Assignment 10 Essays: Your Responses Must Be Supported

Assignment 10essays Iiyour Responses Must Be Supported And Substantiat

Assignment 10 essays require responses to be supported and substantiated by the information discussed by the text authors. All assignments must be typed, double-spaced, in APA style, and written at graduate level English. Use the reading assignments to substantiate your responses, citing in APA format. Your response to each question should be ½ to 1 page. The entire assignment should be 2-4 pages plus a title and reference page.

For years, homosexuality was considered a mental illness in the United States. Is it still perceived as an illness today? Do you agree or disagree? Research shows that in Buddhist and Western societies may encourage two somewhat different types of motivation, namely “maximizing” and “satisfying.” Explain both briefly. What cross-cultural limitations do you see in Erikson's, Piaget's, and Kohlberg's theories?

Explain why people in non-Western cultures tend to “somatize” their distress, whereas people in Western cultures have the tendency to “psychologize” it. Assignment Outcomes: analyze your own cultural background; compare and contrast issues and practices relevant to helping people from culturally diverse backgrounds; assess processes and issues related to clients of various ethnic, cultural, and diverse origins; identify patterns of social injustice, racial and ethnic adaptation; analyze the global expansion of racism.

Paper For Above instruction

The perception of homosexuality as a mental illness has undergone significant transformation over the decades. Historically, in the United States, homosexuality was classified as a mental disorder by the American Psychiatric Association until 1973, when the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) officially declassified it (Gonsiorek, 1991). Today, homosexuality is widely recognized as a natural variation of human sexuality, with mental health organizations such as the APA affirming its non-pathological status. This shift reflects broader societal changes and increased understanding of sexual orientation as an intrinsic aspect of human diversity. Still, in some communities and cultural contexts, negative perceptions and stigmatization persist, implicitly suggesting that residual biases may linger even if formal classification has changed. Personally, I believe that perceiving homosexuality as an illness today is largely outdated and unsupported by scientific evidence. Viewing it as a mental disorder perpetuates stigma and hampers efforts toward inclusivity and mental health support for LGBTQ+ individuals (Herek, 2010).

Research comparing motivational orientations between Buddhist and Western societies reveals intriguing cultural differences. The "maximizing" motivation emphasizes achieving optimal outcomes, often aligned with goal-oriented behavior and an outcome-based approach to life. Conversely, "satisfying" motivation focuses on contentment, harmony, and meeting basic needs, emphasizing well-being over achievement. In Western cultures, the "maximizing" motivation is prevalent, encouraging individuals to attain personal success and material gains (Ryan & Deci, 2000). In contrast, Buddhist societies tend to promote the "satisfying" motivation, emphasizing spiritual fulfillment and inner peace instead of external achievements. Cross-cultural limitations of psychosocial theories like Erikson's, Piaget's, and Kohlberg's stem from their developmental frameworks rooted primarily in Western norms. For example, Kohlberg's stages of moral development emphasize justice-based reasoning, which may not fully capture moral reasoning in collectivist cultures that prioritize social harmony over individual rights (Trompenaars & Hampden-Turner, 2012). Similarly, Piaget's cognitive stages may overlook culturally specific ways of knowing and learning, while Erikson's psychosocial stages might not address cultural variations in identity development.

Non-Western cultures tend to somatize distress—expressing psychological suffering through physical symptoms—while Western cultures often psychologize distress, expressing psychological problems through mental health terms. This difference may be attributed to cultural norms surrounding emotional expression and the stigmatization of mental illness. In many Asian, African, and Latin American cultures, somatization is viewed as more acceptable because physical symptoms are less stigmatized and can serve as a culturally sanctioned way to seek help (Kirmayer & Young, 1998). In contrast, Western societies often prioritize individual psychological well-being and openly discuss mental health issues, leading to psychologization.

Understanding these cultural differences is essential for mental health professionals working in diverse settings. Reflecting on my own cultural background, I recognize that my cultural assumptions influence my perceptions of mental health and help-seeking behaviors. Comparing issues relevant to diverse populations reveals the importance of culturally sensitive practices that respect clients' cultural values. For example, practitioners should consider cultural expressions of distress—whether somatic or psychological—and adapt treatment approaches accordingly. Addressing social injustice and racial and ethnic disparities requires awareness of systemic barriers, prejudices, and historical contexts shaping clients' experiences. Globally, racism continues to expand and evolve, fueled by societal inequalities, economic factors, and political ideologies that perpetuate discrimination and marginalization (Sue, 2010).

In conclusion, cultural perspectives significantly influence perceptions of mental health, motivation, and help-seeking behaviors. Recognizing and respecting these differences is crucial for effective, equitable mental health practice, especially in our increasingly interconnected world.

References

Gonsiorek, J. C. (1991). Homosexuality and mental health: A review of research findings. Journal of Social Issues, 47(2), 147-161.

Herek, G. M. (2010). The evolving science of sexual orientation and mental health. In D. P. McMahon & J. M. G. McMahon (Eds.), Handbook of mental health and sexual orientation (pp. 3-18). Routledge.

Kirmayer, L. J., & Young, A. (1998). Culture and somatization: Clinical, epidemiological, and ethnographic perspectives. Psychosomatic Medicine, 60(4), 420-430.

Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68-78.

Sue, D. W. (2010). Microaggressions in everyday life: Race, gender, and sexual orientation. John Wiley & Sons.

Trompenaars, F., & Hampden-Turner, C. (2012). Riding the waves of culture: Understanding diversity in global business. Nicholas Brealey Publishing.