Culture-specific Approach Research Articles

The convergence of public sphere and state advocacy

Abstract In 2021, China’s entertainment industry experienced a series of unusual argumentative controversies followed by the creation of the Qing Lang movement initiated by the Chinese government that called for tackling irregularities in the industry. With strong support from the Chinese public, the Qing Lang movement presents an intriguing case to examine a new model of social argument representing both the public and state interest in resolving social problems in the Chinese version of the public sphere. The paper identifies key characteristics defining a reciprocal model of social activism in state-sponsored actions in China exemplified by the Qing Lang movement. The paper also argues for the value of a culture-specific approach to understanding public sphere and social activism and clarifies the function of argument in Chinese society.

Indian American undergraduates’ well-being: A psychosociocultural understanding of a culture-specific approach to congruity of values.

Indian American undergraduates’ well-being: A psychosociocultural understanding of a culture-specific approach to congruity of values.

Adaptation of Intercultural Sensitivity Scale for Turkish medical students

Health care professions, especially physicians and physician candidates should be more competent in culture-specific approach. This study aims to verify the validity and reliability of the “Intercultural Sensitivity Scale” developed by Chen and Starosta (which is the most frequently-used tool while conducting the intercultural sensitivity research) among Turkish medical students. In order to demonstrate the construct validity of the scale, exploratory factor analysis based on polychoric correlation was applied together with the oblique rotation method, and first and second order confirmatory factor analysis based on polychoric correlations was applied to confirm the factor structure of the scale. Cronbach’s alpha and Spearman-Brown coefficients, were calculated to assess the reliability of the scale. Of the participants (n = 667), 52.6% were female and mean age was 24.2 ± 1.4. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the whole scale was 0.906. The Spearman-Brown coefficients for the whole scale and its sub-dimensions show that reliability values were also sufficient. According to the results of first and second order confirmatory factor analysis, fit indices demonstrated a very good model fit. These results confirmed that the scale consisting of 23-items and 5-dimensions is a valid and reliable tool and can be used for Grade V and VI Turkish medical students. It is considered that integrating intercultural sensitivity training in undergraduate education of physicians would help to increase the number of physicians who are sensitive to different cultures and thus contribute to reducing disparities in healthcare provision.

Revisiting Power in a Southeast Asian Landscape – Discussant’s Comments

ABSTRACT Going back a half century to the classic essays of Benedict Anderson (‘The Idea of Power in Javanese Culture’) and Lucien Hanks (‘Merit and Power in the Thai Social Order’) shows both the value and the limitations of anthropology’s move to meaning and increasingly intensive, site-specific fieldwork. While Anderson and Hanks pioneered the study of indigenous meanings, an approach which came to dominate Southeast Asian anthropology and area studies, they did so from a broadly comparative regional perspective unlike today’s culture-specific approach and its stand-alone ethnographies. Their breadth suggests why Anderson and Hanks’s insights into just two cultures have enlightened research all across the region and beyond. Here, to build on their work, our analysis suggests Javanese and Thai notions of power are variations on a regional complex wherein Southeast Asians domesticate power to lead a safe, prosperous and moral life in an otherwise dangerous and amoral world. More broadly, Anderson and Hanks’s essays exemplify how a regional perspective can help us improve as fieldworkers and advance as theorists. In the end, better ethnography will require better ethnology and area studies.

Investigation of Intercultural Sensitivity and Ethnocentrism Levels of Midwife Candidates in Turkey Sample: A Cross-Sectional Study.

As women experience cultural practices during their lifespan, midwives' displaying a culture-specific approach from the school years is of great importance for the quality of care. This study was conducted to determine the intercultural sensitivity and ethnocentrism levels of midwife candidates in Turkey. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,616 midwifery students who studied in seven different regions of Turkey in the 2018-2019 academic year. Data were collected through a questionnaire, Intercultural Sensitivity Scale, and Ethnocentrism Scale. It was determined that the variables such as the region where the midwife candidates grew up and location of the university, their years at school, and having friends from different cultures were effective on their intercultural sensitivity and ethnocentrism levels (p < .05). Consequently, it is concluded that international student exchange programs and culture-sensitive-based care approaches during midwifery education will increase the intercultural sensitivity levels of students and contribute to reducing ethnocentrism levels.

“God is my bosom buddy”: experiencing faith and the role of ethnicity in Roma and Kaale missionizing among Roma in Estonia and Latvia

This article draws on ethnographic fieldwork materials in the form of participant observation and interviews and looks at the mission encounter between the Kaale (Finnish Roma) missionaries and the traditionally Lutheran, Russian Orthodox or Catholic Roma in Estonia and the Vidzeme region in Latvia. The aim of the article is to discuss the role of ethnicity in the mission work conducted by the Kaale and by the local Roma. I demonstrate how the usage of ethnic elements and a culture specific approach in mission relates to bodily and emotionally experiencing God’s presence among the born-again Roma community in this region and how it impacts the success of the mission. Pentecostalism is known for its promise of equality of all peoples before God and at the same time for accommodating its proselytizing message to different conditions, fitting its mission to the local people and situation. This becomes also apparent in the current case where in the multicultural and multilingual mission setting sensations and aesthetics take up an especially important role.

Positive transformation towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution: empirical evidence from a technology company

This article explores the question of how organizations can transform constructively and positively towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). It presents insights into the state of the art on 4IR, positive psychology movements PP1.0 and PP2.0 and particularly on German organizations in the 4IR within the South African context. The study uses a qualitative research approach and presents findings from a study conducted with 16 managers across top, middle and lower management levels in a German engineering organization, based in South Africa, operating in Southern Africa. Findings, discussion, conclusions and recommendations provide insights into emerging themes on the 4IR from perspectives that take the context of discourses on the 4IR in developed and developing countries into account. Findings show the importance of five main themes when transforming into the 4IR: (1) Employee management; (2) Innovative technological and systemic change; (3) Work organization; (4) Environment and (5) Network and cooperation. Human communication and connectivity and a balanced human–machine interaction seem to build the core framework for constructive socio-technological change and a meaningful work environment. Thereby, a focus on the positive transformation requires working through the challenges and dark sides of the 4IR as well as a contextual and culture-specific approach to finally create a meaningful, healthy and optimal functioning work environment for the employees.

Нерадикальная «Радикальная ортодоксия»: борьба с секуляризмом методами постмодернизма (на примере работ Дж. Милбанка)

The article analyzes the features of the methodology of the “Radical Orthodoxy” – philosophical and theological movement for the deconstruction of secular “meta-discourse” (by the example of the works of J. Milbank). The author notes that “Radical Orthodoxy” resembles Russian conservative and traditionalist discourse, whereupon it attracts lately the interest of the Russian academic audience. However, this movement is unfolding in a postmodern context, which complicates its identification with Russian traditionalism and religious-conservative approaches. The article notes that the definition of «secular» in “Radical Orthodoxy” is ambiguous. In addition, there are three postmodern features in Milbank's style of presentation: linguocentricity, deliberate complexity, nominalist character. The author explains the postmodernist style of “Radical Orthodoxy” basic texts by the two intentions of its creators: first, the desire to non-radically revise the history of the Modern time in order to preserve the modern construction of global Westcentricity while introducing just soft changes in its content; second, by the desire of the “Radical Orthodoxy” movement participants to protect themselves from marginalization. The author refers to the culture-specific approach (perspective) for the analysis of the “Radical Orthodoxy”. The author comes to the conclusion that the “Radical Orthodoxy” is not an anti-secular, but rather a different-secular movement, which seeks to reconsider secularism peacefully, maintaining the functioning of its structure and rebranding it in Christian forms.

School Grammars with Everyday Vocabulary: Suggestion for a Culture Specific Approach, with Sidaamu Afoo as an Example

This contribution deals with the problematic area of specialised nomenclature in school material for languages that are comparatively new as languages of instruction. It concerns grammar, although in principle the same problems arise for those who write school materials for mathematics, chemistry, physics or any other subject taught in school. The nature of this contribution, however, is not the description of a research project in the normal sense, so it is not built up around a well formulated research question. Nonetheless, a working hypothesis can be seen to underlie the discussion. It is a reasonable assumption that if a grammatical terminology is created hastily and with quick ad hoc solutions based on English or a dominant language, it may impede transparency and learning in both the short and longer term. Consequently the hypothesis is that one finds the best solutions by starting from the local culture and everyday words, discussing and evaluating their merits as grammatical terms, and only resorting to loans or foreign influence if that approach fails. The suggestions that form this hypothesis are found in (1).

Ethical implications of culturally (in)sensitive practice in psychotherapy

Until the 80s of the 20th century psychotherapy was based on the assumption that the universality of human experience was of greater importance for the psychotherapy process than specific cultural heritage of the client and the therapist, and therefore it was considered that psychotherapeutic methods are effective regardless of cultural differences. Research in the field of psychotherapy has demonstrated that it is not, so a new multicultural or culture-specific approach was born. This approach recognizes culture as a central and fundamental component for all possible interventions in psychotherapy. Based on the analysis of this approach and ethical problems in working with clients of different cultural background, the author proposes guidelines for ethical, culturally sensitive practices, especially in multicultural environments in Serbia.

A Cultural Perspective on Intergroup Relations and Social Identity

Violent instances of intergroup conflict in recent memory have usually involved cultural groups, but theory and research on the psychology of intergroup relations is largely culture free. The two most prominent theories, realistic group conflict theory (RGCT) and social identity/self-categorization theory (SIT/SCT) provide fundamental insight into basic processes in intergroup relations: (1) that behavior in intergroup situations is qualitatively different than that involved in interpersonal situations (including transformations of the self and relationships with others), (2) competition over material resources is the driver for intergroup conflict, but psychological identification with a group is sufficient to produce ingroup favoritism, and (3) social comparisons between groups provide psychological fuel for intergroup conflict. Social representations of history, encompassing shared knowledge about history and its meaning distributed across different groups, can be used to derive a more culture-specific approach to understanding intergroup relations. Empirical results show that popular history is a story about politics and war, and that historical symbols are part of cultural narratives that can be used to mobilize public opinion and construct national identity. Universal processes of intergroup relations and social identity are constrained by societal belief structures, which in turn are responsive to the identity and generational processes involved in collective remembering.

A Cross-Cultural Study of Environmental Values and Their Effect on the Environmental Behavior of Children

Environmental values (EV) are regarded as significant precursors for environmental behavior (EB) by many scholars. The present study addresses the issue of the invariance of EV (tapped by the two-dimensional model of ecological values), and their effect on EB, across cultural contexts. In all, a total of 1,833 ten- to thirteen-year-old children from Flanders, Guatemala, and Vietnam participated. The results show that EV and EB can be measured through a partially invariant model; children from the different groups differ in their EV and EB. Furthermore, the results show that the effect of EV on EB is different across cultural contexts. These results have implications for (among others) environmental education initiatives that aim for behavior change. Such initiatives need to take into account the target group, which—as illustrated by the results—shows different pathways toward reaching EB. Practitioners would therefore benefit from a culture-specific approach to designing environmental education.

Emergent directions for human resource management research in Latin America

Research in this special issue converges around important HRM challenges that will shape the direction of academic research in the future. We argue that the nature of these challenges, such as balancing global and local HRM approaches, focusing on people while aiming at performance and, in general, managing in a hybrid cultural and economic system, requires reframing strategic HR in terms of social contract theories. Such theories consider multiple stakeholders and focus research on the employment relationship as unit of analysis, which fits well with the pre-eminence of person-centred management over merely profit-centred goals. We propose theoretically anchored research to guide strategic HRM practices, taking into account Latin America's culture-specific humanistic approach and its labour market institutions.

LATINO HEALTH IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM: THE NEED FOR A CULTURE-CENTERED APPROACH

Studies have consistently shown race and ethnicity to be important determinants of health. The specific nature of this influence, however, is still a mystery. In the new millennium, racial and ethnic differentials in health are bound to become a major focus in medical sociology not only because of their persistence but also because of the demographic changes taking place in the United States. It is estimated that racial and ethnic minorities are expected to increase from the current level of 25 % of all Americans to 40 % by 2030 and that minority groups will make up more than half of the U.S. population by 2050. Thus, overcoming health disparities attributable to race and ethnicity has become more urgent in ensuring good health for the nation. This article suggests that analyses of the health status of Latinos, the second largest minority group in the country, must attend to cultural factors. The need for a culture-specific approach to Latino health is indispensable to such discourses in medical sociology.

Classroom and Curriculum Accommodations for Native American Students

This article explores ways to enhance the classroom and the curriculum to meet the learning and social needs of Native American students. By using a culture-specific approach, the teacher helps to improve academic performance, social understanding, and acceptance by peers. Achieving these outcomes is a primary focus of this article.

Group Treatment of Traumatized Cambodian Women: A Culture-Specific Approach

Over the past 20 years, nearly 150,000 Cambodian refugees have relocated to the United States. Refugees differ from immigrants in several important ways. Whereas refugees leave their countries of origin against their will because of political or religious persecution, immigrants usually decide to relocate for economic reasons. More often than not, refugees experience dangerous conditions over the course of their travels, whereas immigrants can usually plan their travel more safely (Drachman, 1995; Fong & Mokuau, 1994; Potocky & McDonald, 1995). As refugees, most Cambodians were subjected to multiple traumatic experiences before their arrival in the United States. Empirical studies reported that Cambodian women experienced the most extensive trauma (Carlson & Rosser-Hogan, 1993; Mollica, Wyshak, & Lavelle, 1987; Rozee & VanBoemel, 1989). These women were victims of physical violence, often of a sexual nature, perpetrated by their fellow citizens. They were exposed to multiple forms of emotional abuse, torture, and forced labor (Bernier, 1992; Bromley, 1987; Lee & Lu, 1989). Many witnessed the deaths or executions of their husbands, and most lost at least one, and often several, of their children. Extended kinship networks, so much a part of their cultural heritage and their everyday functioning, were destroyed. Consequently, many of these women developed serious psychosocial and psychological problems, often manifested in physical complaints. However, symptoms frequently did not appear until after initial resettlement tasks were accomplished. Only then did the awareness of the depth of losses become apparent and grief and sadness settle in (Beiser, 1988; Beiser, Turner, & Ganesan, 1989; Eisenbruch, 1991). Simultaneously, the women were faced with adjusting to the demands of a new and foreign environment. Opportunities to regain prior levels of psychosocial functioning and economic self-sufficiency were, and continue to be, hindered by postmigration stressors. Such stressors include learning a new language, adjusting to new roles, learning new skills, and entering mainstream vocational and educational programs (Bernier; 1992; Chung & Bemak, 1996; Nicholson, 1997; Pernice & Brook, 1996). Thus, difficulties stemming from both pre- and postmigration stressors are an integral part of the current experiences of dislocated Cambodian women. Many suffer from anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well as other mental health problems (Bromley, 1987; Carlson & Rosser-Hogan, 1993, 1994; Mollica et al., 1987; Nicholson, 1997; Sundquist & Johansson, 1996). These women may need mental health services that often are underused because of language barriers and differences between U.S. and Cambodian values (Canda & Phaobtong, 1992; LeDoux & Stephens, 1992; Strober, 1994). Because there is no comparable human services system in Cambodia, most Cambodians view requesting human services as an inappropriate and shameful solution to problem solving (Bromley, 1987; McQuaide, 1989; Nicholson, 1989). Therefore, the challenge for human services practitioners is to innovate, refine, and advance therapeutic interventions that will enhance the effectiveness of service delivery for this at-risk population. This article describes the development and implementation of a culturally sensitive group intervention program based on the needs of Cambodian women. Many were isolated, lacked family supports, and were deprived of normal socialization and peer group relationships. Consequently, we, the group leaders - an American social worker and a bilingual Cambodian social worker - believed that a structured support group would allow the women to begin to rebuild their lives with the help of others who shared common ties to their past and to their homeland. A strengths perspective was coupled with theoretical constructs from social constructivism to enhance internal feelings of safety and security, increase feelings of empowerment, aid in the acculturation process by emphasizing both client and community strengths, and link the women with ethnic community support (Boehnlein & Kinzie, 1995; Fong & Mokuau, 1994; Strober, 1994). …

All Business Students Need to know the Same Things!

This article challenges the conventional approach to cross-cultural communication teaching that instructs students to adapt their communication styles to different cultures by providing them with details about the particular practices of these cultures. It argues for an approach that focuses on common principles of effective communication by pointing out some limitations of the current culture-specific approach and presenting a pilot study that indicates the commonality of communication needs. It suggests some ways to find a different approach for studying international communication and shows that some current research is, in fact, moving in that direction.

Italian signs, American streets: the evolution of Italian American narrative

In the first major critical reading of Italian American narrative literature in two decades, Fred L. Gardaphe presents an interpretive overview of Italian American literary history. Examining works from the turn of the twentieth century to the present, he develops a new perspective variously historical, philosophical, and cultural by which American writers of Italian descent can be read, increasing the discursive power of an ethnic literature that has received too little serious critical attention. Gardaphe draws on Vico's concept of history, as well as the work of Gramsci, to establish a culture-specific approach to reading Italian American literature. He begins his historical reading with narratives informed by oral traditions, primarily autobiography and autobiographical fiction written by immigrants. From these earliest social realist narratives, Gardaphe traces the evolution of this literature through tales of the godfather and the mafia; the reinvention of ethnicity in works by Helen Barolini, Tina DeRosa, and Carole Maso; the move beyond ethnicity in fiction by Don DeLillo and Gilbert Sorrentino; to the short fiction of Mary Caponegro, which points to a new direction in Italian American writing. The result is both an ethnography of Italian American narrative and a model for reading the signs that mark the self-fashioning inherent in literary and cultural production. Italian Signs, American Streets promises to become a landmark in the understanding of literature and culture produced by Italian Americans. It will be of interest not only to students, critics, and scholars of this ethnic experience, but also to those concerned with American literature in general and the place of immigrant and ethnic literatures within that wide framework.

Culture-specific approach to the study of individualism/collectivism

Studies in individualism/collectivism (Triandis, McCusker & Hui, 1990) have revealed a considerable cultural connotation of the phenomena. The aim of our investigation was to develop a cross-culturally equivalent psychometric instrument for measuring individualistic versus collectivistic orientation on the basis of the shared representation of individualism/collectivism among Bulgarians. By applying the psychosemantic methodology we extracted seven concepts which form the individualism/collectivism dimension. The proposed instrument, labelled Bulgarian individualism/collectivism (BIC) scale, consists of a preference choice between the two words in every possible pair of the seven words. Validation studies included investigation of the relationship between the BIC scale and value orientation, between the BIC scale and general views of society and political preferences, and between the BIC scale and behavioural intentions such as the intention to start a business of one's own, the intention to emigrate, and the choice of professional vocation. Results were compared with the relationship of these variables to other measures of individualism/collectivism (scales of Triandis and Brown). The results suggest that the BIC scale reveals a more global orientation, whereas the other scales are concerned with specific everyday behaviours. A comparison between Bulgarian and American samples revealed some specificity in the Bulgarian social representation of individualism/collectivism, which can be explained by the extremely collectivistic norms of the former communist society in Bulgaria.

Teaching culture-specific counseling using microtraining technology

Counseling theory tends to be White, Western and male in origin and orientation. Culture-specific counseling is proposed as an alternative to cross-cultural and multicultural approaches. In the culture-specific approach, we start with the culture and its peoples and search out natural helping styles. Rather than transforming Western theory to ‘fit’ a new culture, the effort is to focus on the specifics and needs of that culture. This preliminary study applies anthropological constructs and the methods of microtraining seeking to discover a more culturally sensitive approach to conceptualization of counseling theory, training in counseling skills and knowledge, and in the use of evaluative research techniques. This paper presents the concepts of culture-specific counseling with a case example from the African-Igbo culture.