Psychologist, Lawrence Kohlberg, was perhaps a revolution on the subject of moral development. As a species, we, almost universally, have a moral compass that we all carry. Each of us has a set of moral principles that we desire to live up to, and often feel guilt or shame when we do not. However, like all psychological processes, Kohlberg recognized that this aspect of self must develop across time. Like other psychologists, such as Erikson, Kohlberg believed that moral development occurred across a multitude of stages. Let us examine further.
1. The preconventional stage: At this stage, one's sense of right and wrong are contingent upon opportunistic action and the subsequent result that follows. In other words, something is right or wrong in-so-far as it is beneficial or costly to the self. There is no further regard for principality or virtue. Instead, this stage appears to merely reflect a generalized risk/reward analysis.
2. The conventional stage: At this stage, one has acknowledged the standards of the culture with which one belongs to. Furthermore, the individual feels a sense of duty in living up to the norms and expectations of the social order. These principles however, are not yet internalized, but rather are still viewed in regards to how they maintain the social order.
3. The postconventional stage: At this point, the individual has come to internalized the moral standards imposed by the culture, and now views these standards as entities that are qualitatively distinct and independent from the culture itself. In other words, these principles are absolute universal truths (in the mind of the individual) and do not reflect an a cultural imposition. At this point, living to these standards is important do the person, and distressing when this does not occur.
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Culture Shock: The U of Acculturation
It goes without saying that many cultures exist throughout the world. Individuals are born into a certain cultural context, and as such have to conform and adapt accordingly. Be that as it may, there are those who do not stick to one cultural environment. Some, for many reasons, feel the need to navigate to a new cultural environment. Once this has been done, the individual must learn about and adapt to the new culture. This process is known as acculturation.
When one is in the process of acculturation, a U shaped pattern typically presents itself. The individual typically experiences a "high" from the new environment, reacting to the new cultural practices, and the people of that culture, with enthusiasm and excitement. This is what is referred to as the "honeymoon" phase. Eventually however, the individual experiences a crash, where they become stressed and frustrated by this new adaptation process, find it difficult to adopt the practices and learn the language of the culture, and begin to miss their heritage culture and the individuals within it. This is known as "culture shock" and is typical among immigrants. Finally, the individual begins to emerge from this state and finds they are beginning to become adjusted to the new host culture.
What is interesting is that if the individual returns to their culture of heritage, the same phenomenon typically presents itself, where they are happy to return home, but become distressed by re adaptation to the culture. Then finally regain that "home" feeling as these distressing experiences begin to fade.
Adjustment to a culture appears to be contingent upon the individuals personality and the similarities between the heritage and host culture, what is referred to as "cultural fit" and "cultural distance" respectively. Individual personalities may be more suited to the practices and rituals of certain cultures than others. As such, immigrants may be more suited to the environment of their current host culture than their birthed heritage culture. Furthermore, immigration to certain cultures may produce a more severe culture shock syndrome, should the culture be more qualitatively distinct from the host culture.
The phenomenon of culture shock is one that is experienced by many immigrants throughout the world. This syndrome may fall under various DSM-5 diagnoses, such as adjustment disorder, or specific culture bound syndromes. As such, treatment may be contingent on several factors unique to the individual. As such, treatment for the condition is most likely contingent upon the individual who is experiencing it. However, with time and research, we may learn more about this condition and produce better treatment for immigrants experiencing it.
When one is in the process of acculturation, a U shaped pattern typically presents itself. The individual typically experiences a "high" from the new environment, reacting to the new cultural practices, and the people of that culture, with enthusiasm and excitement. This is what is referred to as the "honeymoon" phase. Eventually however, the individual experiences a crash, where they become stressed and frustrated by this new adaptation process, find it difficult to adopt the practices and learn the language of the culture, and begin to miss their heritage culture and the individuals within it. This is known as "culture shock" and is typical among immigrants. Finally, the individual begins to emerge from this state and finds they are beginning to become adjusted to the new host culture.
What is interesting is that if the individual returns to their culture of heritage, the same phenomenon typically presents itself, where they are happy to return home, but become distressed by re adaptation to the culture. Then finally regain that "home" feeling as these distressing experiences begin to fade.
Adjustment to a culture appears to be contingent upon the individuals personality and the similarities between the heritage and host culture, what is referred to as "cultural fit" and "cultural distance" respectively. Individual personalities may be more suited to the practices and rituals of certain cultures than others. As such, immigrants may be more suited to the environment of their current host culture than their birthed heritage culture. Furthermore, immigration to certain cultures may produce a more severe culture shock syndrome, should the culture be more qualitatively distinct from the host culture.
The phenomenon of culture shock is one that is experienced by many immigrants throughout the world. This syndrome may fall under various DSM-5 diagnoses, such as adjustment disorder, or specific culture bound syndromes. As such, treatment may be contingent on several factors unique to the individual. As such, treatment for the condition is most likely contingent upon the individual who is experiencing it. However, with time and research, we may learn more about this condition and produce better treatment for immigrants experiencing it.
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