Foundations of Culture Cultural and Personal Identity Self-Assessment
Foundations of Culture Cultural and Personal Identity Self-Assessment Your Historical, Ethnic, and Cultural Background (Adapted from Cultural Advantage, 1998) Think of yourself as a cultural being whose life has been influenced by various demographic, historical, social, political, economic, and geographical circumstances. This exercise will help you become aware of aspects of your demographic, historical, ethnic, and cultural background. 1. Where were you born? 2. When were you born? 3. Where did you grow up? 4. Where did your parents grow up? 5. Where did your grandparents grow up? 6. Where did your great grandparents grow up? 7. What is your earliest memory as a family? 8. What is your earliest school memory? 9. As a family, what events did you celebrate? 10. Have you traveled or moved as a child? 11. Have you traveled or moved as an adult? 12. Recall an international event that happened to you before you turned 18. Try to answer the following: Who was involved; what was the event; where did it happen; how did it happen; and why did it happen? 13. Recall an event that happened in the country where you were born, before you turned 18. Try to answer the following: Who was involved; what was the event; where did it happen; how did it happen; and why did it happen? 14. What is your earliest recollection as a member of a group? 15. What was your first job? 16. As an adult, what events or holidays do you currently celebrate? Exercise #2: Understanding Your Own Worldview Our perceptions are shaped by our view of the world, which is learned through socialization, from childhood to adulthood, and constantly reinforced by the culture in which we live. For each of us, our view of the world is the taken-for-granted view of “the way things are,” and most of the time unquestioned and invisible. It is important that we examine and understand how we see the world first. If we don’t realize that other people have different worldviews, we tend to think that our way is the “only” way, and we may not value the different perspectives other people may bring. In the name of “our” worldview, atrocities have been committed in history. How do you view the following? Aspects of worldview What is your worldview? Time (Example: Time is money?) Space between you and the next person (Example: When do you start feeling uncomfortable?) Relationships (Example: Work relationships versus personal relationships?) Technology (Example: How do you see technology?) Religion or spirituality (Example: What about religion?) Honesty (Example: Tell the truth no matter what?) Exercise #3: Appreciating Your Own Multiple Identities We all live within and identify with multiple identities. Most of us can claim different identities related to gender, age, religion, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, profession, national origin, educational level, etc. By recognizing our multiple identities, we are less likely to stereotype others based on minimal information about another person’s historical, social, and cultural backgrounds. Take a blank sheet of paper and write Read More …