Psychology Chapterwise Reflection Assignment 2022

Running head: PSYCHOLOGY: CHAPTERWISE REFLECTION
PSYCHOLOGY
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author Note

e- book: Culture and Psychology
Chapter 1
Chapter 1 talks about the significance of cultural diversity in a nation and how the mass
as well as individual psychology grows and enhances (of course, with a set of challenges) in a
diverse environment. Chapter 1 explicitly describes what cultural psychology is, which is the
study of human behavior and thought process which is influenced by culture, norms and
traditions. As a student of psychology, I feel that the chapter is important for me. The chapter has
an in depth significance in my professional and personal life because, as it is known that human
beings are social animals, it has to be remembered that every action and reaction in human
society is more or less guided by the set of thoughts, beliefs and traditions they follow. With
every generation, culture shifts as culture is a volatile aspect. Therefore, culture influences
psychology to a greater extent. This chapter is important for psychology students because it gives
them a clear idea about the dimensions behind a man/woman’s thought process and behavior.
The chapter talks about how psychology influences cultural diversity in a nation and vice versa.
The chapter is interesting for me because it shows me the importance of psychology, which is
intervening in the lives of the people to make it better through a cultural bent of mind, where I,
as an aspiring psychologist would seek to understand varieties of culture without being
prejudiced and try to find solutions for culture influenced psychological distress.
Chapter 2
Chapter 2 talks in details about cross cultural research methods in the discipline of
psychology. The aim of this chapter is to make students and researchers understand the

importance and significance of cross cultural research methods in psychology, which means
initial testing of psychological differences in a given demography or population. The chapter is
important to be because I am an aspiring psychologist and for me, while carrying out
psychological research and experiments, such research methodologies would be of utmost
importance. Individualism versus collectivism is one of the approaches of cross cultural research
methodology in the discipline of psychology and by following such approach, my upcoming
researches would receive a different edge in the world of investigation and acadmicia. By
empirically applying those approaches to find out the outcomes of the research, I would be able
to approximately receive what I expect out of a research. Therefore, this chapter is of utmost
importance for me. The contents of the chapter clearly describes three stages or phases of cross
cultural psychological research, which are: method validation studies, indigenous cultural studies
and cross cultural comparisons. All the three types of approaches involve variable cultures and
then, with permutation and combination, try to find out a conclusion regarding the research
questions or statement. Learning these approaches would make my understanding of psychology
easy. As a psychology student, I have to learn to validate and respect all cultures and intensely
evaluate each culture to find out the inherent positive and negative aspects in them for a desired
outcome for the society.
Chapter 3
The name of chapter 3 in the book is “enculturation” where the authors have studied how
human beings are unique from the other animals in the mammal kingdom because they have the
unique ability of “cultural learning” (which is also known as enculturation in anthropological or
psychological terminologies). Chapter 3 has given me a clear idea about how human beings, with
their outstandingly unique capabilities, learn, unlearn and relearn behaviors and mannerisms

through cultural interaction in a society. It has helped me understand the difference between the
animals and humans, where I learnt that human beings have always been social animals and they
derive or inculcate thoughts, mentality and mindset with the help of the cultural atmosphere they
receive internally and externally. While carrying out my job as a psychologist, I would be able to
understand the origin of behaviors or behavioral patterns of my clients by studying about what
kind of cultural environment they are born and brought up with. Cultural learning is a two way
process where humans learn their as well as other’s thought process to come into a conclusion or
a statement, as the chapter states. The chapter has talked about how childhood cultural settings
act as an important part in a person’s life. Through the chapter, I have learnt certain aspects
about childhood psychology too. Therefore, I believe that this chapter is quite enriched with
good information that would help me to pursue and be successful in my career as a psychologist.
Chapter 4
Chapter 4 in this book is based on a much debated yet talked about topic in psychology,
which is none other than “cultural and developmental processes” in human beings. A human
being is shaped by his/her culture and it has to be remembered that as the development of
humans are continuous and not sporadic, similarly, culture is not stagnant but an ever evolving
developmental aspect of our life. Chapter 4 delves deep into the factors that cause developmental
processes that are fueled, accelerated and catalyzed by culture. The chapter brings about
debatable ideas in me where I question often a time that what makes human beings different
from each other? Is it their inherent biological disposition or is it the environment in which
he/she is brought up? The chapter gives me knowledge about how culture brings developmental
differences in a human’s life from birth, infancy to childhood ranging up to adulthood and old
age. Every stages in a man’s life brings in different psychological changes in him, which means

that every person understands the way of the world differently as they have different mindset. At
the same time, the different mindset of every individual is brought about by cultural differences
and contradictions, apart from the biological changes and disposition he has. Humans are shaped
by their psychological contradictions, according to the authors. The chapter has given me a
different insight altogether about how the world works with every individuals differently with
different psychological and mental mindset at different developmental levels.
Chapter 5
The chapter 5 describes an interesting fact that how culture shapes an individual’s
identity and self respect. The sense of self among the individuals is considered to be the post
important factor of psychological composition in him/her. According to my experience, I have
come across many people with varied personalities (even personality disorders) such as
narcissists, empaths and people with borderline personality disorders. Such rich experience has
given me a clear understanding about the concept of “self and identity” which is ingrained in
psychological composition of a person. The chapter talks about how there is a strong relationship
between culture, self and identity and that how the idea of self differs from person to person and
culture to culture. For instance, an Indian woman’s self identity might be different for her when
compared to a Polish woman. Self esteem is also ingrained in how cultural values treat people.
What I have experienced is that certain cultures that have misogynistic traits lead to depression
and low self esteem of women and girls in such communities. Self enhancement is also a cultural
factor. With a complete shift of culture and globalization, self enhancement has become an
integral part in a person’s life which is accelerated by developed and improved cultural values
and morals that have evolved in the present times. To be precise, the book says that self concept
is deep rooted in cultural milieu where the person tends to think about his/her existence aligned

with the culture or the way of life he/she leads. To conclude, it can be said that this chapter will
help me introspect in not only my client’s issues, but also my identity issues while dealing with
psychological dilemma or problems.
Chapter 6
Chapter 6 is important for my personal and professional life because it talks about how
culture influences personality and vice versa. To begin with, what I believe personality is
actually the way a person carries him/her in the society. The chapter is important for me because
it has given me an insight about how cross cultural research in psychology can also be studied on
the basis of personality development in the demography. Personality, which is also defined as
enduring behavioral and cognitive characteristics, traits and predispositions that a person exhibits
in different situations in the society is influenced by culture. A culture holistically shapes and
builds a man or a woman. As far as my knowledge goes, an Indian woman, who is always taught
to be modest, shows the personality traits of prudence and modesty in her way of life and
mannerisms. Mexican society, which is characterized by toxic masculinity and machismo fueled
by inherent misogyny leads its men to misbehave and create gender crimes in different societal
situations. Therefore, the concepts of the chapter are clear that talks about how cultural influence
shapes a man or a woman and his/her personality. The chapter also talks about indigenous
personalities that influence people from different ethnic groups, thereby, influencing diversity in
the society. It is important for me to understand and develop my psychological horizons in a
better and a scientific way.

WAKING UP WHITE
The article “Waking up white” has worked as an eye- opener in my personal life. I am a
Korean by birth and race, even though I consider race as a social construct and not just a mere
physical or biological construct. I believe that race is just a different phenotype that every
individual in the world in different parts of the world have due to the evolution of mankind
which has led to different physical characteristics due to adaptability measures of the nature.
Race is more hyped and falsified in the society where certain ethnic communities believe in
racial supremacy and dominates the other races without any scientific or logical reasons.
“Waking up white” is an article that talks about the blatant racism prevalent in European society
due to their inherent toxic idea of Eurocentrism and white supremacy. The “waking up white”
talks about how an average white man/ woman, even though does not practice white supremacy,
do laugh out loud while listening to racist jokes and slurs. Being a Korean myself and an
ethnically minority in the country where I live for my education and career, listening to casual
racist slurs and jokes have become a part and parcel in my life. I have taken it lightly, but
somehow I believe that accepting it the way it is might be completely wrong. Being a
psychology student, I have tried to identify and understand the problems with the whites
regarding why are they filled with racial bigotry. The answer that came into my mind after going
through the study materials of my course is that “cultural values” that are dominant in a society
acts as an important factor in shaping a person’s mindset and personality. Every human being is
born as a freethinker (that is what I believe and strongly advocate) but the societal conditions of
their upbringing brings changes in the way they see the world and “others”. The very beginning
of the “otherization” in the society, whose root cause is racial segregation, including invisible

apartheid, makes a child racially inclined and filled with stereotypes and bigotry. As an ardent
psychology enthusiast and student, I believe that
Personality, (no matter how sexist, racist or misanthropist that can be,) which is also defined as
enduring behavioral and cognitive characteristics, traits and predispositions that a person exhibits
in different situations in the society is influenced by culture. A culture holistically shapes and
builds a man or a woman. I believe that as a powerful nation, the United States can work more
seriously in eradicating such toxic behavior and mindset by understanding the psychology behind
such racist personality and making provisions to change the mindset through various race neutral
workshops, movies, plays, poems and television series. The curriculum of the students of the
United States must also contain contents that would advocate for heterogeneous and organic
society rather than boasting in favor of xenophobia and racist mindset.
CHRISTIAN PRIVILAGE
The journal “Christian Privilege” talks about the extra benefits Christians out of their
religious communities, such as “not going to school in specific religious ceremonies of Christian
faith” and “being financially successful without people criticizing about the Christians and the
greed of their faith.” The main aim of the journal is to question the readers about the authenticity
and usefulness of religions. As a psychology student, I understand the fact that since human
beings are social animals, they search for a meaning in their life and a community they want to
belong to for getting an identity in the society. A man/ woman cannot live in a society
anonymously. It might be harmful for their physical and mental health. My intentions are not
propagating my religion, as I am a Christian by myself but to make it aware that religion has
certain positive aspects too. Being a religious and faithful Christian, I believe that God or

Almighty is an abstract idea which has every right to get respected from different individuals.
Keeping aside the concept of privilege, I should also say that, a person who is religious or
secular depends upon the choice he/she makes. Therefore, being religious or atheist depends
upon the individuals but every thoughts and faiths have their own positivity and privilege.
ALLIES TO YOUNG PEOPLE
The article is an important one for me as it talks about how to tackle young people in order to
make them organized in their life. As I am an aspiring psychology student, I believe that I should
have the potential to give counseling to all the young clients I have in my professional life, or
rather, develop the potential to counsel and guide them properly. Young people are often
mistaken to be irresponsible and impulsive, sometimes passive about their life and issues.
Nowadays, young people or young generation needs more attention than the previous generation
because of the increasing competition in studies, professional life and ever evolving complicated
personal life. The respective article has taught me how to effectively and strategically deal with
the young people in making them more organized. The article teaches me how to develop a good
rapport with the young people by declaring a fact that “young people give better performance
when they identify themselves in a group” The article has talked about how the young people can
be motivated to do their work in an organized way by giving them a comfortable and amicable
situation of work. Another issue with the young people is that the society says that they are not
“complete humans” till now and so their point of views is not worthy to be listened to or
counted. Young people tend to internalize such social stereotypes among themselves and
therefore, might not feel enough confident to carry out their duties with proper organizational
skills, the article says. It is true to a great extent but the article has also stated how to instill
certain streaks of responsibility and duties among the young people. For instance, if there has to

be a meeting where the young people are needed to be present, they must be remembered twice
and thrice by calling them up that the meeting is important and that their presence in the meeting
is needed and would be highly solicited. Such examples have given me a deeper insight about the
behavioral characteristics of the young people or adolescents. Applying my psychological
knowledge so far, I can say that adolescents are sensitive to the environment where they are
brought up till they become adult, and it roughly comes under developmental psychology. By
applying the theories and concepts of developmental psychology, it has been very clear to me
that the way the parents, caregivers, mentors and guides behave with the adolescents, their
thought processes are also shaped in the same way. Adolescents have been repeatedly told that
they are lesser than adults, therefore, they develop a passive and a dependable attitude towards
life and the other important parts of life. Providing the adolescents the knowledge of getting
things organized is the first step to make them holistically matured. As a counselor, I have to
endure with the hesitance and reluctance of the adolescents, according to the author of the article.
A counselor has to be an unprejudiced observer. It might be offending sometimes to learn that
the adolescents might not be reverting me back in the counseling sessions or meetings, or they
might not call me back. But it is a common phenomenon among the upcoming millennial and as
a counselor, I have to understand that my job is to take care of the psychological and
developmental needs of the young people so such actions can be avoided by me. Such advice has
become an eye opener for me. It is due to the fact that I am an egoist person and I generally do
not entertain people who do not respond me accordingly. By getting into a discipline like
psychology, I have understood that having an ego would hamper my career and the way I see
people. A mental health professional has to be more empathetic towards others than the other
common people around. Rather than finding faults in the adolescents, I can always provide them

with positive thinking and aspects in order to make them understand how important they are.
Adolescent boys and girls face different issues and have demands for different psychological
needs. To become a successful psychologist, I would need empathy and perseverance with them
which is well written in the journal, therefore, the journal is significant for me in my personal
and professional development.
HOW TO STOP HIDING YOUR PRIVILEGE AND USE IT FOR SOCIAL CHANGE
The article is about social status a person acquires through the profession and money they make.
The article is useful for me because it talks about how hiding a person’s social privilege and
utilizing the social privilege for bringing change in the society is a noble act. As a psychologist, I
believe that I have to shed the prejudices of my privilege of belonging to a fairly upper middle
class family so that I can well understand socio- cultural behavior of my clients who belong from
the various strata of life. I can utilize the article to identify what kind of prejudices I have
according to the class I belong to and subsequently, dethroning them to become a successful
psychologist in near future.
FEMINISM
The article is eye opener as it talks about the falsified notion of feminism among the people in
the United States. The article states that what most of the people believe in the United States is
that feminism means women’s liberation and woman’s quest to become like a man. But actually,
feminism means equality of both the sexes, feminine and masculine. The article is an eye opener
for me as a psychologist because since I have to deal with a lot of men, women and diverse
gender clients, I need to learn what sexism is and counsel them by rational mindset and not

“sexist” or “gender segregated mindset. The article has helped me understand the importance of
feminism in psychology and counseling psychology altogether.
“POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER LEAVES SCARS INSIDE” IRAG VETERAN
SAYS
The article is important for me as a psychologist because it delves deep into the matter of PTSD
(Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) through multiple dimensions. It has to be noted that people
suffer from post traumatic stress disorders due to various reasons, such as stress, anxiety,
witnessing a crime, attack or death. The article tries to understand what is that aspect that
endangers a human being mentally and psychologically that makes a human go through
traumatic events and develop post traumatic stress disorder. The article talks about the wounds
deep inside our mind, more than the physical wounds that cause PTSD. As a psychologist, the
article will help me deal with patients suffering from PTSD as I would be able to understand the
reasons behind such behavior or disorder intensely and better.