The value of cross-cultural studies Essay Example for Free

The harbor of cross-cultural studies EssayA cross-cultural study examines human behavior by comparing members of at least two take issueent societies. Comparing two groups that differ only in terms of enculturation allows researchers the opportunity to determine whether veritable traits, behaviors, and practices are culturally bound. In addition to differentiating contextual factors, wish socioeconomic status and education, from cultural factors, cross-cultural studies can also test hypotheses posed about a certain way of life. Cross-cultural studies also purpose questions of variations.Do traits like intelligence or self-esteem differ across different countries? Every culture cherishes its strengths and absorbs its weaknesses. Cross-cultural studies allow scientists and researchers to define the unique personalities of the worlds countries. A recent study by Fiori, Antonucci, and Akiyama (2008) is an example of a cross-cultural study that sought to answer the question of whether genial relationships among the elder differed between older Americans compared to older Japanese citizens.This research utilized archival data gathered for another study over a decade ago. Face-to-face interviews were conducted for approximately 60 minutes to determine how many, what quality, and what type of relationships elderly participants experienced. Different types of social networks were determined and labeled, including such types as family-focused, ace focused, and various types of restricted relationships (Fiori, Antonucci, Akiyama, 2008).All participants also consented to the disclosure of a number of wellness variables, including time of death. A statistical analysis examined the association between social networks and morbidity. One of the aims of this cross-cultural investigation sought to strike societal differences in social relationships. Fiori and colleagues concluded some types of relationships described by the elderly are divided by both the Japan ese and American cultures. These include family-centered and friend-centered.Other types of social networks are unique to that country, like the married/distal label attached to the Japanese tendency to experience the companionship of marriage with inadequate social contact with others. Social networks labeled diverse were exceptionally common in the United States and rarely observed in Japan. Elderly Americans also experienced two distinct barriers to social relationships, morphological restrictions and functional restrictions. Older adults who live far from family members and may be socially isolated experience structurally restricted socially networks.A functionally restricted social network includes proximal family members or contacts nevertheless these relationships fail to meet the emotional and social needs of the older individual. In addition to exploring cultural differences between the social networks of the elderly in Japan and the United States, this study also ident ified differences in associations to health and survival related to these relationships. Americans who reported functionally restricted relationships were at a much greater adventure for depressive symptoms and a number of negative health adversities.Those with structurally restricted relationships, however, demonstrated higher and faster grade of morbidity compared to participants who experienced other social network types. Interestingly, Japanese participants showed no difference in health variables or survival associated with social networks. The information garnered from this study can be applied to working with the elderly population. The need to consider social networks and cultural factors is clearly established.Future research can expand these findings to come apart interventions to target negative or nonexistent social relationships among the elderly. Longitudinal research is needed to draw a causal connection between social networks and health, but the importance of the se variables has certainly been emphasized by this study. References Fiori, K. L. , Antonucci, T. C. , Akiyama, H. (2008). Profiles of social relations among older adults A cross-cultural approach. Ageing and Society, 28, 203-231.