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• Overview of Assignment: Relationship Building and Cultural Variances
There are many different types of relationships each with numerous considerations related to psychological adjustment to the 21st Century challenges of life. Culture influences almost every relationship.
For example, there are many adjustment issues related to marriage. Various cultures view dating and marriage in different ways; therefore the individual’s culture is a significant influencer. Various cultures also have a range of views on divorce once a marriage comes to an end. Similarly, there are unique considerations related to a gay or lesbian orientation and the relationships in which gays and lesbians are involved. And different cultures perceive attractiveness in different ways.
Some relationship challenges are specific to the unique culture or population, while others are new challenges presented by the 21st Century. For example, teens and young adults tend to have very different relational and sexual behaviors than they did a few decades ago. Technology has changed how people relate to each other in both friendship and dating, in some cases. The media certainly helps shape the perception of what is attractive.
Finally, culture influences sexual behavior. Sexual practices and customs vary greatly around the world and within the various cultures found in the United States. These variations in practice include acceptable types of sexual behavior, the kinds of contraception used, how often individuals have sex, as well as other factors.
This assignment asks you to explore how different cultures influence relationships and sexual behavior.
To prepare for this assignment:
• Review Chapters 10 and 12 in your textbook, focusing on the adjustment challenges related to cultural differences. Address specifically the roles of individuals in friendship, dating, and intimate relationships, as well as how culture influences behavior. Look also at gay and lesbian relationships and related adjustment issues.
• Watch the short video: Gay Brains.
• Read the following two brochures found on APAOnline covering some of the issues related to gay and lesbian lifestyle and issues: Just the Facts About Sexual Orientation and Youth: A Primer for Principals, Educators, and School Personnel and Answers to Your Questions for a Better Understanding of Sexual Orientation & Homosexuality. Think about the adjustment issues related to a gay and lesbian lifestyle.
• Read the article, Computer-Mediated Relationship Development: A Cross-Cultural Comparison from the Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication. This article discusses interesting cultural differences in specific aspects of relationship building.
• Read the article, Communication Technology and Friendship during the Transition from High School to College. What are the pros and cons of technology in friendship development and maintenance? How do you think that technology impacts dating and intimacy? What cultures are more apt to use technology for relationship building and maintenance?
*The assignment: 1 page, APA style format, No Plagiarism and must be cited with references. The resource references provided must be used to do the assignment, preferred by the professor. Thank you
*Answer the following adjustment related questions in detail:
• Analyze what you believe to be the most significant adjustment challenges experienced by gay men and lesbian women in relationships and explain why.
• Explain how technology has changed the view and roles of individuals in friendships, dating, and intimate relationships.
• Analyze how culture impacts sexual behavior. Factors might include the kinds of sexual behavior individuals participate in and when this occurs (i.e. before marriage, after marriage, as teens), the kinds of contraception people choose, how often individuals have sex, and other related issues.
For each part of this assignment, please provide specific examples and cite the Learning Resources.
**These Resources must used to do and complete the Assignment.
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• Course Text: Psychology and the Challenges of Life
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Chapter 10, “Interpersonal Attraction: Of Friendship and Love” (pp. 340-366)
Chapter 11, “Relationships and Communication: Getting from Here to There” (pp. 368-402)
Chapter 12, “Gender and Sexuality,” Modules 12.5-12.8 (pp. 426-451 only)
Article: University of Chicago Chronicle (2000). Research looks at cohabitation’s negative effects. Retrieved April 4, 2008, from The University of Chicago Chronicle Web site: http://chronicle.uchicago.edu/000302/cohabit.shtml
This article provides information from a study about the negative effects of cohabitation.
• Publication: Just the Facts Coalition. (2008). Just the facts about sexual orientation and youth: A primer for principals, educators, and school personnel. Retrieved April 4, 2008, from the American Psychological Association Web site: http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/just-the-facts.pdf.
• Publication: APA Office of Public and Member Communications. (2008). Answers to your questions: For a better understanding of sexual orientation and homosexuality. Retrieved April 4, 2008, from the American Psychological Association Web site: http://www.apa.org/topics/sexuality/orientation.aspx
• Article: Yum, Y.O., & Hara, K. (2005). Computer-mediated relationship development: A cross-cultural comparison [Electronic version]. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 11(1), article 7. Retrieved April 4, 2008, from the JCMC Web Site: http://jcmc.indiana.edu/vol11/issue1/yum.html
This article discusses interesting cultural differences in specific aspects of relationship building.
• Article: Cummings, J. (2007). Communication technology and friendship in the transition from high school to college. Retrieved April 4, 2008, from the CMU Web site: http://kraut.hciresearch.org/sites/kraut.hciresearch.org/files/articles/cummings04-nsf-ict-v3.5.pdf
This article discusses how technology is impacting the transition from high school to college.
• Media
• Gender and Love
http://higheredbcs.wiley.com/legacy/college/nevid/0470079894/videos/html_pages/genderandlove.html
• Gay Brains
• http://higheredbcs.wiley.com/legacy/college/nevid/0470079894/videos/html_pages/gaybrains.
Web Site
• Divorce
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/divorce.html
This site provides information about divorce related to psychological health.
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Concerns http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/index.aspx
This site provides excellent information related to lesbian, gay, and bisexual orientation from a mental and physical health perspective.
