Essay Question #1- Where I Stand
Cultural dichotomies are social classifications distinguishing the Western from non-Western cultures. Cultural dichotomies interest cross-cultural psychologists because they get to know why Westerners from rich European and American countries favor individualism, independence, and individual rights, while non-Westerners are allied to collectivism, interdependence, and group rights. Regarding the traditional vs. nontraditional dichotomy, the traditional side is based on customs, rules, symbols, and principles recognized in the past, while the nontraditional side is founded on new principles, ideas, and conducts (Shiraev & Levy, 2017) . I am related to the nontraditional side of the dichotomy because my choices and judgments are not restricted to the confines of social prescriptions. For example, I do not judge harshly homosexuals. An experience that helped me clarify where I stand on this dichotomy is when I gave a friend a shoulder to lean on when she got denounced by her parents for being a lesbian.
On the other hand, there is the collectivist vs. individualist dichotomy, where collectivist affiliated individuals have an interdependent opinion where they regard themselves as being linked to others. Conversely, the individualist side considers having an independent view and working separately from others. I relate with the collectivist side because most of my pursuits in life are around building relationships and group memberships. The notion that helped me clarify where I stand on this dichotomy is the fact that I like family get-togethers and meetings where I can meet my uncles, aunts, and cousins. Usually, summer and Christmas holidays form the best moments in my life because I can spend time with my extended family.
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Similarly, there is the ethnocentric vs. relativistic dichotomy where the ethnocentric side involves judging based on the values and norms recognized by the majority, while the relativistic side entails judging based on the culture in which something occurs (Shiraev & Levy, 2017) . In this regard, I am affiliated with the relativistic side because I do not use the moral standards of one culture to critic others. For instance, the Christian culture does not allow polygamy; however, Islam allows polygamy implying that I cannot use Christianity to judge a Muslim man who has opted to be polygamous. An experience that helped me clarify where I stand on this dichotomy is when my Muslim neighbor went ahead and married a third wife, and I realized that I ought not to judge him because his faith dictates so.
Also, there is the universalist vs. relativist dichotomy, whereby in the universalist side, psychological processes are consistent throughout different cultures. Conversely, the relativist side proposes that human behavior can only be comprehended in the setting of its culture (Shiraev & Levy, 2017) . Concerning this, I am affiliated to the relativist side because only being in a given culture can one be able to understand their pursuits. For example, one might have the perception that families should have strong ties globally; however, American families are dispersed compared to Indian families because of diverse cultures. An experience that prompted me to take this view is the fact that my Indian friend indicated that she could not get a new partner unless her mother approves of the same, and that among Indians, continuous endorsement of the matriarch is vital.
Finally, there is masculinity vs. femininity, whereby the masculinity side involves gender roles being traditionally allocated to men having features like physical power, decisiveness, and aggressiveness (Shiraev & Levy, 2017). Concerning femininity, gender roles are assigned to females with features linked with beauty, emotionality, and nurture. I am allied to the femininity side because women are allowed to take care of delicate and significant issues that deal with community growth. A factor that swayed me to this side is having my sister prefer being her baby’s primary caregiver as opposed to her husband, whom she perceives to be too aggressive for the minor.
Essay Question #2- I Know I’ve Been Changed
Taking this class has made my perceptions of different cultures to change because I am more respectful of what one does as their background dictates. Despite all the cultural, racial, religious, ethnic, and national differences, I have learned to be more empathetic, respectful, and lenient with those I interact with. For example, I came to understand that Indian families are matriarchal because I have accepted the fact that my friend should inform her mother who to marry for approval. Also, taking this class has influenced my perception of my cultural identity because I appreciate my background more. Still, I have realized that I should not allow it to hinder my enjoyment of the new world. Typically, cultural ties like the necessity of marriage and enduring suffering without divorcing might hinder one’s development. As such, if not favorable, then the marriage will not be on my to-do list despite my culture, recommending one to partake of it. Initially, I knew that my culture ought to be respected despite its negative effect on my life. Nonetheless, I realized that it is not mandatory, and one can do what they wish because some cultural practices have no basis. For instance, the denunciation of my friend for being a lesbian by her parents catalyzed in me the notion that marriage is not only between a man and a woman, but also same-sex marriage can happen without any adverse effects.
Essay Question #3- Enlightenment
The identity development model that most accurately reflects my personal development is t he Hispanic identity model, which has five stages. The Causal stage entails the refusal of the Hispanic culture as people fail to associate with it due to the stereotypes by the main culture. The Cognitive stage follows, where the Hispanics mentally consent to the stereotypes, and have the conviction that adaptation with the dominant culture is the only means to triumph and escape from their culture, including names. In the Consequence stage, people end up regretting abandoning their cultural background to attain the dominant cultures. In the Working Through stage, people encounter psychological stress due to cultural identity conflicts as it gets difficult to adapt; hence, pretending to belong to the dominant culture gets hard. Consequently, they reintegrate the cultures as they become more ethnic aware. In the final stage, Successful Resolution, better reception of personal cultural conducts, self-awareness, and great self-esteem emerge as one apprehends their ethnic identity.
In the Causal stage, I refused to associate with the Blacks due to the stereotype by the majority, Whites, that Blacks are poor. As such, the Cognitive stage followed, where I did acquire the White cultural customs, including their foods. In the Consequence stage, I ended up regretting abandoning my cultural background because I found the food unappealing, and I would miss our old recipes and meals. Subsequently, I faced psychological stress in the Working Through stage as pretending to eat the foods for the Whites got hard making me go back to our original recipes. In the final stage, Successful Resolution, I became a better individual because I would eat the food I am comfortable with; hence, better self-awareness, and self-esteem.
The fifth stage, Successful Resolution, has influenced me most because it ensured I become a better person. I can appreciate my background without making comparisons with other cultures. My accent, food, and names are all founded in my culture as opposed to being depended on others. As such, I am more self-reliant and confident. Nevertheless, the present world is full of cultural tensions; thus, parents should start having conversations with their children concerning culture as early as five years. This is because children will be able to know who they are, appreciate themselves, and realize why they may seem different from others. Subsequently, they will grow, knowing that they do not need to change anything for them to feel good about themselves.
Reference
Shiraev, E., & Levy, D. (2017). Cross-Cultural Psychology Critical Thinking and Contemporary Applications (6th ed.). Abingdon, United Kingdom: Routledge.
