BHS-330 Discussion Responses Topics 1-3:
Topic 1 DQ 1
Describe ethnocentrism and the relationship to cultural encapsulation. How will ethnocentrism
influence paraprofessionals in the behavioral health field?
The textbook explains ethnocentrism as having a limited, tunnel vision type idea of the world
because a person uses their personal culture as what a culture should be (Hays & Erford, 2018).
I had to go looking for examples to better understand what was meant by ethnocentrism. An
example that stood out to me is "expecting others to speak English" (Drew, 2022). There are
many other ones that stood out on the website, but this one stood out because I recall recent
articles and stories about American citizens that can speak multiple languages speaking a
language that is not English, and a white American that can only speak English telling them to
go back to their home country.
According to our textbook, ethnocentrism and cultural encapsulation are connected to each
other.
Paraprofessional in the behavioral health field will have to be careful to not be ethnocentric.
When working with a client from a different background, the paraprofessional should take the
time to learn about their background especially since it would hold influence over a person's
views on counseling, therapy, and their mental health. A paraprofessional also does not want to
push their own views on a client or offend a client for their views.
Sources:
Drew, C. (2022, July 4). 14 Best Examples of Ethnocentrism (For Students) (2022). Helpful
Professor. Retrieved October 18, 2022, from https://helpfulprofessor.com/examples-of-
ethnocentrism/
Hays, D., & Erford, B. (2018). Developing multicultural counseling competence: A systems
approach (3rd ed.). Pearson. ISBN-13: 9780134523804
Topic 1 DQ 2
Distinguish between individualistic and collective cultural values. How does each perspective
influence behavioral health?
, In individualistic cultures, people act on personal interest and preference; however, in
collective cultures, what the group wants is above what the individual desires (Fatehi et al.,
2020). A study that was conducted in Italy suggested that there are four attributes that could
change between the two: independent or interdependent self-construal; degree of importance
given to personal or group goals; priority of individual attitudes or social norms in guiding
behaviors; focus on exchange relationships or communal relationships (Fatehi et al., 2020). I also
think it is important to note that it is still being studied if individualism and collectivism are uni-
dimensional or bi-dimensional.
Both cultural values influence behavioral health in positive and negative ways. For example, in
collective cultures individuals are more likely to stay with in their community to seek help,
which could lead to the help they need being more drastic once they go to a professional.
However, that tight-knit community could also help limit psychological issues and strengthen a
person's relationships. In an individualistic culture, a person is more likely to seek help to
better themselves.
Source:
Fatehi, K., Priestley, J. L., & Taasoobshirazi, G. (2020). The expanded view of individualism
and collectivism: One, two, or four dimensions? International Journal of Cross Cultural
Management, 20(1), 7–24. https://doi.org/10.1177/1470595820913077
Topic 2 DQ 1
Assessment Description: Examine the culture bound disorders in Table 1 of the “Culture and
Psychopathology” article in the Topic resources. Provide a brief summary of one chosen
culture bound diagnosis and explain why it is culturally specific.
I picked Taijin Kyofusho, which is a form of social anxiety in Japan. According to the
article by Fritscher, Taijin Kyofusho is a fear that one's body parts or functions displease,
embarrass or are offensive to others (Fritscher, 2022). This is higher in places like Japan or
Korea because they are a collective culture and do not view things in an individualistic manner.
The symptoms of Tajini Kyofusho are incredibly similar to social anxiety (Fritscher, 2022).
However, there is one difference between social anxiety and Taijin Kyofusho that determines
which one a client has. Tajini Kyofusho is a person being afraid of embarrassing others while
in their presence, which is almost opposite of social anxiety, which is fear of experiencing
embarrassment in front of others (Fritscher, 2022).
After learning more about this disorder, in my mind, it seems like a cross of body dysmorphia
Topic 1 DQ 1
Describe ethnocentrism and the relationship to cultural encapsulation. How will ethnocentrism
influence paraprofessionals in the behavioral health field?
The textbook explains ethnocentrism as having a limited, tunnel vision type idea of the world
because a person uses their personal culture as what a culture should be (Hays & Erford, 2018).
I had to go looking for examples to better understand what was meant by ethnocentrism. An
example that stood out to me is "expecting others to speak English" (Drew, 2022). There are
many other ones that stood out on the website, but this one stood out because I recall recent
articles and stories about American citizens that can speak multiple languages speaking a
language that is not English, and a white American that can only speak English telling them to
go back to their home country.
According to our textbook, ethnocentrism and cultural encapsulation are connected to each
other.
Paraprofessional in the behavioral health field will have to be careful to not be ethnocentric.
When working with a client from a different background, the paraprofessional should take the
time to learn about their background especially since it would hold influence over a person's
views on counseling, therapy, and their mental health. A paraprofessional also does not want to
push their own views on a client or offend a client for their views.
Sources:
Drew, C. (2022, July 4). 14 Best Examples of Ethnocentrism (For Students) (2022). Helpful
Professor. Retrieved October 18, 2022, from https://helpfulprofessor.com/examples-of-
ethnocentrism/
Hays, D., & Erford, B. (2018). Developing multicultural counseling competence: A systems
approach (3rd ed.). Pearson. ISBN-13: 9780134523804
Topic 1 DQ 2
Distinguish between individualistic and collective cultural values. How does each perspective
influence behavioral health?
, In individualistic cultures, people act on personal interest and preference; however, in
collective cultures, what the group wants is above what the individual desires (Fatehi et al.,
2020). A study that was conducted in Italy suggested that there are four attributes that could
change between the two: independent or interdependent self-construal; degree of importance
given to personal or group goals; priority of individual attitudes or social norms in guiding
behaviors; focus on exchange relationships or communal relationships (Fatehi et al., 2020). I also
think it is important to note that it is still being studied if individualism and collectivism are uni-
dimensional or bi-dimensional.
Both cultural values influence behavioral health in positive and negative ways. For example, in
collective cultures individuals are more likely to stay with in their community to seek help,
which could lead to the help they need being more drastic once they go to a professional.
However, that tight-knit community could also help limit psychological issues and strengthen a
person's relationships. In an individualistic culture, a person is more likely to seek help to
better themselves.
Source:
Fatehi, K., Priestley, J. L., & Taasoobshirazi, G. (2020). The expanded view of individualism
and collectivism: One, two, or four dimensions? International Journal of Cross Cultural
Management, 20(1), 7–24. https://doi.org/10.1177/1470595820913077
Topic 2 DQ 1
Assessment Description: Examine the culture bound disorders in Table 1 of the “Culture and
Psychopathology” article in the Topic resources. Provide a brief summary of one chosen
culture bound diagnosis and explain why it is culturally specific.
I picked Taijin Kyofusho, which is a form of social anxiety in Japan. According to the
article by Fritscher, Taijin Kyofusho is a fear that one's body parts or functions displease,
embarrass or are offensive to others (Fritscher, 2022). This is higher in places like Japan or
Korea because they are a collective culture and do not view things in an individualistic manner.
The symptoms of Tajini Kyofusho are incredibly similar to social anxiety (Fritscher, 2022).
However, there is one difference between social anxiety and Taijin Kyofusho that determines
which one a client has. Tajini Kyofusho is a person being afraid of embarrassing others while
in their presence, which is almost opposite of social anxiety, which is fear of experiencing
embarrassment in front of others (Fritscher, 2022).
After learning more about this disorder, in my mind, it seems like a cross of body dysmorphia
