Acculturated Subjects Research Articles

Masculinities and the “colonial unconscious” in Shimmer Chinodya’s Dew in the Morning

This article examines the gendered dynamics surrounding masculinity and the “colonial unconscious” in Shimmer Chinodya’s novel, Dew in the Morning, in the context of its narrated and narrative times. These are situated in, and emanate from, the encounter between colonized black African subjects, namely migrants and indigenes, set apart by different degrees of assimilation of colonial modernity in an unnamed area in Northern Zimbabwe. The article argues that narration in the novel is mediated by a colonial unconscious that results in the discursive construction of binary dichotomies and masculinized hierarchies between these subjects. The empowerment of the migrant subjects mainly involves the appropriation of colonial modernity, and the “big man” model of African Masculinity, to inform their more profitable agrarian activities. The resultant differential economic empowerment between the migrant acculturated subjects and the local conservatives in a colonial setting creates hierarchies of masculinity between the former and the latter. The process of masculinization helps to reinforce patriarchal domination and/or exploitation of women, less powerful men, and the natural environment in this localized context. The narrative thus casts aspersions on the masculinities of both the migrants and the indigenes and their suitability to mediate the post-colonial realities of the novel’s narrative time.

Cosmovisão andina: princípios éticos em povos aculturados, endoculturados e transculturalizados

Abstract The political changes that have taken place in Bolivia in the last fifty years have led to modifications in the participation of subalternized groups and changes in the ethical appreciation of life. This study aims to establish the bioethical behaviors of the Andean cosmovision in acculturated, endoculturated and transculturated people in La Paz, Bolivia. It is a mixed, exploratory, ethnographic, cross-sectional, comparative, synchronic, diachronic and systematic research, in which a questionnaire validated by experts (Cronbach’s alpha 0.932) was applied to 399 people (5.3% acculturated; 73.9%, endoculturated and 20.8%, transculturated). The results contrasted by hermeneutics obtained five categories, of which the category relationality was independent of acculturation (p=0.262); while the categories ecological awareness, complementarity, reciprocity, concept of health, social model and community depended on each other (p=0.000). It was found that the acculturated subjects from the rural area presented greater knowledge of ancestral ethics. The promotion of educational policies related to ethics is recommended.

Acculturation levels and personalizing orthognathic surgery for the Asian American patient

This study was performed to investigate whether the level of acculturation among Asians living in the USA plays a significant role in their opinion of facial profiles. One hundred and ninety-eight Asian American subjects were asked to complete a pre-validated survey to measure their level of acculturation and to evaluate four sets of pictures that displayed a class II male, class II female, class III male, and class III female. Each set consisted of three lateral profile pictures: an initial unaltered photo, a picture simulating a flatter profile (orthodontic camouflage in class II; mandibular setback in class III), and a picture simulating a fuller profile (mandibular advancement in class II; maxillary advancement in class III). For the class II male, subjects who were more acculturated indicated that a flatter profile (orthodontic camouflage) was less attractive. For the class II female, higher acculturated subjects chose expansive treatment (mandibular advancement) as more aesthetic compared to the less acculturated subjects. Each of these scenarios had statistically significant odds ratios. In general, highly acculturated subjects preferred a fuller facial profile, while low acculturated subjects preferred a flatter facial profile appearance, except for the class III female profile, which did not follow this trend.

Acculturation and changes in dietary behavior and anthropometric measures among Chinese international students in South Korea.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESInternational students face dissimilar food environments, which could lead to changes in dietary behaviors and anthropometric characteristics between before and after migration. We sought to examine the risk factors, including dietary behaviors, acculturation, and demographic characteristics, related to overweight subjects residing in South Korea.SUBJECTS/METHODSWe conducted a cross-sectional study, collecting data from 142 Chinese international students (63 males, 79 females) in 2013.RESULTSThe mean age of the subjects was 25.4 years, and almost half of them immigrated to South Korea to earn a master's degree or doctoral degree (n = 70, 49.3%). Chinese international students showed an increase in skipping meals and eating speed, but a decrease in the frequency of fruit and vegetable consumption in South Korea compared to when they lived in China. We found a statistically significant increase in weight (69.4 → 73.9 kg) and BMI (22.4 → 23.8 kg/m2) for male subjects (P < 0.001) but no change for female subjects. We also found that overweight subjects were more likely to be highly acculturated and male compared with normal-weight subjects.CONCLUSIONAmong Chinese international students living in South Korea, male and more highly acculturated subjects are more vulnerable to weight gain. This study provides useful information to design tailored nutrition intervention programs for Chinese international students.

“From Apennines to Andes:” Does Body Mass Index Affect the Relationship Between Age and Blood Pressure?

See related article, pp 25–33 > … after all those days of travel across that endless plain, he saw before him a chain of mountains which reminded him of the Alps. They were the Andes … > > — Heart Novel , Edmondo De Amicis Even small differences in blood pressure (BP) significantly impact the lifetime risk for cardiovascular disease. In a meta-analysis involving ≈1 million adults with no previous vascular disease enrolled in 61 prospective observational studies, within each decade of age, even minor differences in the usual systolic or diastolic BPs were associated with different risks of mortality for stroke and ischemic heart disease. These age-specific associations were similar in men and women.1 A recent meta-analysis from 18 cohort studies showed a substantially lower lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease in subjects with BP <120/80 mm Hg and low-risk profile than in subjects with higher BP.2 Age is of major importance in determining BP levels, and the age-related rise in BP is primarily responsible for an increase in both incidence and prevalence of hypertension with aging. Some longitudinal surveys of the general population carried out in the past provided an opportunity to explore the relations between changes of BP and age. Studies from industrialized countries confirmed the presence of age-related changes in systolic and diastolic BPs.3–5 A report from 3 different longitudinal Swedish population studies for a total of 1304 men and 1246 women followed for ≤12 years showed that the mean systolic/diastolic BP in untreated subjects increased in men from 138/91 mm Hg at 50 years of age to 159/91 mm Hg at age 79 years and from 123/79 mm Hg at age 38 years to 168/93 mm Hg at age 70 years in women.3 Similar results were obtained from a representative …

Acculturation as a Determinant of Greek-American Family Values

A Greek Family Values questionnaire along with the Greek-American Acculturation Scale was administered to 338 Greek-American subjects. Based on responses to the Greek-American Acculturation Scale, subjects were placed into Traditional and Acculturated groups. The 64 items of the Family Values Scale were factor analyzed and a scree analysis produced four interpretable factors. Subjects in both the Traditional and the Acculturated groups tended to agree with items comprising the factors' Traditional Values and Family Honor. The groups tended to differ on most items comprising the Hierarchical Family Values factor and on some items comprising the Parental Control factor. The Acculturated subjects tended to reject the constructs rooted in Greek family values more than the traditional subjects, while women tended to be more rejecting of the values than were men. Evidence presented here also suggests that the Greek-American Acculturation Scale has sufficient validity and reliability to be used by researchers as an accurate measure of Greek-American acculturation.

Ethnic identity and acculturation in a young adult Mexican-origin population

The relations among ethnic identity, measured by the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM) and acculturation, as measured by the Acculturation Rating Scale-II (ARSMA-11) were studied in 1,367 freshmen college students, 87% of whom were of Mexican origin. The results strongly support the concept that ethnic identity and acculturation are related but separate processes. Ethnic identity scores were found to be highest in first generation, less acculturated subjects, and traditional acculturative types. Higher levels of acculturation were associated with less feelings of affirmation and belonging, and less feelings of ethnic identity achievement. The Pearson correlation coefficient obtained for Ethnic Identity and Acculturation was r = -.32 (p < .001). Ethnic Identity Achievement (r = -.25), Affirmation and Belonging (r = -.35), and Ethnic Behaviors (r = -.14), were all negatively correlated with linear acculturation. High Biculturals were found to obtain higher scores in ethnic identity than Low Biculturals, and High Biculturals were found to be oriented more toward others than those who were classified as Traditional or Assimilated. The findings suggest that one's sense of ethnic group membership diminishes with behavioral acculturation among Mexican Americans. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Ethnic identity and acculturation in a young adult Mexican‐origin population

The relations among ethnic identity, measured by the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM) and acculturation, as measured by the Acculturation Rating Scale-II (ARSMA-11) were studied in 1,367 freshmen college students, 87% of whom were of Mexican origin. The results strongly support the concept that ethnic identity and acculturation are related but separate processes. Ethnic identity scores were found to be highest in first generation, less acculturated subjects, and traditional acculturative types. Higher levels of acculturation were associated with less feelings of affirmation and belonging, and less feelings of ethnic identity achievement. The Pearson correlation coefficient obtained for Ethnic Identity and Acculturation was r = -.32 (p < .001). Ethnic Identity Achievement (r = -.25), Affirmation and Belonging (r = -.35), and Ethnic Behaviors (r = -.14), were all negatively correlated with linear acculturation. High Biculturals were found to obtain higher scores in ethnic identity than Low Biculturals, and High Biculturals were found to be oriented more toward others than those who were classified as Traditional or Assimilated. The findings suggest that one's sense of ethnic group membership diminishes with behavioral acculturation among Mexican Americans. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Attitudes toward rape: Gender and ethnic differences across Asian and Caucasian college students

Previous research has demonstrated that males have a greater tendency to hold erroneous beliefs about rape than females. However, limited cross-cultural studies, particularly of Asians, have been done in this area. The present investigation examined attitudes toward rape victims and belief in rape myths across 302 Asian and Caucasian college students. Subjects were recruited from two college campuses in Orange County, California, and were from predominantly middle-income backgrounds. None of the Caucasian students and a minority (36.25%) of the Asian subjects identified their particular ethnic group(s) of origin. Of the Asian subjects who specified their ethnicity, the majority were of Southeast Asian and Pacific Islander descent. Results indicated significant differences across ethnicity and gender. Asians were more likely to endorse negative attitudes toward rape victims and greater belief in rape myths than their Caucasian counterparts; males endorsed greater negativity toward rape victims and more acceptance of rape myths than did females. Asian subjects who endorsed greater acculturation (Western affiliation) differed significantly from low acculturated subjects on all dependent variables. Results are discussed in regard to cross-cultural differences and gender. Culturally sensitive rape awareness outreach targeting potentially high risk groups, such as Asian college students, is encouraged.

Social Errors in Four Cultures: Evidence about Universal Forms of Social Relations

To test the cross-cultural generality of relational-models theory, four studies examined the social errors of Bengali, Korean, Chinese, and Vai (from Liberia and Sierra Leone) subjects resident in the United States. Few of the subjects understood or spoke English well or participated substantially in American culture. Subjects reported errors in which they called someone they knew by the wrong name, misremembered with whom they had done something, or mistakenly directed an action at an inappropriate person. As predicted in all four cultures, people making these errors tend to substitute someone with whom they have the same basic kind of relationship. This effect of the four relational models is strongest in the least acculturated subjects. This effect is generally independent of tendencies to confuse people of the same age, gender, or ethnicity, or the tendency to confuse people whom subjects encounter in similar situations or refer to by the same role or kin term. These findings support the hypothesis that four universal relational categories underlie everyday social cognition across cultures.

ACCULTURATION INDICES AS A MEANS OF CONFIRMING CULTURAL DIFFERENCES

The acculturation of subjects from culture A to culture B can take three forms: the more acculturated subjects may make responses that are similar to the responses made by subjects from culture B (accommodation), they may go beyond B's position (overshooting), and they may move in the opposite direction from the position of the members of culture B (ethnic affirmation). The paper presents three sets of data concerning elements of subjective culture (role perceptions, behavioral intentions, and stereotypes), with subjects speaking Spanish and residing in the U.S. who are at three levels of acculturation. The data show that role perceptions and behavioral intentions are characterized mostly by accommodation, while stereotypes are characterized mostly by ethnic affirmation. A theoretical explanation of this pattern of results is that elements of subjective culture are linked to overt behavior both directly and indirectly. As members of culture A acculturate to culture B, their behavior becomes similar to the behavior of members of culture B. Those elements of subjective culture that are directly linked with this behavior change; however, those elements that are not directly linked do not change or even show ethnic affirmation. Testing of this theoretical formulation will require additional research.L'acculturation de sujets d'une culture A à une culture B peut prendre trois formes: Les sujets les plus acculturés peuvent donner des réponses qui sont semblables aux réponses données par des sujets de la culture B (accommodation), ils peuvent aller au‐delà de la position de la culture B (surpassement) et ils peuvent aller dans une direction opposée de celle des membres de la culture B (affirmation ethnique). Cet article présente trois groupes de données qui concernent des éléments de culture subjective (perception des rôles, intentions comportementales et stéréotypes), avec des sujets hispanophones résidant aux Etats‐Unis et des trois niveaux d'acculturation. Les données montrent que les perceptions de rôle et les intentions comportementales sont caractérisées surtout par l'accommodation tandis que les stéréotypes sont caractérisées surtout par l'affirmation ethnique. Une explication possible de ces résultats est que des éléments de culture subjective sont liés directement et indirectement au comportement ouvert. Le comportement de membres d'une culture A acculturés à une culture B devient similaire au comportement des membres de cette culture B. Les éléments de culture subjective qui sont directement liés à ce comportement changent; cependant les éléments qui ne lui sont pas liés restent inchangés ou présentent měme une affirmation ethnique. Des recherches supplémentaires seront nécessaires pour tester cette formulation théorique.

Acculturation and the MMPI Performance of Chicano and Anglo College Students

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and an acculturation inventory consisting of 15 semantic differential and sociocultural items were administered to Chicano college students. Factor analysis produced a four-dimensional measure of acculturation. The multivariate relationships between the multidimensional measure of acculturation and MMPI validity and clinical scales were investigated by means of canonical correlational analysis. Two of the canonical correlations were significant. Differences in language use, generation and citizenship of head of household (Nationality-Language factor) were related to differences on L, Hs, and MF scales, with less acculturated subjects scoring higher on L and Hs scales and lower on the MF scale. Differences in socioeconomic status (SES factor) and attitudes toward the concept "male" (Male-Potency factor) were related to differences on L, K, and Pd scales, with less acculturated students scoring lower on L and K, and higher on Pd. Implications for future cross-cultural research and the difficulties in the psychological assessment of the heterogeneous Chicano population are discussed.

Blood pressure, sodium intake, and sodium related hormones in the Yanomamo Indians, a "no-salt" culture.

The Yanomamo Indians are an unacculturated tribe inhabiting the tropical equatorial rain forest of northern Brazil and southern Venezuela who do not use salt in their diet. The group therefore presented an unusual opportunity to study the hormonal regulation of sodium metabolism in a culture with life-long extreme restriction of dietary sodium, with parallel observations on blood pressure. Blood pressures increased from the first to second decade but, in constrast to civilized populations, do not systematically increase during subsequent years of life. In twenty-four hour urine collections on adult male Indians, excretion of sodium averaged only 1 plus or minus 1.5 (SD) mEq. Simultaneous plasma renin activities were elevated and comparable to those of civilized subjects placed for brief periods on 10 mEq sodium diets. Similarly, excretion rates of aldosterone equaled those of acculturated subjects on low sodium diets. The findings suggest that the hormonal adjustments to life-long low sodium intakes are similar to those achieved in acute sodium restriction of civilized man. Parenthetically, these elevated levels of aldosterone and renin were probably the norm for man during much of human evolution and suggest that the values observed in civilized controls are depressed by an excessive salt intake in contemporary diets.