Race and Ethnicity Culture Overview

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Questions and Answers

Which environmental system includes the individual's immediate family and friends?

Mesosystem

Exosystem

Macrosystem

Microsystem (correct)

How does the macrosystem influence development?

Through cultural norms and values (correct)

By providing immediate interpersonal relationships

By connecting different social settings

Through historical events only

What role does the exosystem play in an individual's development?

It involves environments that do not include the individual but affect their immediate context. (correct)

It solely focuses on cultural processes in society.

It directly impacts the individual's personality traits.

It represents the genetic factors inherited from parents.

Which principle underlines the evolutionary/sociobiological approach in behavior?

Natural selection favors individuals with adaptive traits. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of continuity vs. discontinuity in development, which perspective aligns with the idea of gradual changes over time?

Bronfenbrenner's bioecological model Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes continuity from discontinuity in development?

Continuity refers to gradual, cumulative change. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is considered a contributing element to a family's socioeconomic status (SES)?

The educational background of the adults. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects the concept of epigenetics in development?

Environmental factors can lead to changes in gene expression. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary focus of maturation theory as proposed by Arnold Gesell?

The nervous system's development primarily dictates the rate of growth. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the environment play in development according to the concepts presented?

It encompasses non-hereditary impacts on development. Signup and view all the answers

Which family structure is characterized by a two-generation household?

Nuclear family with parents and children. Signup and view all the answers

What are risk factors in the context of development?

Conditions that increase the likelihood of negative developmental outcomes. Signup and view all the answers

How does socioeconomic status (SES) indirectly influence developmental processes?

By affecting access to quality nutrition, healthcare, and education. Signup and view all the answers

How do gender roles influence individual development?

They lead to differences in experiences based on gender. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'ethnic gloss' refer to?

The overgeneralization of an ethnic group that obscures nuances. Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical period in development?

A specific point when an event has a significant impact on development. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor can influence a person's quality of health care?

Race, as it affects treatment and access to care. Signup and view all the answers

What role does historical context play in individual development?

It significantly influences the developmental path of individuals. Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of 'plasticity' refer to in development?

The flexibility and ability to adapt performance over time. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is a collective influence on socioeconomic status?

Family background and economic resources. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'nurture' refer to in the nature versus nurture debate?

Environmental factors and experiences affecting development. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Culture and Ethnicity

Culture encompasses conventions, traditions, beliefs, values, language, and tangible items, evolving with societal interactions.
An ethnic group shares genealogy, ethnicity, religion, language, or national origins to promote a common identity.
Ethnic gloss refers to the overgeneralization of an ethnic or cultural group, overlooking internal differences.
Race significantly affects treatment, living conditions, employment, healthcare quality, and community participation.

Gender

Gender roles and expectations influence individual development, leading to differentiated experiences.

Historical Context in Development

Historical and environmental contexts were previously overlooked in developmental studies; now they are integral to understanding life paths.
Early longitudinal studies revealed the impact of time and place on individual events.

Timing of Influences: Critical and Sensitive Periods

Imprinting describes a young animal's instinctive attachment to its first moving object during early development stages.
A critical period is a specific timeframe when the presence or absence of an event impacts development.
Plasticity reflects the capacity for performance modification over time.
The continuity-discontinuity debate examines if development is gradual (continuity) or consists of distinct stages (discontinuity).

Influences on Development

Heredity involves inborn characteristics from biological parents, while the environment covers experiential impacts.
Maturation is the process of typical physical and behavioral changes over time.
Epigenetics studies how genes may "change" due to development or environmental influences.

Family Context

The nuclear family consists of one or two parents and their biological, adopted, or stepchildren.
Extended families include multiple generations, often living together.

Socioeconomic Status (SES) and Neighborhood

SES is determined by family income and the educational/professional backgrounds of adults, influencing development through home quality, neighborhood, nutrition, healthcare, and education availability.
Risk factors increase the likelihood of negative developmental outcomes.

Bronfenbrenner's Bioecological Model of Development

Development is influenced by genetic makeup and embedded in environmental systems:
- The microsystem is the immediate living situation.
- The mesosystem links different microsystems.
- The exosystem connects larger social settings that indirectly affect the individual.
- The macrosystem encompasses the broader cultural context.
- The chronosystem includes life course transitions and sociohistorical events.

Evolutionary/Sociobiological Perspective

Wilson's approach underscores the evolutionary and biological bases for behavior, rooted in Darwin's survival of the fittest and natural selection theories.
Individuals with advantageous heritable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.
Ethology studies adaptive behaviors in species that enhance survival chances.
Evolutionary psychology applies Darwinian principles to understand individual behavior.

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Description

Explore the intricate tapestry of culture defined by race and ethnicity. This quiz delves into how cultural practices, beliefs, and values are transmitted through generations. Understand the dynamics of ethnic groups and the impacts of cultural shifts in society.