Assignment Number 2 Discussion/Writing Triandis Chapter 1 (1-28)

Student Name _____________________ Date due: 9-13-04 Psychology 360 Hal S. Bertilson, Ph.D.

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1.	The emphasis on cultural differences runs counter to the long dominant orientation that the United States should be the "melting pot." What are the negative consequences of this melting pot tradition? In school were you taught the melting pot tradition or a diversity model? Why do you think? (xii)
2.	Select a culture that you live in or have lived in. Describe that culture in terms of the cultural syndromes defined in Triandis Chapter 1. (2)
3.	What are your reactions to the Nacirema people. Why?
4.	Think about the various practices in your culture. Choose a practice that may be particularly interesting or problematical. What cultural practice have you chosen?
5.	Show how this cultural practice has characteristics of adaptive interactions, shared elements, and cultural transmission. (16-19)
6.	Show how this cultural practice (or a different cultural practice) is "superorganic." (21)
7.	Speculate on the influences on this cultural practice (or a different one) from ecology, culture, socialization, and personality. (22-26)
8.	Describe differences in this cultural practice in terms of Dimension I (variability in behavior) and Dimension II (amount of chatting that occurs). (26-27).
9.	What did you find most interesting in the reading for today? Why?