Paper assignment
Please answer one of the following two questions. Papers must be a minimum of 4 pages. This assignment is due by July 3rd by 11:59pm on Blackboard. Please see the syllabus for formatting requirements.
1. Describe an experience you have had that demonstrates the interaction of person and situation. This may involve different reactions to similar stimuli due to a change in situation (context). Is there any cultural variation in the way the situations you describe influence people's behavior? In other words, do people from different cultures react to these situations differently than you do?
How might different types of knowledge (Legal, ideological, etc.) alter the perspective of persons of other cultures in this same situation? For example, in class we looked at an ambiguous picture of men dancing or fighting. Whereas everyone saw the same picture, their interpretation of what was happening differed.
2. Describe a socialization experience (either growing up or when spending extended time in a new culture). Some aspects to consider are: How much contact did you have with your extended family? What was the quality of that contact? Who, outside of your immediate family, was influential in your socialization?
What were some of the results of your enculturation or "rules" that you learned? Throughout your answer keep in mind the cultural differences explained in the chapter and make explicit the ways your experience fits or is contrary to the description provided in the chapter.
Consider major terms such as collectivism, power distance, and uncertainty orientation when describing what you learned and articulating your experiences.