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Psychology 307: Cultural Psychology

Lecture 21

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Announcement

The University is closed this Friday. Accordingly, I will hold my office hour on Wednesday, April 4, 12:30-1:30, Kenny 2517.

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Mental Health and Acculturation

1. What psychological disorders are culture-bound? (continued)

2. Are Western psychotherapeutic approaches effective for the treatment of psychological disorders among individuals living in non-Western cultures?

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3. What types of acculturating groups exist within pluralistic societies?

4. What is the typical process of adjustment during acculturation?

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2. describe “indiginous” forms of psychotherapy.

1. generate examples of culture-bound disorders.

By the end of today’s class, you should be able to:

3. identify distinct acculturative groups.

4. describe the U and W curves of acculturation.

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3. Shinbyeong (Spirit sickness)

Identified among Koreans.

More common among females than males.

What psychological disorders are culture-bound? (continued)

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Characterized by a loss of appetite, weakness, insomnia, dizziness, fear, and gastrointestinal problems.

The symptoms progress to include mental disturbances: Dreams of communication with God, hallucinations,

dissociation, possession by ancestral spirits.

Brought on by a spiritual “calling” to become a shaman.

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4. Witiko (Windigo psychosis)

Identified among the Algonquian Indians.

More common among males than females.

Characterized by an insatiable desire to eat human flesh even when other food sources are available. Individuals are thought to be possessed by the “witiko spirit.” If the condition cannot be cured, sufferers often request that they be executed in order to avoid

harming others.

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Brought on by prior experience of famine.

A highly debated disorder (is it a racist fabrication?).

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5. Other disorders

The DSM recognizes a host of other culture-bound syndromes: Ataque de nervios, Brain fag, Dhat,

Frigophobia, Koro, Latah, Locura, Mal deojo, Rootwork, Susto, Whakama, and Zar are among them.

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Are Western psychotherapeutic approaches effective for the treatment of psychological disorders among individuals living in non-Western cultures?

● Several evidence-based psychotherapeutic approaches are used in Western cultures. Examples:

Cognitive-behavioural therapy: Modification of debilitating thoughts and behaviours.

Interpersonal therapy: Interpersonal skills training.

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● Research has established the effectiveness of these approaches for treating North Americans of European descent.

● Some research (Miranda, 2005) suggests that these approaches are effective for members of other cultural groups in North America.

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● Recently, there has been an increased interest among researchers in indigenous therapeutic approaches.

● Indigenous therapeutic approaches have been found to be comparable to CBT and IPT in their effectiveness.

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1. Morita therapy

Developed in Japan.

Goal of therapy: To have patients accept reality rather than attempt to bring reality in line with personal needs and desires.

Four stages:

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(a) total bed rest and isolation.

(b) light work, maintenance of a diary, continued isolation with the exception of therapist visits.

(c) heavier work, continued maintenance of a diary, participation in lectures on self-control and the evils of egocentricity.

(d) return to full social life, continued out-patient contact with the therapist in group sessions.

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2. Naikan therapy

Developed in Japan.

Goals of therapy:

(a) The discovery of authentic guilt for having been ungrateful and troublesome to others in the past.

(b) The discovery of gratitude towards individuals who have extended themselves to the patient in the past.

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Procedure: The patient introspects for 15 hours per day, for 7 days. The patient considers relationships from 3 perspectives: Care received, repayment, and trouble caused.

Interviews are conducted every 90 minutes, in “a boldly moralistic manner, placing the burden of blame on the client” (Murase, 1982, p. 318).

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3. Chinese Taoist cognitive therapy

Developed in China.

Goal of therapy: To regulate patients’ negative affect and correct maladaptive behaviour through the

reinforcement of Taoist principles.

Taoism “focuses on conforming to natural laws, letting go of excessive control, and the flexible development of personality” (Zhang et al., 2002).

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(a) identify stressors that contribute to the patient’s illness.

(b) examine the patient’s cognitive evaluations of the stressors.

(c) analyze the patient’s primary coping styles.

Five stages:

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(d) have the patient read Taoist writings and reflect upon the writings in a diary.

(e) assess the effectiveness of the treatment via patient self-reports and clinical assessments.

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What types of acculturating groups exist within pluralistic societies?

● Pluralistic societies are characterized by the dominant cultural group and many other groups that undergo acculturation.

● The diverse experiences of these groups have made it difficult for psychologists to extract a set of generalizable findings from studies of acculturation.

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Types of Acculturating Groups

Voluntary Culture Contact

Involuntary Culture Contact

Non-MigratoryMembers of long-

established cultural groups

Indigenous peoples

MigratoryPermanent ResidenceTemporary Residence

ImmigrantsSojourners

RefugeesAsylum seekers

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What is the typical process of adjustment during acculturation?

● Research suggests that the typical process of adjustment during acculturation follows a U-shaped

curve:

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The U Curve: Acculturation

The W Curve: Acculturation and Repatriation

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Mental Health and Acculturation

1. What psychological disorders are culture-bound? (continued)

2. Are Western psychotherapeutic approaches effective for the treatment of psychological disorders among individuals living in non-Western cultures?

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3. What types of acculturating groups exist within pluralistic societies?

4. What is the typical process of adjustment during acculturation?