Richard Nisbett explores cognitive differences in Geography of the Mind

In his work “Geography of the Mind,” psychologist Richard Nisbett presents research on cross-cultural psychology, examining how social, philosophical, and educational systems influence human perception and thought.

Nisbett argues that East Asian cognition tends to be holistic, focusing on the entire perceptual field and the relationships between objects and events. In contrast, Western cognition focuses on salient objects and individuals, categorizing them and applying formal logic to understand behavior. These differences are traced back to the distinct legacies of Ancient Greece and China, specifically the traditions of Aristotle and Confucius.