Psychology

Career Development & Counseling: CNSL 665 BXA

Assignment # 8

Due Date: Monday, November 7 or 14, 2011

Read Chapter 9: Career Counseling for Multicultural Groups Pages 210-234

Page 234: Supplementary Learning Exercises

Do: # 2, 3, 7

2)
How would you explain the difference between individualism and collectivism?

A) In individualistic societies, the goals of individuals are valued more highly than the goals of the group. Individuals are rewarded for behaving independently, making their own plans, and working toward achieving their personal goals. In these societies, individuals are hired and promoted largely based on individual achievement and qualifications. Examples of individualistic societies include the United States and Northern and Western European countries.

In collectivistic societies, on the other hand, the needs of the group are considered more important than those of the individual. In these societies, kinship ties are much stronger and may take precedence over expertise in matters of appointments and promotions. Collectivism is a value in Asian, African, as well as South American cultures.

Take, for example, the case of arranged marriages, still common in countries such as India or Pakistan. In those cultures, marriages are times to form family alliances. You marry whomever your family chooses or whoever is best for the family. In the U.S., on the other hand, you marry whomever you choose, the implication being that it’s your decision and you choose the one best for you. In this case, the welfare of the individual takes precedence over the welfare of the family. The same can happen in your professional life. A student from a collectivistic culture may be sent to the U.S. to study whatever his/her government or company needs and not necessarily what he/she wants to pursue; whatever the group needs (i.e., country or company) takes precedence over what the individual wants.

What socialization variables influenced the differences between them?

B) When you visit another country, you take along a lot more than what is in your suitcase. You will also be carrying your “cultural baggage”.

Your cultural baggage (or culture) is the collection of all the values, beliefs, concepts, and behaviors that you learned as a child and that will have a great effect on the way you see the world. Keep in mind that your cultural baggage is unique and will most certainly differ from that carried by members of your host culture.

Cultures vary in many ways; we have discussed just a few of those ways. It’s important that you realize, though, that the cultural dimensions presented here do not apply to all individuals within a culture. An individual’s behavior may also vary depending on the situation. In other words, treat the differences discussed here as general guidelines and understand that there will always be individuals who don’t fit the dimensions discussed here.

3) Take one or more of the five mayor cultural groups discussed in the chapter and develop cultural-specific issues that should be address in career counseling .

7) What do you consider to be the most difficult culturally competent skill to learn? Explain