One study that demonstrates enculturation is the Odden and Rochat study conducted in 2004.
The aim of this study was to investigate the role of observational learning as a mechanism of children's enculturation in non-western cultural contexts.
They used a variety of methods to research this. They did a longitudinal naturalistic observation of the children in their day to day lives, semi-structured interviews with caretakers, teachers, pastors and chiefs, and parental belief questionnaires. This longitudinal study required that one researcher to live in the village for 20 months.
The results showed that the Samoan attitude towards enculturation and general education was very specific. As there is a high power distance [PDI], questioning in class was discouraged as it is seen as a sign of disrespect to the adult. Therefore, children were left to learn things on their owen and adults did not try to engage or motivate them. Caretakers believed that
children learn via observing and listening to their elders.
One example of this may be that by the age of 15, they spend a lot of time doing chores such as washing clothes, feeding domestic animals, child care and cooking. However, the parents were never seen explaining the chore or explicitly teaching the child in any other way.
This is catalyzed by the infrastructure in the village too. The Samoan houses are often built without walls due to the hot and humid climate, therefore children
and adults can freely observe eachother. Privacy is not established in the society. So, children are constantly learning from those around them.
Consumer Behavior: Buying, Having, Being
13th EditionMichael R Solomon
449 solutions
Social Psychology
10th EditionElliot Aronson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers, Timothy D. Wilson
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HDEV5
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380 solutions
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525 solutions
Recommended textbook solutionsHDEV5
6th EditionSpencer A. Rathus
380 solutions
Consumer Behavior: Buying, Having, Being
13th EditionMichael R Solomon
449 solutions
Social Psychology
10th EditionElliot Aronson, Robin M. Akert, Timothy D. Wilson
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Myers' Psychology for AP
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process of being socialized to a particular culture
can occur at many different levels, as culture exists both in broad strokes and in miniature.
It can either refer to formal learning, such as in a traditional education system, or informal learning, such as the social feedback you receive from your parents and friends as a developing child and beyond.
Both are critical to the process and blend in unique ways to create different personalities
Recommended textbook solutionsHDEV5
6th EditionSpencer A. Rathus
380 solutions
Social Psychology
10th EditionElliot Aronson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers, Timothy D. Wilson
525 solutions
Myers' Psychology for AP
2nd EditionDavid G Myers
900 solutions
Consumer Behavior: Buying, Having, Being
13th EditionMichael R Solomon
449 solutions