American Cultural Patterns: A Cross-Cultural Perspective

Customer Reviews:

Insightful.......2007-08-16

A fantastic book for understanding how much our culture defines us. The authors do explain that they are addressing the main American culture (versus our rich group of subcultures). Additionally, they do not privilege one culture over another (as one reviewer stated). Their goal is to (1) explain how deeply our cultural responses are ingrained and (2)to help us recognize that our American outlook is not universal--amazingly there are other ways of perceiving the world than the way most Americans do. The book is not a quick, easy read--both authors are university professors (who probably use their book as one of their required readings ;D) Academics & those used to scholarly texts will get the most out of, everyone else will need to be patient and take it slow.

Useful but dry academic read.......2007-04-15

I read this book as part of a sociology class back in my college days. The intended audience is the college student, scholar, and academic. It was a difficult read for me because it's not intended for the layperson.

I'm an American citizen but was born in West Germany and spent the first nine years in that country. Both my parents are Korean. At 9 years of age we moved to the United States. I've more or less lived on the west coast since then. I was aware of cultural differences since my youth.

This book helped me to understand why native Americans (particularly WASPs), think and act the way they do. The book doesn't claim that all Americans behave the same way, but that as a group, they generally do tend think and behave in a similar manner. Communication differences do exist between Koreans, Germans, and Americans. Communication differences also exist between subgroups of a certain country. For example, minority groups such as black Americans, Hispanic Americans, and so forth, typically not only know how to communicate according to white mainstream cultural standards, but also their own.

If you are new to sociological terms, you'll need to look up a few words in a good dictionary. If you are used to academic reading, you should have no problem with this book. Please keep in mind that the focus is on explaining the white American majority communication pattern.

Perhaps their patterns would be useful for knitting..........2005-12-06

This book seeks to look at American cultural patterns within a cross-cultural perspective. A number of cultural stereotypes are compared with the American stereotype, particularly Japan. I say "cultural stereotypes" because this is what is primarily used. At times, I have to disagree completely with the authors' interpretation of the meaning behind the actions of the cross-cultural experience. For example they give some examples of difficulties the author(s) had in Japan and then they explain why this occurred, always giving the benefit of the doubt to the Japanese culture. However, if that same action would be seen as an insult by a Japanese person I really see no reason for the authors to explain it away using a Japanese cultural value. In other words, they fail to critically analyse different cultures either from within or from an American perspective. The end result is that you are to assume that other cultures always treat people with respect and it is only an American-centric view that would think otherwise. I am not American and can claim something of a dispassionate view on the subject.

At first glance this book appears to be a useful, quick read for those going overseas but in reality it is a tough slog through some unanalysed stereotypes. This book fails to get past surface meanings to the deeper reality of the cross-cultures with which it contrasts American culture.

Learning about the American way of thinking.......2000-06-23

I read this book as part of a class I took called socio-cultural perspectives on language and found this book very interesting and insightful. I teach German at an American university and since I am not American it is important to have an understanding of American culture. A lack of understanding can lead to miscommunications and frustrations both on part of the learner as well as the instructor. Though American Cultural Patterns is somewhat philosophical in its approach, it remains a very readable book with numerous comparisons between American and other cultures which are very helpful. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in knowing more about American culture, be it for professional or personal purposes.

Multicultural Counseling and Psychotherapy: A Lifespan Perspective (4th Edition)

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Easy reading

Multicultural Counseling and Psychotherapy: A Lifespan Perspective (4th Edition)
Leroy Baruth , and M. Lee Manning
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Theory and Practice of Group Counseling

ASIN: 0131706810

Book Description

Written to explore the lives and potential counseling problems of African American, Hispanic American, Asian American, European American, and Native American populations, this book considers the powerful influences of a client's developmental stage and cultural background. It maintains that integrating multicultural and lifespan considerations are crucial to counseling effectiveness. The authors advocate an understanding of individual differences–cultural, ethnic, racial, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic, and individual–in order for counselors to use existing strategies to their best advantage. Includes coverage on intervening with clients from counseling specific groups during various lifespan stages, and professional issues/future directions of the multicultural counseling field. It provides readers with an awareness of gender issues, how counseling issues differ for various age groups as well as providing current information related to counseling people with disabilities. For professionals in the field of counseling.

Customer Reviews:

Easy reading.......2007-07-15

This text was mandatory reading material for a graduate course I was taking;the text was very thorough and clear---easy to read and comprehensible format--

Family Violence in Cross-Cultural Perspective (Frontiers of Anthropology)

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Family Violence in Cross-Cultural Perspective (Frontiers of Anthropology)
David Levinson
Manufacturer: Sage Publications, Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Interpersonal Relations | Relationships | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Criminology | Crime & Criminals | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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Book Description

How prevalent is family violence outside the United States? Can policies and programs designed to prevent family violence in one culture be adapted to other cultures? Does a relationship exist between general violence and family violence in a given society? These are but a few of the questions addressed in this compelling, well-written volume. The author uses ethnographic data culled from 90 different societies to develop a global picture of the incidence, causes, and correlates of family violence. Through the use of both quantitative analysis and ethnographic description, Levinson tests the explanation/power of various current theories against worldwide family violence data. For anyone working in the area of family violence, this volume is a must. "I found the work to be exceptional. . . . I surely will want to adopt it for my graduate course in the Sociology of Deviance." --Bob Regoli, University of Colorado at Boulder "The book would be extremely useful. I know of no comparative work of this type now available. . . . The author writes well and is an accomplished scholar." --Mary Riege Laner, Arizona State University "This book can provide much illumination on world-wide family violence. The accounts given by ethnographers add life to the statistics given. . . . Anyone interested in broadening his or her knowledge of family violence would do well with this book." --Family Violence Bulletin "[Levinson] has made extensive use of the collection of cultural materials from the Human Relations Area files, to examine the question of how common family violence is in different societies, and what factors tend to make such violence more or less common in those societies. . . . He has reached a number of very important conclusions, [which] provide a solid basis for further research. . . . Useful in developing an understanding an of the way in which family violence occurs and may be helpful in programs to prevent the occurrence of such violence." --New Jersey Family Lawyer "Provides thought-provoking material about family violence, which will be of interest to many audiences. . . . This comparative study should help fill a critical gap." --Journal of Marriage and the Family "The author gives examples of societies where family violence is virtually unknown to disprove the view that it is somehow natural and inevitable. Because of this wider perspective on a common problem, this book is worthwhile reading for anyone dealing professionally with couples of families where violence is likely to occur." --Sexual and Marital Therapy "An important addition to the anthropological study of deviance; important to students interested in deviant behavior, family, and gender issues, and the social construction of violence." --NEXUS: The Canadian Journal of Anthropology "Those interested in examining family violence from a broader, cross-cultural perspective that will suggest hypotheses for understanding and preventing family violence at the societal level in our own culture will find Family Violence in Cross-Cultural Perspective to be most interesting reading." --Review and Expositor, Inc.

Understanding Cross-Cultural Psychology: Eastern and Western Perspectives

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Understanding Cross-Cultural Psychology: Eastern and Western Perspectives
Pittu D Laungani
Manufacturer: Sage Publications Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Social Psychology & Interactions | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

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Abnormal Psychology

ASIN: 0761971548

Book Description

This unique textbook eloquently introduces students to international perspectives on cross-cultural psychology (both Eastern and Western cultures), adopting a truly accessible narrative approach throughout. The main thrust of the book’s content is to discuss the framework of culture, family structure, health, and bereavement. Intercultural interaction—and all of their intersections—and consideration are also given to methodological and ethical research issues and their application to differing cultures.

Key Features:

Addresses international research on cross-cultural psychology unlike other books that focus purely on Western perspectives
A thoughtful yet provocative writing style that appropriately combines the narrative and the informative
An array of vignettes, case studies, and other text features which will really bring the book to life for students

Understanding Cross-Cultural Psychology provides a solid and interesting foundation for any undergraduate student with an interest in the cross-cultural aspects of psychology.

Emotion in Social Relations: Cultural, Group, and Interpersonal Perspectives

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Emotion in Social Relations: Cultural, Group, and Interpersonal Perspectives
Brian Parkinson , Agneta H Fischer , and Antony S. R. Manstead
Manufacturer: Psychology Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Emotions | Mental Health | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1841690465

Book Description

Within psychology, emotion is often treated as something private and personal. In contrast, this book tries to understand emotion from the 'outside,' by examining the everyday social settings in which it operates. Three levels of social influence are considered in decreasing order of inclusiveness, starting with the surrounding culture and subculture, moving on to the more delimited organization or group, and finally focusing on the interpersonal setting. At all these levels, emotion is influenced by social factors and has an impact on the way social life proceeds. For example, there are no direct equivalents in many cultures for some of the particular forms of emotion experienced in Western societies, suggesting that not all aspects of emotion are universal or biologically determined. Further, our various social identifications and allegiances partly determine what is emotionally relevant in a situation and how we respond to ingroup and outgroup members' emotions. Finally, emotions are usually occasioned by things that other people say, do, or have done to them, and often change the way interaction with those others proceeds. The book provides a critical review of existing theory and research on these topics from a social psychological perspective, and develops its own distinctive approach by recontextualizing emotion in an integrated cultural, organizational and relational world.

Global Perspectives in Family Therapy: Development, Practice, Trends

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Global Perspectives in Family Therapy: Development, Practice, Trends
Kit S. Ng
Manufacturer: Routledge
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1583913114

Book Description

Global Perspectives in Family Therapy: Development, Practice, Trends provides an overview of the development of family therapy throughout the globe and addresses the issues and concerns families are faced with in different cultural contexts. This book explores the diverse cultural approach to family therapy and suggests various clinical interventions that are helpful to clinicians dealing with families from different countries, including case studies, vignettes and research outcomes of family therapy overseas. Leading experts in the field explore the different aspects of family therapy in other 14 countries including the historical beginnings, current developments, training issues, theoretical variations, future trends, and research potential in family therapy.

Psychological Contracts in Employment: Cross-National Perspectives

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Psychological Contracts in Employment: Cross-National Perspectives

Manufacturer: Sage Publications, Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Organizational Behavior | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Human Resources & Personnel Management | Industries & Professions | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

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The Employment Relationship: Key Challenges for HR
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ASIN: 0761916814

Book Description

The relationships between workers and firms are changing worldwide. Nowhere is this more evident than in the psychological contracts of employment - that is, the obligations workers owe to their employer, and vice versa. Psychological Contracts In Employment contains the cross-national perspectives of organizational scholars from 13 countries to examine how societies differ in the nature of psychological contracts in employment and how global business initiatives are bridging these differences.

The author team assembled by Editors Denise Rousseau and René Schalk includes social scientists with deep knowledge of the particular societies they describe, and whose personal scholarship involves psychological contract phenomena locally as well as abroad. Readers of Denise Rousseau’s award-winning book Psychological Contracts in Organizations (Sage, 1995), will welcome the extension of this ground-breaking work into the global arena. Both the introductory and concluding chapters, written by the editors, provide several themes to structure and frame the book’s content. Every chapter in this volume maintains a clear focus on the importance of a cross-cultural perspective on psychological contracts for today’s managers, social scientists, and public policy makers.

Youth in Cities: A Cross-National Perspective (The Jacobs Foundation Series on Adolescence)

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Gold nuggets on youth development

Youth in Cities: A Cross-National Perspective (The Jacobs Foundation Series on Adolescence)

Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Adolescent Psychology | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Developmental Psychology | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0521005817

Book Description

There is growing awareness of the common difficulties experienced by poor young people who grow up in cities--crime and juvenile delinquency, limited access to education, the spread of infectious diseases, homelessness, and high rates of unprotected sex. They must contend with weak families and social institutions, poor labor market prospects, and for the most unfortunate, the ravages of gang war and the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Chapters in this volume present and assess comparative evidence on the well-being of urban youth and proven interventions for assuaging the deleterious effects of poverty.

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Customer Reviews:

Gold nuggets on youth development.......2004-08-21

This is a collection of chapters from different parts of the world about the welfare of children in cities. Rural to urban migration is ubiquitous, especially in developing countries but the promise of a better life is not often fulfilled. What I liked most about this collection is that many chapters reflected the youth's perspectives. Chapters by Jill Swart-Kruger and Louise Chawla on children's leadership and by Earls and Carlson on adolescents as collaborators address the always-difficult issue of how to "help" while retaining the "helpees" authority and dignity. Another chapter on youth's work addresses the critical issue of when, how, and under what circumstances is work harmful to children, and when can it be a beneficial learning experience. Although this is an academic book, aimed at researchers and service providers, anyone interested in children's development would enjoy reading about the challenges youth face and the many coping strategies they use.

Drinking Occasions: Comparative Perspectives on Alcohol & Culture (Series on Alcohol in Society)

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Drinking Occasions: Comparative Perspectives on Alcohol & Culture (Series on Alcohol in Society)
Dwight B. Heath
Manufacturer: Routledge
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Alcoholism | Recovery | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

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Customs & Traditions | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1583910476

Book Description

The main purpose of this book is to describe the variety of drinking occasions that exist around the world, primarily in modern, industrialized countries. As such, it celebrates the diversity of normal drinking behavior and illustrates a wide range of beneficial drinking patterns. Attention is also paid to the relations between drink and culture that prevail in non-Western societies and in developing countries. The aims of the book are twofold: to deal directly with the challenge of how to define responsible drinking in the face of the world's many different drinking styles, and to portray the many ways in which people have thought about or used alcohol as an integral part of their culture.

The contents includes chapters on when, where, how, what, and why people drink, as well as who drinks and who doesn't. By concentrating on descriptions of normal drinking occasions, it distinguishes these as clearly as possible from abnormal or inappropriate occasions. The outgrowth of more than forty years of research, Drinking Occasions demonstrates how well-integrated normal drinking occasions can be with many other aspects of human life. The challenge for alcohol policy around the world is to create an environment in which the beneficial potential of moderate drinking is maximized and the harmful potential of excessive drinking is minimized. Drinking Occasions contributes to this discussion by providing an unbiased account of what actually goes on when people decide to have a drink. The book is also a fascinating look at the various ways in which alcohol has become integrated into people's lives around the world.

Handbook of Multicultural Perspectives on Stress and Coping (International and Cultural Psychology)

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Handbook of Multicultural Perspectives on Stress and Coping (International and Cultural Psychology)

Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Clinical Psychology | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0387262369

Book Description

Has the developing world developed modern concepts of stress? Are coping methods the same around the globe? Such questions are not simple to answer, and until recently, few knew to ask them.

In recent years, Western psychologists have recognized that their prevailing views of psychology do not always translate worldwide—and that no culture has a monopoly on either stress or coping. The Handbook of Multicultural Perspectives on Stress and Coping was created to address this realization. This unique volume moves beyond simple comparisons of behaviors in other countries by clarifying critical concepts in stress and coping, analyzing and synthesizing vast amounts of global data, and identifying constructs and methodologies necessary for meaningful cross-cultural research.

An international, multiethnic panel of forty-five contributors presents elegant studies of stress, survival, and resilience as cultures evolve and countries interact, including:

• Personal transformation as a coping strategy
• Psychological skills that enhance intercultural adjustment
• Individual versus collectivist values in coping
• Buddhist and Taoist traditions in coping
• The cumulative effects of historical, environmental, and political stressors on nations in the Middle East
• Specific cross-cultural perspectives, from Latino-American families to Canadian aboriginal peoples to minority university students

The editors have assembled a vital store of knowledge, raising crucial implications for clinicians working with immigrant/international populations, and evaluating the current state of theory, research, and assessment. The Handbook documents major steps toward scientific advancement—and human understanding.

The breadth of cultural perspectives represented in this handbook is truly extraordinary as well as refreshing. The diversity of the chapters encourages the reader to think about stress and coping in ways that broaden and enrich the mind. The volume is an invaluable resource for stress and coping researchers who want to find new and provocative ways to think about their own research and the research of others.
- Susan Folkman, Ph.D.
Professor of Medicine
University of California – San Francisco

This is a comprehensive collection of papers on a topic of emerging importance in the cross-cultural literature. Stress and coping need to be considered by scholars from differing cultural backgrounds, since adaptation to the inevitable challenges of life must be socialized for all future participants in the cultural drama and this participation will be shaped by the historical and philosophical traditions informing each of those cultures. The editors have assembled a diverse array of competent scholars from many cultural traditions to address key issues in the literature, and thus provided us readers with the necessary guidance for future comparative research in this fundamental topic area.
- Michael Harris Bond, Ph.D.
President, International Association of Cross-Cultural Psychology

A cross-cultural book on coping has been long overdue and I cannot think of a better editor than Paul Wong to bring such a huge project to fruition. At last, with the publication of the Handbook of Multicultural Perspectives on Stress and Coping, the days of understanding coping without considering cross-cultural factors are over. Every researcher and practitioner who is interested in the topic of coping will want to read this magnificent volume.
- C. R. Snyder, Ph.D.
Wright Distinguished Professor of Clinical Psychology
University of Kansas, Lawrence

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