Abstract:
Culture has been defined as being familiar with or competent in a particular lifestyle, whereas ethnicity is distinguishable as being a self-categorization, and is linked more to common ancestry than behaviour or lifestyle (Thomas, 1988). The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between ethnicity and agreement with Eurocentric values and familiarity with Maori culture and the relative impact of these on neuropsychological test performance of Maori. Participants were individually administered a series of neuropsychological tests, some reviously found to elicit differences in performance in relation to Maori as well as assessments of agreement with Eurocentric values and familiarity with Maori culture. Study participants included 30 Maori men and women who completed the questionnaires and neuropsychological assessments. For comparison purposes, 10 Pakeha were also recruited to complete only the Maori Knowledge Test (MKT) and Eurocentric Values Questionnaire (EVQ) to provide indication of ethnicity differences on these measures. Maori and Pakeha participants were recruited from an undergraduate psychology student population. To enhance diversity within the sample, further participants were recruited from semi-rural outposts of an iwi based Wananga Maori tertiary education provider) diploma programme. Results identified no significant differences between Maori and Pakeha on the EVQ VQ although there was a significant difference between Maori and Pakeha samples on the MKT with Maori exhibiting greater knowledge. There were no significant correlations between performance on the MKT and performance on the neuropsychological assessments. However, there were significant correlations between the level of agreement with Eurocentric values and some assessments of immediate verbal recall memory and oral word fluency. Low agreement with Eurocentric values correlated with better performance on these tests. Agreement with Eurocentric values and education appeared to have some implications for neuropsychological testing and are discussed in light of current research.