In his article named “Most people are not WEIRD,” Henrich raises a question in the account of the doubt in the methodology that scientists are using, considering only WEIRD (Western, educated, industrialized, prosperous, and democratic) people. The main points of the article are simple: fundamental cognitive processes are not identical in different populations, and this fact must be recognized in science. These points may be supported by examples from the article: experimental findings from several disciplines and anthropologists’ suggestions also tell about the diversity of patterns and principles of thinking and perception. Besides, Henrich offers to make a set of criteria to be able to differentiate variable and universal parts of psychology. In general, the author explains there is a bias that WEIRD people can represent all people in the world, though they are contextually confined.
The author’s points are essential for sociologists because they can help analyze other societies more naturally and objectively, not only through the Western prism. The article considers different influences on human behavior; that is why sociologists have to read it to be able to view various structures and contexts that makeup society. In addition, the article connects to sociological research by mentioning studies on analytical reasoning strategies and social behavior related to fairness. In the Chapter 1 lectures, one can see how the lectures’ material connects with Henrich’s work, for they emphasize the importance of different factors in forming any society. Explicitly speaking, social context and social structure make up society. The former means the impact of historical influences, globalization, and cultural diversity, and the latter means definite patterns of social relationships that with concrete social institutions constitute society.