample of autistic adults, and (2) to compare these variables across cultures. To fulfil these aims, 306 autistic adults from eight countries (Australia, Belgium, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States) completed a series of online questionnaires. We found that external acceptance and personal acceptance were associated with lower levels of depression but not camouflaging or stress. Higher camouflaging was associated with elevated levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Significant differences were found across countries in external acceptance, personal acceptance, depression, anxiety, and stress, even after controlling for relevant covariates. Levels of camouflaging also differed across countries however this effect became non-significant after controlling for the covariates. These findings have significant implications, identifying priority regions for anti-stigma interventions, and highlighting countries where greater support for mental health difficulties is needed.

Development, validation and feasibility of a Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire for evaluating the quality performance of a diagnostic small fibre neuropathy service: A qualitative study.

Small fibre neuropathy (SFN) is a peripheral neuropathy, leading to neuropathic pain and autonomic dysfunction. An evidence-based standardized patient diagnostic SFN service has been implemented in the Netherlands for improving patient-centred SFN care. However, the quality of care of this diagnostic SFN service has never been assessed from a patient perspective. The aim of this study was to develop and validate an SFN-Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (SFN-PSQ) to measure the quality performance of a standardized diagnostic SFN service. A descriptive qualitative study to create the SFN-PSQ was performed using the (COREQ(Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research) checklist. For item generation and content development, domains and/or items from validated PSQs were selected. The content development and content validity were performed using a Delphi method with SFN expert caregivers with different backgrounds. By using the three-step-test method in individual cognitive interviews, the content validity by patients was finalized. In one online Delphi panel round, the content of the first concept of the SFN-PSQ was validated, which resulted in the second concept of the SFN-PSQ. From July 2019 till March 2020, nine patients consented to participate in the individual cognitive interviews. The most significant changes of the new questionnaire were adding domains and items concerning the waiting list, the diagnostic services and consultation by the hospital psychiatrist. Also, a differentiation was made for both an inpatient and outpatient diagnostic SFN service. Furthermore, the clarity and intelligibility of the domains/items were improved, resulting in an increased comprehension of the SFN-PSQ. Ultimately, the new developed SFN-PSQ consisted of 10 domains and 51 items, suitable for measuring patient satisfaction of the neurological analysis in patients with SFN. Through item generation, expert opinions and interviews with patients, the SFN-PSQ was developed and validated, and feasibility was confirmed. The structure of the questionnaire, based on the logistic and diagnostic SFN pathway, could be used as a model in other hospitals to improve the quality, continuity and access of SFN care and other chronic diseases taking into account potential cross-cultural differences. Caregivers were involved in the item generation and content development of the questionnaire. Patients were directly involved in testing the content validity and feasibility of the SFN-PSQ. Not applicable.

Mediated Clash of Civilizations: Examining the Proximity-Visual Framing Nexus in Al Jazeera Arabic and Fox News’ Coverage of the 2021 Gaza War

The Israeli–Palestinian conflict is amongst the most polarizing topics today, particularly when comparing predominant U.S. and Arab perspectives. News media are often criticized for being pro-Israel or pro-Palestine, and more so during deadly wars. This study examines all 320 images Al Jazeera Arabic and Fox News put out in their articles covering the May 2021 Gaza War and investigates how Qatar and the U.S.’s proximity to Israel and Palestine factored into the outlets’ visual framing choices. Despite both invoking the David and Goliath master narrative, they provided a polarized coverage of the war, with Al Jazeera proliferating narratives of Hamas and pro-Palestine supporters and exclusively foregrounding the suffering of Palestinian civilians, and Fox legitimating Israeli military actions and presenting Hamas as a terrorizing force that disrupts the lives of Israelis as well as wreaks havoc and fuels anti-Jewish sentiments in the U.S. After dissecting the cross-cultural differences in death and dying portrayals, displays of Israelis and Palestinians, and recurrent visual themes, the study concludes with a discussion on the influence of news agencies on media’s photographic decisions and the implications of extreme alignment in the proximity-framing nexus on the propagation of mediated clash of civilizations in the digital news sphere.

Parents’ cultural beliefs about maladaptive behavior in young children: A comparison across two cultures

Parents’ cultural beliefs are associated with their children’s socialization and development. Researchers have examined these associations through the lens of parents’ ethnotheories, which refer to parents’ implicit beliefs about children’s developmentally appropriate behavior. In contrast to prior work focused on parents’ ethnotheories of desirable behaviors and qualities, there has been a considerable lack of research examining ethnotheories about children’s maladaptive behavior. In this article, we address this gap in knowledge by examining cultural differences and similarities in Spanish and American parents’ beliefs about the causes of children’s maladaptive behaviors. A semi-structured interview was used to assess parents’ causal attributions of children’s internalizing and externalizing behaviors in a sample of 50 parents from the United States and 51 parents from Spain. Results revealed that US parents made more attributions to children’s internal states, social learning, and power motives than Spanish parents for externalizing behaviors. Conversely, Spanish parents made more attributions to attention seeking and material gains than US parents for the same behaviors. There were no cross-cultural differences in attributions for internalizing behaviors. Parents had strikingly different theories of children’s disruptive behaviors than they did for children’s internalizing behaviors. Differences in parents’ explanatory styles may reflect and maintain broader cultural differences between Spain and the United States. This study lends evidence to the growing literature on the relevance of parents’ ethnotheories in the context of child development and extends it to the topic of parental attributions regarding maladaptive child behaviors.

The Effect of Celebrity Endorsement on Brand Equity: A Cross Cultural Comparison

Celebrity endorsement has become a popular advertising strategy on a global scale. However, although responses to celebrity endorsement are considered to diverge across cultures, cross-cultural research on celebrity endorsement as an advertising strategy is argued to be scarce. The purpose of this research is to extend the current literature by examining cross-cultural similarities and differences in celebrity endorsement effectiveness. We investigate the impact of celebrity endorsement strategies on brand image and brand identification and how these factors, in turn, influence brand equity, across markets. Data were collected through an online survey addressed to two markets: Portugal, and Moldova. A total of 365 valid answers were obtained, 195 from the Portuguese market, and 170 from the Moldovan market. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to test the hypotheses. The results indicate that the attitude toward the celebrity endorser has a significantly positive effect on brand image and a significantly positive effect on brand identification, only in the Moldovan market. In both markets, brand image and brand identification positively influence brand equity.

Cross-cultural perception of strength, attractiveness, aggressiveness and helpfulness of Maasai male faces calibrated to handgrip strength

Previous research has demonstrated that Maasai and Europeans tend to align in their ratings of the physical strength and aggressiveness of Maasai male faces, calibrated to hand grip strength (HGS). However, perceptions of attractiveness of these faces differed among populations. In this study, three morphs of young Maasai men created by means of geometric morphometrics, and depicting the average sample and two extrema (± 4 SD of HGS), were assessed by men and women from Tanzania, Czech Republic, Russia, Pakistan, China, and Mexico (total sample = 1540). The aim of this study was to test cross-cultural differences in the perception of young Maasai men’s composites calibrated to HGS, focusing on four traits: physical strength, attractiveness, aggressiveness, and helpfulness. Individuals from all six cultures were able to distinguish between low, medium, and high HGS portraits. Across all study populations, portrait of Maasai men with lower HGS was perceived as less attractive, more aggressive, and less helpful. This suggests that people from diverse populations share similar perceptions of physical strength based on facial shape, as well as attribute similar social qualities like aggressiveness and helpfulness to these facial images. Participants from all samples rated the composite image of weak Maasai men as the least attractive.

The Playing Motivations of Male and Female Gamers and the Effects of Stereotypes on Their Motivations in Honor of Kings

Introduction Honor of Kings (HoK) is one of the most popular mobile games worldwide. To understand why players actively engage with digital games, it is essential to focus on their gaming motivations. However, no previous studies were found to have investigated the kinds and depth of players’ motivations in this game. Moreover, the empirical research concerning the impact of stereotype threat and lift on players’ motivations is scant. Thus, this pre-registered study aims to examine male and female players’ gaming motivations in Honor of Kings and the effects of stereotypes on players’ motivations. Methods This study utilized Yee et al. (2012)’s motivational model. A 2 × 3 MANCOVA was performed for the outcome variables of achievement, social, and immersion motivations; with gender and stereotype activation (no activation, female, and male threat activation) as independent variables; and with age and gaming time as covariates (n = 421). Results Contrary to prevalent perceptions, the results suggested females had higher achievement and immersion motivations, but lower social motivation than males in Honor of Kings. Unexpectedly, only females’ immersion motivation was impaired under stereotype threat, and females demonstrated lower social motivation under stereotype lift. However, males were not affected by either stereotype threat or stereotype lift. Discussion The results suggest that caution is needed for the assumption that male gamers are more achievement-oriented and females are more social-oriented because their motivations may vary depending on game genres. This study also found unexpected effects of stereotype threat and lift. Future research should further explore how to implement stereotype activation effectively to promote gender equality in gaming. Notably, this study only recruited participants from China due to the restrictions of recruitment channels. Future researchers are highly recommended to examine whether there are cross-cultural differences in the findings of this study.

Cross-cultural differences through subjective cognition: illustration in translatology with the SSTIC-E in the UAE.

The development of appropriate and valid multicultural and multilingual instruments research is necessary due to a growing multicultural and multilingual society in the 21st century. We explored the use of a cognitive scale related to subjective complaints, focusing on the first step: a cross-cultural and semantic validation. This study presents the translation and cross-validation process of the "Subjective Scale to Investigate Cognition in Schizophrenia" (SSTICS) for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) region via different languages used in Dubaï/Abu Dhabi. This scale measures cognitive complaints and has been validated with psychosis and used in 20 clinical trials worldwide. It evaluates areas of the illness related to self-awareness focusing on memory dysfunction and deficits of attention, language, and praxis. We described the method of cross-cultural validation, with back-translation, semantic steps, and societal contexts. The use of the Subjective Scale to Investigate Cognition in Emirates (SSTIC-E) was explored with different samples of UAE Arabic-speaking subjects. First, a pilot sample mean SSTICS total score was 16.5 (SD:16.9); (p < 0.001). The SSTIC-E was then administered to 126 patients and 84 healthy control participants. The healthy group has a lower mean score of 22.55 (SD = 12.04) vs. 34.06 (SD = 15.19). The method was extended to nine other languages, namely, Pakistani/Urdu, Hindi, Marathi, Lithuanian, Serbian, German, Romanian, Sinhala, and Russian. The scales are provided in the article. The overall aim of the translation process should be to stay close to the original version of the instrument so that it is meaningful and easily understood by the target language population. However, for construct validity, some items must be adapted at the time of translation to ensure that the questioned cognitive domain is respected. For example, cooking, an executive function, does not have the same occurrence for an Emirati male, or remembering a prime minister's name, semantic memory, requires an electoral system to appoint the leader of a country. Translation methods and processes present many challenges but applying relevant and creative strategies to reduce errors is essential to achieve semantic validation. This study aims to measure personally experienced knowledge or attitudes; such language effects can be a thorny problem.