Cultural Psychology - Lecture 1: Maori Psychology

Question 1

What is Maori identity constructed in relation to?

Answer 1

The Māori world, and traditional knowledge exists in parallel with mainstream New Zealand society
New Zealand and global cultures
-> Maori identity in relation to Maori education and health systems etc
-> Feel different as a Maori depending on place e.g. marae compared to university -> all invite different experiences to what it means to be Maori

Question 2

What can the different experiences of being Maori come along with and the impacts?

Answer 2

Racism

• > resistance from Maori
• > marginalised identity of Maori in mainstream society

Question 3

Are Maori only present in NZ?

Answer 3

No - can relate to those of other countries -> sometimes Maori identities can be in relation to different cultural influences too

Question 4

Are Maori identities fluid, fixed and forced?

Answer 4

No - there isn’t one way or an authentic way of being Maori

Question 5

What is considered the benchmark of Maori identity?

Answer 5

Whakapapa (ancestry including adoption) -> its expression can be in multiple, diverse forms e.g. ballerina - still Maori but participates in wider sphere of activities to be authentic Maori
-> young ppl can find different ways of expression to that of older generation and are still considered Maori

Question 6

What is the one thing that means one is Maori, despite the fact there is no one way to be Maori?

Answer 6

Maori ancestry

Question 7

Māori culture, practices, and organisational structures…

Answer 7

exist in parallel with those of mainstream New Zealand society.

Question 8

Example of how Maori may have been influenced by other cultures

Answer 8

Over the years, Māori have accommodated to Pākeha and western culture, yet have also maintained knowledge systems and practices in relation to mainstream NZ society.

Question 9

Maori culture - differences

Answer 9

Commonalities with ‘kiwis’ yet also distinctive differences.

Differences are often hidden.

Question 10

What does a pepeha signify?

Answer 10

Understanding of who the person is in relation to physical landmarks/relationships that relate to them

Question 11

Maori Knowledge and the place: connection to self

Answer 11

Descartes’ understanding of the subject involved a focus on their ‘inner experience’, understanding how they perceive the ‘outside world’.
This contrasts with a Māori worldview that emphasises ‘connections to’ the ‘outside world’ (Mika, 2014).

Question 12

What do connections Maori have with others show?

Answer 12

They often draw on these connections to describe who they are

Question 13

Whanau

Answer 13

Means extended family/network of relations & birth

-> Extended relations closely interconnected with who Maori are centrally

Question 14

Hapu

Answer 14

Subtribe - several different whanau in one hapu and pregnancy
-> giving birth to next generation - connects to several whanau meaning of subtribe

Question 15

Iwi

Answer 15

Bones and tribe - understanding ourselves more generally

-> sheltering for next generation

Question 16

Whakapapa

Answer 16

Ancestral connections to people and places
Genealogy -> children are whakapapa - carry DNA and ancestry into future generations
-> continuity of past, present and future generations

Question 17

Do Maori see themselves as singular?

Answer 17

No in more broader terms of their relationships

Question 18

Harakeke metaphor for whanau

Answer 18

Mid section - kids
Bushy outside - parents
Branching out further - aunties, uncles, grandparents
Shoots at edges - way to pass on - making room for future generations

Question 19

Are whanau always biologically related?

Answer 19

Whānau can include people who are not biologically related, called ‘kaupapa whānau’

Question 20

Matauranga Maori

Answer 20

Maori knowledge - not just static/entity across generations -> often gets outdated
Also referred to as ‘traditional knowledge’, ‘Indigenous knowledge’

Question 21

When did Matauranga Maori start?

Answer 21

Predates European imperialism and colonialism and travelled with Māori in voyages across the Pacific Ocean

Question 22

What does Matauranga Maori include?

Answer 22

Creative works, science, psychology

Question 23

Matauranga Maori - creative works

Answer 23

Carving, weaving, oratory, Kapa haka

e.g. weaving often just beyond surface level -> philosophy for life -> being an ethical person

Question 24

Matauranga Maori - science

Answer 24

Astronomy, fishing and gardening
e.g. Maramataka calender - lunar calender which influences landscape
being in communication with natural world and landscape

Question 25

Matauranga Maori - psychology

Answer 25

Stories, songs, visions, prophecies, teachings, genealogies, and memories
e.g. songs - celebratory occasions - remind what’s important in world -> patterns of recovery/resilience
prophecies - intuitive experts understand past to understand future - guide ppl to step away from problems/resolve psychological trauma which may be encountered in present

Question 26

Tikanga

Answer 26

Customary practices, etiquette - “ethics” - how to behave with ppl around us or in certain times (seriousness, grief etc) and boundaries in such situations e.g. to look after them and be there for them
Processes and practices that ensure coherence with mātauranga Māori -> passed through generations
Includes powhiri, marae processes, hospitality, meeting people

Question 27

Rahui

Answer 27

Ban on something/place of death to show respect for person

Question 28

Tapu

Answer 28

Sacredness and potential that exists within every human person ‘te tapu o te tangata’ -> relates to ppl around us - ppl deserve to be nurtured as they are sacred
-> heightened state of significance, spirituality
A spiritual attribute, inherited at birth
Interconnected with whānau - how they look after us, how sacredness and potential is being nurtured in different whanau/generational contexts
Can inform behavioural restrictions based on contextual circumstances eg. rahui

Question 29

Noa

Answer 29

The opposite state of being than tapu - bring to ordinary state
To treat someone disrespectfully is considered a whakanoa, to attempt to render a person ‘noa’
Can also mean to lift a tapu restriction, and make something publically accessible - freedom
Food is considered noa - brings ppl into ordinary state

Question 30

Mana

Answer 30

Power, honour, prestige, authority, influence, self-esteem. Knowing who you are, where you come from, and why you are here.
-> similar to tapu

Question 31

Mana is part of…

Answer 31

an interrelated system

Question 32

What can mana be derived from?

Answer 32

Atua, tangata and whenua

Question 33

What can mana be exercised in relation to?

Answer 33

tangata and whenua

Question 34

Mana can be…(positive)

Answer 34

enhanced, nurtured, strengthened, gained, inherited or acquired and used to bless others

Question 35

Mana can be…(negative)

Answer 35

stripped, change depleted, damaged, trampled on, abused, and even lost.

Question 36

How can mana be regained?

Answer 36

Mana can be strengthened by encouraging people in their voice, power to choose, their sense of honour, authority and decision making