Cultural Self-Study

For this week: Using material introduced in class readings and on the discussion boards, complete the steps of the cultural self-study indicated below.

You should label the sections of your self-study exactly as they appear below. This second part of this self-study should not exceed 4 double-spaced pages, not including your cover page or your reference page.

You should use at least 2 scholarly sources to support your thoughts in this assignment. As in last week's assignment, try to focus on the ways that you, your family, and your important reference groups represent larger, cultural realities.

Your work will be evaluated on the basis of the variety of course concepts you use appropriately and evidence that you have made a genuine effort to deal with tasks which require some very deep reflection. No student, however, should in any way feel compelled to share information that she or he believes is private or personal.

Keep in mind, though, that a degree of discomfort with this project is normal, as it requires making explicit things that usually remain implicit, automatic, and wordless-like how you drive a car or greet a stranger visiting your home. Many students have found this exercise to provide a very powerful and useful form of self-discovery.

Preferred patterns of speaking and relating to others. Think of elements like your accent, manner and tempo of speech, or your preference for more active or quiet-attentive interaction.

What impulses and needs are you most comfortable communicating? Consider how you structure relationships over time in terms of task vs. socio-emotional roles, management of dependence and independence, needs for control, and handling of emotions and interpersonal closeness.

What aspects of these patterns do you view as cultural?

Your personality patterns.

Describe a few features of your personality which are shaped by gender, age, social class, and ethnic factors. Though you are a distinct individual, how you express this is shaped at least in part by certain cultural and social conventions.

Think of your personality as an accepted way of adapting to or "syncing" with settings which are important parts of your past and present life.

Mapping yourself on cultural dimensions. Locate and report on where you fall on four of the cultural dimensions described in the class readings for this week (e.g., Power Distance, Uncertainty Avoidance, Individualism/Collectivism, Masculinity/Femininity, Long/ Short Term Orientation, and Indulgence/Restraint).

If you think your positioning here depends very largely on context, provide some explanation of this. How useful is it to describe yourself using these dimensions? What does it feel like to "dimensionalize" yourself in this way?

Summary Self-Statement. In no more than 250 words prepare a summary statement of your cultural programming and identity. The page maximum is 4 pages.

Use at least 2 scholarly references. For additional information to help you complete this assignment, and how this assignment will be assessed review the grading rubric in the course.