Professor Dr. Shinobu Kitayama

Biography

Shinobu Kitayama is the Robert B. Zajonc Collegiate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Michigan. His research primarily focuses on cultural differences in mental processes including self, emotion, and cognition. Kitayama specializes in comparing individuals from Asian countries such as Japan, the Philippines, and China with Americans to explore these variations. As the director of the Culture & Cognition Program, he aims to highlight the importance of representing non-Western societies within psychology, advocating for a more inclusive and reflective approach that extends beyond the traditionally Eurocentric frameworks. He earned his PhD from the University of Michigan in 1987, and has previously studied at Kyoto University, earning both MA and BA degrees there. Kitayama's contributions have been pivotal in expanding theoretical and practical applications in psychology, making them relevant for a broader range of societies.

Research Interests