Chapter Two: East and West Perspectives

Collectivist core emphasis

(1) dependence: draw one's very meaning and existence from being part of an important group (2) conformity/desire to fit in: social approach towards in-groups and away from out-groups (3) perception of the group as the fundamental unit of analysis: social patterns= close linkage, people part of a larger more important whole

Core emphasis in individualist cultures

(1) desire to stand out/ need for uniqueness (2) sense of independence (3) the use of the self as the unit to thinking about life

collectivist secondary emphases

(1) pay attention to rules and goals of the group (2) success and satisfaction come from group reaching it's goals and fulfilling social duties (3) mutual generosity and equity (4) formal interactions (5) lower need for uniqueness compared to individualistic (6) duty to in-group to maintain harmony between people

Secondary emphases in individualistic cultures

(1) payoffs are at personal level not group (2) people pursue what is enjoyable to them (3) focused on pleasure and their own self esteem in interpersonal relationships (4) benefit analysis to see what will profit them (5) short term thinking (6) informal in interactions with others

The Tao

- "The Way" - the energy that surrounds everyone and is a power that envelops, surrounds, and flows through all things - it cannot be taught, it must be experienced - natural

Momotaro

- A Japanese Story - portrays collectivism strengths (1) sets out for good of the group (2) promotes harmony (3) works with others to get to goal (interdependence and collaboration) (4) brings back to treasure for group (sharing)

Western traditions: Athenian

- Ancient Greek Scholars such as Plato and Aristotle - found in pockets across Greece, not the norm, more for intellectuals - moral virtues: 11 of them - Intellectual virtues: ideas regarding wisdom - correlation between virtues and political community - government responsible for virtue development via early education and training

Eastern positive psychology values

- Eastern values are more fluid/ on a spiritual plane - there is different concerns about life, not always going forward - east believes that the world is in a perpetual state of flux, optimal functioning for the East is more cyclical, a balance

Virtues in Taoism

- Follow the Tao - goal= acheive naturalness and spontaneity - key virtues are practiced without effort: humanity, temperance, justice and propriety - transcendence= behave virtuous naturally

East vs. West ways to positive outcomes

- West: rugged individualism and hope - East: compassion and Harmony

the "US" perspective

- a blend of the one and the many - Can enhance our ability to interact with a variety of others and spur our multicultural competence - represents an intermingling in which both the individual and group are able to be considered for satisfying and productive lives - ME/ WE, the balanced perspective - ME and WE become reflections of each other

Collectivism

- a cultural value that prizes the concepts of sharing, cooperation, interdependence, and duty to the group - Eastern

Eastern Influences: Buddhism

- a philosophical and religious system based on the teachings of Buddha - life is dominated by suffering caused by desire, suffering ends when we end -key themes: nirvana, suffering is part of being, seeking the good of others

Western traditions: Islam

- a philosophical and religious traditions based on the teachings of Muhammad that emphasizes duty to one's fellow man. Followers believe in Allah as the creator and benefactor in all things - virtues/ moral obligations: gratitude, love, kindness, justice, and courage. Looking out for others (especially the poor). Must abide by these pillars to please Allah

compassion

- an aspect of humanity that involves looking outside of the self and thinking about others as we care for and identify with them - requires (1) the the difficulty of the recipient be serious (2) that the recipients difficulties are not self inflicted (3) that we as observers are able to identify with the recipients suffering - helps with transcendence

Western positive psychology values

- constructs like hope, optimism, personal self-efficacy - Western values are more linear/ on a physical plane, more materialisc - West wants rewards in a physical plane

moral virtues

- courage - moderation - generosity - munificence - magnificence - even temper - friendliness - truthfulness - wit - justice - friendship

East vs. West Value Systems

- cultural value systems determine strengths and weaknesses - East: collectivist, interdependence, cooperation - West: individualistic, competition, independence

Aquina's Seven Heavenly Virtues

- fortitude (courage) - justice - temperance - wisdom - faith - hope - charity

Virtues in Hinduism

- the Upanishads talk about the idea of good and bad actions and the idea of karma - karma: good actions lead to better placement in the reincarnation process - can avoid reincarnation through attaining ultimate self- knowledge and striving for ultimate self-betterment

East vs. West thought processes

- there are stark differences in thought processes= divergent worldviews and meaning making - West pursues happiness: it is linear, goal-directed, and built of strength - Easter pursues balance: it is cyclical, yin and yang, built on strength of endurance

Culture and Positive psychology

- there is more of a focus on Western values and experiences - Eastern perspective is now being consulted

Importance of the community and government in Athenian virtue?

- virtue was necessary to help average people to self-actualize - needed the government to help teach and train because human nature is not to behave in virtuous ways, organized religions were used to control people - gave structure to how people interacted with each other

Orientation to Time

- western cultures look to the future - Eastern cultures focus on and respect the past, there is strength in looking back and respecting elders wisdom

virtues in Confucionsim

- you attain the virtues to reach enlightenment 1. jen (humanity) 2. yi (duty to treat others well) 3. li (etiquette and sensitivy to others' feelings) 4. zhi (wisdom) 5. xin (truthfulness)

different ways to positive outcomes

A cultural challenge: - be open-minded about that which you consider to be strengths - be open to different perspectives, traditions, and values

Eastern influences: Hinduism

A diverse body of religion, philosophy and cultural practice native to and predominant in India, with no specific founder. Characterized by a belief in the interconnectedness of all things and emphasizes personal improvement with the goal of transcending the cycle of reincarnation

Buddhist Virtues

Brahma Viharas (Universal Virtues) - Maitri (love) - Karuna (compassion) - Mudita (joy) - Upeksa (equanimity) achieve virtues by divorcing self from desire

collectivist country example

China is the most collectivist

Hope

Goal directed thinking in which a person has the preceived capacity to find routes to desired goals (pathway thinking) and the requisite motivations to use those routes (agency thinking). Not genetically based but an entirely learned and deliberate way of thinking. Synder.

Confucius

The sage, from China. Morality is a cure for evil, do for others what you would like done for yourself. Had a collectivist ideal (leader caring for the group)

Western traditions: Judeo-Christianity

Western religious tradition emphasizing Christianity and Judaism - 3 Old Testament Virtues: Faith, Hope, and Charity - 7 Heavenly Virtues (Aquinas) - Ten Commandments - New Testament: includes gifts/strengths that are valued by God like leadership, faith, mercy, love, hospitality, etc. - The Talmud: Judaism. Taught in religious classes to live a certain way, what to value. ex. seek peace, fairness, truth, justice, hospitality, etc.

individualism

a cultural value that emphasizes individual achievement, competition, personal freedom, and autonomy. - A perspective in which the needs of the individual are placed above the needs of the group. - Western - Hope and need for uniqueness

Eastern Influences: Taoism

a philosophical and religious system developed by Lao-Tzu that advocates a simple honest life and non-interference in the course of natural events

Eastern Influences: Confucsionism

a philosophical and religious system developed from the teachings of Confucius. Confucianism values love for humanity, duty, etiquette, and truthfulness. Devotion to family, including ancestors, is also emphasized.

core value

a rule in which you try to live your life ex. be respectful

harmony

a state of consensus or balance. Eastern traditions view harmony as essential to happiness

nirvana

a state of in which the self is freed from desire. This is the final destination in the Buddhist philosophy - both pre-mortal and post- moratal

enlightenment

being able to see things clearly for what they truly are

Collectivist demographics

collectivism more likely in lower social classes and older people (both which are increasing)

uniqueness attributes

each society has some acceptable attributes whereby its citizens can show their differences. - ex. attractiveness to "scarce commodities" which salespeople draw upon, want to have latest model

Happiness (Eastern)

having the satisfactions of a plain country life, shared within a harmonious social network. Harmony is central to happiness

Goal of Hinduism

live life so fully and correctly to go directly to afterlife without reincarnation

Uniqueness identity schema/dimension

people evaluate the acceptability of their having varying degrees of similarity to other people. The moderate-to-high sense of similarity is rated as the most comfortable and accurate. Extremes are not comfortable on either end.

"America the rugged Individualist"

people think of themselves as in isolation with their whole destiny in their hands. Anyone can succeed with good ideas and hard work. "me generation"

Western Stories

portray individualism (1) hero fights alone (independence) (2) personal gain despite loss to another (3) seek personal fortune

Happiness (Western)

the ability to exercise powers in pursuit of excellence in a life free from constraints, no ties to duty and freedom to pursue individual goals

Need for uniqueness

the pursuit of individualistic goals to produce a sense of specialness

emotional and behavioural reactions to similarity

the very highest positive emotional response occurs when people perceive that they have a relatively moderate to high degree of similarity. A moderate to high degree of similarity also leads to no behaviour change (while either extreme causes changes in behaviour to either fit in or stand out). There are upper limits to the human bond.

Conforming

when people adjust their own preferences to accomadate the group, collectivist