The article is dedicated to the problem of interrelation between cultural factors and processes of interpersonal perception. A number of theoretical issues is considered - among them the problem of variant and invariant psychological properties, the problem of limits of such variability, the problem of nature and differences in psychological manifestations brought about by cultural factors. Results of experimental studies performed under the guidance of the author are provided which show the influence of cultural-historical experience fixed in the products of culture (particularly in proverbs and physiognomic marks) on the content of perception and appraisal of men by men. Differences in perception of the same people by groups of Russian and Vietnamese subjects established in those studies throw some light on the psychological mechanisms which may form the basis of social perception in general.