Multicultural Concepts

RUNNING HEAD: Multicultural Concepts

Multicultural Concepts

Sarah Bayer

Class: Multicultural Psychology

Instructor: Evangelina Alonso

Date: March 4, 2013

Cultural Differences

This paper will have the topic on multicultural concepts; therefore, an individual must understand what multicultural is to understand the concepts behind it. Multicultural is considered to be multiculturalism, which is the "body of thought in political philosophy about the proper way to respond to cultural and religious diversity" (Song, 2010; p. 1). Multiculturalism has differentiated rights; therefore, these rights can grant a culturally different individual "exemption from generally applicable laws in virtue of their religious beliefs or individuals who seek language accommodations in schools or in voting" (Song, 2010; p. 1). Multiculturalism can also have disadvantages for an individual, such as women; disable individuals, gays, African Americans, and lesbians. Discrimination can be one of these disadvantages that these individuals may face. These individuals may turn to a multicultural psychologist for help understanding why discrimination happens toward him or her. Therefore, this type of psychology will also help a culturally different individual who may have issues with adjusting to the American culture; therefore, the individual will benefit from seeing a multicultural psychologist. In addition this paper will have the topic on two concepts that defines multicultural. The concepts that will be defined are individualism versus collectivism and acculturation.

Multicultural Concept

The first concept is collectivism versus individualism. Collectivism is considered to be the social patterns that consist of an individual believing he or she is linked to "one or more collectives" (Gillies, 2011; p. 1), which are an individual family, friends, and workplace.

A collectivist individual motivation can consist of

* "the norms and expectations of the collective

* gives priority to the goals of the collective over their own personal goals

* will emphasize the connections they have with members of the collective" (Gillies, 2011; p. 1)

Most Eastern Nation, Brazil, Russia, and India are considered to be countries that have collectivistic cultures. Individualism is considered the social patterns that consist of "loosely linked individuals" (Gillies, 2011; p. 1); therefore, individualistic cultures will believe he or she sees themselves as independent from a "larger society" (Gillies, 2011; p. 1)

An individualist is motived by:

* "by their own preferences

* by their own needs and rights

* will give priority to their own personal goals over the goals of others

* will rationalize the advantages and disadvantages of associating with others" (Gillies, 2011; p. 1)

Individualistic Cultures can include France, Germany, United States, Australia, and United Kingdom. The cultural perspective on collectivism and individualism are terms that normally used to describe cultures. Society must understand that collectivist and individualist will have an aspect that unique. This unique aspect can be seen between collectivist such as Korean and Israeli Kibbutz (Gillies, 2011; p. 1). Research has proven to support cultural tendencies between collectivistic and individualism. In addition research show that individual's differences are accounted for. Example of this is "a person may live in a traditionally collectivistic culture although they may still express individualistic behaviors within that culture" (Gillies, 2011; p. 1). The second concept that will be defined is acculturation. According to the reading the definition of acculturation is "comprehends those phenomena which result when groups of individuals having different cultures come into continuous first-hand contact with subsequent changes in the original culture patterns of either or both groups" (Segall, Dasen, Berry, Poortinga, 1999; p. 1). Acculturation is considered to be the neutral term and in practice, acculturation will change, depending on the culture. There was a distinction made between psychological acculturation and acculturation.

This distinction is defined as; acculturation is considered to be the change in the culture of the individual and psychological acculturation is defined as a change in an individual way of thinking.

Cultural Differences

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