Assignment 3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 4

Assignment 3 - Essay Example Garstein et al. studied the development of temperament across four cultures and found different temperaments in infants and adults in every culture (55). They found that Japanese and Russian infants were known to have â€Å"the highest and the second highest levels of fearfulness, respectively†; while, U.S. and Polish infants received â€Å"relatively lower ratings from their caregivers† (55). Super et al. (136) also studied cross-cultural differences in temperament in children belonging to seven western cultures and found that the participants â€Å"showed both general tendencies and culture-speciï ¬ c patterns† in their behavior. McCrae et al. studied the nature versus nurture debate and agreed with the fact that, along with biological factors that are responsible for the makeup of personality, â€Å"the intrinsic maturation of personality is complemented by the culturally conditioned development of characteristic adaptations† (173). Similarly, Wood an d Eagly studied cross-cultural difference of men and women in non-industrial societies, and found that they showed different attitudes towards â€Å"the economic and social structural aspects of societies† (699). These studies strengthen the idea that culture differences are equally important to study if we want to understand the variations in temperament globally. I have personally experienced that my friends belonging to different cultures have different temperaments which includes the level of happiness and sorrow they express; fright or boldness they show; and, anger or patience with which they handle things. For example, three of my friends who belong to Europe get panicked over little things; while, two of my friends belonging to Asia laugh over even big problems. My European friends are way too liberal about their lifestyle, like coming back home late in the nights and staying in apartments other than their parents’. On the

Is dissociative identity disorder, formerly known as multiple Essay

Is dissociative identity disorder, formerly known as multiple personalities, real or a modern-day scam - Essay Example This is a defense method used to overcome severe emotional or physical pain or anxious anticipation of such circumstances. Through the dissociative process, feelings, memories, thoughts and perceptions of traumatic circumstance are separated from the person psychologicall, and enables the person to live as if the circumstances never occurred (Dissociative Identity Disorder 2003). Dissociative identity disorder or multiple personality disorder is considered from a sociocognitive perspective as a socially constructed disorder. The disorder is goal oriented, context bounded and the social behavior is evolved to meet the expectation of others significant to a circumstance and the characteristics o the behavior changes according to changes in circumstances (Spanos, N. P. 1994). Though multiple personality disorder has gained acceptance in the medical perspectives, there are several reasons that point out that this is not a disorder because it does not meet specific criteria to be recognized as a disease. Piper and Merskey (2004) notes that even close relative often do not recognize multiple personalities before patients begin therapy. In certain cases, relatives of the patients are given explanations, and the changes in behavior are specifically pointed out to understand multiple personalities because it was not evident before. Experts who advocate DID have not been able to strategically point out symptoms of the disorder since there is no specific personality state, identity, behavioral changes or other criteria that qualify the existence of the disorder. There is no definition for one personality taking control of the other or the methods to differentiate the changes in personality (Piper, A. & H. Merskey 2004 p.679). It may be concluded that from a sociocognitive perspective, dissociative identity disorder seems to exist in individuals in extreme circumstances. However, considering practical symptoms and