CULTURE SHOCK
The world is slowly turning into being fully technocratic. The rapid technological advancements and globalization have proved this in the recent past. The world is changing into a global village. However, cultural diversity still exists, and with the high level of cross-cultural interaction, a few aspect are brought about, and culture shock is one of them. According to Kalervo Oberg, an anthropologist, culture shock is the disorientation that one experiences when he or she is suddenly subjected to a varying cultural environment from his own. This kind of disorientation is closely related to the psychology of the victim.
The study of culture shock, its cause, effects and ways of overcoming it provides a basis for psychological
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These aspects define the life of an individual. There is therefore a certain mindset, already formed in the psychological setup of the individual. When this individual is subjected to contradicting aspects, they tend to experience a certain form of stress. This stress is attributed to the direct efforts of trying to conform to the new cultural patterns.
Culture shock comes with negative impacts, which carry a number of symptoms. The major ones include a feeling of helplessness, confusion, depression and anxiety (Mio, 1999). These are brought about by the initial out-of-pace syndrome. An accumulation of these symptoms lead to an intense condition that impair the ability to adapting to the new environment. The victims are likely to turn hostile to the natives, which brings a problem in their harmonious living. (Ferraro, 2006)
Culture shock occurs in four phases and knowledge on these phases can help one predict the predicaments that she can face in a new cultural set-up. These stages are described as below.
i. The initial stage is characterized with a happy feeling, whereby one is very excited about the new things they find in their new
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(Jacobs, 2003)
Self-efficacy means believing in oneself, that you can overcome challenges that come your way. This trait is very important in dealing with culture shock. Having confidence that you are going to succeed in your new environment is a prerequisite for a successful cultural integration. Another character trait that can be of similar importance in overcoming the feeling of helplessness is being optimistic. It decreases the possibility of attracting the symptoms of culture shock. However, over-confidence in one-self and excessive optimism can lead to other serious problems. (Ferraro, 2006)
In conclusion, everyone subscribe to a certain culture. The fact that these cultures differ, does not mean that we should not interact. In our interaction, there are obvious problems, and culture shock takes the center stage in these challenges. This psychological discomfort is best dealt with by first accepting that you are in a different cultural set-up and appreciating that change of behavior and values. Knowledge in the four phases of culture shock will provide basis of getting prepared for this problem. Above all, it is good to keep your own cultural values
Becoming aware of a culture supersedes the individual emotions you may experience in trying to understand how a group of people have become, through their own experience, different from the identity that you have attained from your own culture. “Cultural awareness is one being aware of their personal attitudes, beliefs, biases, and behaviors that may influence the type of care they are able to render in an environment.” (Mopraize)
Brink, Pamela J. and Judith Saunders, “The Phases of Culture Shock.” Kiniry and Rose 332-333. Print.
Culture often means an appreciation of the finer things in life; however, culture brings members of a society together. We have a sense of belonging because we share similar beliefs, values, and attitudes about what’s right and wrong. As a result, culture changes as people adapt to their surroundings. According to Bishop Donald, “let it begin with me and my children and grandchildren” (211). Among other things, culture influences what you eat; how you were raised and will raise your own children? If, when, and whom you will marry; how you make and spend money. Truth is culture is adaptive and always changing over time because
Such drastic change, some referred to as “ culture shock”, does not necessary only apply to adults, but also dependent children. Just as an adult immigrant, a child faces similar problems in his new life in this brand new environment. The challenges arise not only because of these difficulties
The video titled “Intercultural Flexibility Staircase Model” explains the process in which a person adapts to a new culture. Each step builds off of the previous, until the person is fully immersed in a culture that they were previously ignorant to. The first step is called unconscious incompetence, which means that a person is unaware of surrounding cultures, and thinks of their own as the main way of living. The following step known as conscious incompetence, is when someone becomes aware of the other cultures, and realizes that they lack the skills to communicate with other cultures. Conscious competence, the third step in the staircase model, explains that this is the point in which a person wants to learn about a new culture, and begins
With this paper I wanted to focus on psychological aspects that had to do with a different side of the culture. There are three key aspect of information from the c...
To be more specific, the spectrum of emotions comprising culture shock can range from alienation and loneliness to confusion and stress. When analyzed more carefully though, culture shock can be viewed through a more fundamental standpoint. Essentially, it can be defined as an emotional stimulus one develops when experiencing a different behavioral response from an individual or group in a social situation that is familiar to both parties involved. How an anthropological researcher handles his or her emotional reactions to these behavioral responses of a native people will dictate the formation of the social relationship that is continuously being developed. From the subjective opinion of the researcher, culture shock can undoubtedly seem like an impediment to his or her progress in research at the time that an instance of it occurs; however in the long term, properly approaching any difficulties experienced from culture shock in an objective manner can reveal under...
middle of paper ... ... Sociocultural Subjectivities: Progress, Prospects, Problems. Theory of Psychology, 20(6), 765–780. Mahn, H. (1999, Nov/Dec).
Culture, where and how a person is raised, affects a person no matter how much they dislike the way they are being taught the ways of life. However, moving to different places as a child and coun...
A study by Steven M. Albert states that “Culture leads people to categorize and assign meanings, expect certain behaviors, and act in particular ways” (Albert, 2010). Failure to adhere to and practice the culture with the citizens of the host country may result in dangerous misunderstanding that could cause irreparable damage to the wellbeing of such visitor or immigrant. Certain behaviors and practices that are considered inappropriate, impolite, and offensive in a host country might be the culture in immigrants or visitors’ home countries.
Cultural Adaptation The purpose of this essay is to identify ways an individual may adapt to a new culture and the stages the individual may go through to culturally adapt to the new culture. Individuals and families face many obstacles when leaving their home country and integrating into a new society. This essay will address how this adaptation affects them as an individual, their culture, and as society as a whole. Culture is considered as the client’s values, beliefs, customs, race and ethnicity, spirituality, gender and sexuality, etc.
Thomas, D. C., and Ravlin, E. C.,1995. Responses of employees to cultural adaptation by a foreign manager. Journal of Applied Psychology, 80(1),pp.133–146.
Everyone reacts differently to new environments.While some are excited others are upset to have to leave important people behind. Culture shock comes in many different forms and sizes, some may find it harder to adjust than others. The difficulties to adjusting don’t always show up right away (TeensHealth). Culture shock is experienced in many different ways some common feelings are; sadness, loneliness, anxiety, trouble concentrating, feeling left out, negative feelings towards the new culture and frustration (TeensHealth). These feelings are temporary, eventually people get used to their surroundings. Although, many have been planning on the change for a long time, many still experience the impact of culture shock (International Students and Culture Shock). A huge majority of the cultures norms are based on language.
When one encounters a culture that has little in common with own, one may experience culture shock. This is a sense of confusion, anxiety, stress and loss one may experience. One of the barriers in effective intercultural communication is ethnocentrism. It stems from a conviction that one’s own cultural traditions and assumptions are superior to those of others. It leads to a tendency to look the world primarily from the perspective of one's own culture. It is one of the fastest ways to create a barrier that inhibits, rather than enhances communication (Jandt, 2012).
Cultural sensitivity occurs when people recognize and are aware that each country or various ethnic groups of people have their own set of experiences, beliefs, values, and language that affect their perceptions toward life. Addressing Cultural sensitivity permits people to comprehend that there are differences between cultures. Furthermore, having awareness in the differences between cultures permits a culturally competent person to communicate effectively with others that are outside of one’s realm. Some of the differences of Cultural sensitivity can be discovered while traveling outside of the country, such as through Cross-cultural sensitivity experiences. Likewise, a culture has its own norms and beliefs to how one should dress; how one should greet others, such as by referring to a significant individual by his or her first name or surname (comprehending which name should be stated first in foreign names); and/or what foods are permitted to eat or forbidden to eat or understanding what may offend a person (e.g. not accepting a home cooked meal). There are norms, taboos, cultural cues, and cultural etiquette standards that are significant to learning about one’s culture before exploring another country or while working with people who are from your country but who are part of another racial group. It takes time and patience to build a high level of Cultural sensitivity. Educating oneself with a culture’s psychology and its norms is significant toward achieving an increasing awareness toward Cultural sensitivity.