Emerging Issues interaction between people of different backgrounds and culture

Emerging Issues interaction between people of different backgrounds and culture Introduction In the present world where globalization and technology have taken center stage, a smooth interaction between people of different backgrounds and culture is very critical.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Emerging Issues: interaction between people of different backgrounds and culture specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Over the years, the question of multiculturalism has continued to receive recognition and many people are now seeking alternative ways to ensure that people can live and work together harmoniously. This paper examines the effects of cultural identity crisis and racism on the society. Cultural Identity Crisis and Its Impact on Society According to Hogan (2000), identity is best thought of as involving a representational or referential component and a procedural or skills component. Although the distinction is fairly standard in cognitive science, the terminologies vary greatly. The procedural component consists of a person’s unreflective knowledge about how to act or interact in diverse situations and includes knowledge about how to greet and address different people as well as how to take part in religious activities or work. The representational or referential component consists of a set of properties that define one’s self-understanding. Ordinarily, this set is organized in a hierarchical format considering that some properties are more central to a person’s self-definition than others. Sex, for instance, is regarded as being more central to an individual than his or her shoe size. Both sorts of identity are due to common social practices and not individual decisions. To a large extent, external contacts tend to radically disrupt indigenous culture. For many people, external contacts render traditional ideas uncertain and complicate the performance of traditional practices. In doing this, they make cultural identity a serious problem. While questi ons about an individual’s relation to his or her tradition may arise at any time, they take place with unique force and scope as external contacts intensify. This also happens as the degree of severance increases and internationalization of ideas and acts fade or shift between opposed cultures. In short, the conflicts tend to be so strong and persistent that they constitute a challenge to the individual’s cultural identity and by extension, his or her personal identity.Advertising Looking for essay on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Effects of Cultural Identity Crisis on Culturally Diverse Groups In general, cultural identity crisis affects how people interact with one another in different areas of their daily lives. Among others, it affects people’s eating habits, how they worship, where they choose to live or study, and how they socialize with others in the society. It is quite comm on to notice people making every attempt to change how they live in order to be accepted in a particular culture. Quite often, cultures that are regarded as superior to others tend to dominate and individuals from less popular cultures find themselves in a dilemma as they have to decide whether to retain or denounce their own cultural practices in favor of others. Racism and Its Impact on Society Race is viewed as a social construction primarily recognized by characteristics that are mainly of a physical nature. According to McNeil (2006), racism generally refers to the unfriendly treatment of one ethnic group by another. It is founded on ignorance and is mostly associated with a state of narrow mindedness. There are numerous negative repercussions when people are discriminated based on race. By and large, racial discrimination subjects people to unfair treatment and makes them to be regarded as second rate citizens. In places where racism thrives, people operate in clusters dependi ng on the kind jobs they do, where they live, and how they socialize. In some cases, people may be condemned to take on certain jobs in the society and not others. The negativity that accompanies racial discrimination eventually interferes with the way people interact. Effects of Racism on Culturally Diverse Groups According to Maher (2011), racism and racial discrimination adversely affect mental health by diminishing a victim’s self image and confidence. According to research, victims mainly complain of suffering personal pain and anguish and seeing their job prospects ruined by institutional racism. They also complain about being deliberately isolated at work, ignored, victimized, or sacked and experience feelings of self-loathing, self-destruction. Victims also get affected by inferiority complex. In addition, racism causes health problems such as physical illness that often result in long periods of sick leave due to stress, depression, and anxiety.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Emerging Issues: interaction between people of different backgrounds and culture specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Manifestations of racism at the workplace include being refused references, leaving jobs due to undue pressure, denial of information about promotion opportunities, unclear procedures, unfair monitoring, being denied or consistently overlooked for promotion despite the fact that one may be well qualified, downgrading, and feeling that one has to suffer in silence or risk being isolated. Conclusion Beyond doubt, the effects of globalization will continue throughout the world. As a result, it is necessary to do everything possible in order to address the challenges that are presented by cultural identity crisis as well as racism and ethnic prejudice. This may be done by creating an environment that promotes both multiculturalism and multiplicity. Even though dealing with these issues may pose so me difficulty, a focused intervention is necessary. References Hogan, P. C. (2000). Colonialism and Cultural Identity: Crises of Tradition in the Anglophone Literatures of India, Africa, and the Caribbean. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press. Maher, M. J. (2011). Racism and Cultural Diversity: Cultivating Racial Harmony through Counseling, Group Analysis, and Psychotherapy. London, UK: Karnac Books Ltd. McNeil, D. E. (2006). Institutional Racism and Its Impact on Lives and Learning of African American Students. Ann Arbor, MI: ProQuest.