Enculturation

Question 1

Define enculturation?

Answer 1

Enculturation is the process of learning and maintenance of the behaviours and norms of our own culture.

We develop culture through interacting with gatekeepers - like parents, media and school.

Can occur through direct tuition, observational learning and participatory learning, which are different ways in which an individual is exposed to a certain action, behaviour, belief or value.

Has effects on behaviour and cognitions, like what we prefer and our attitudes towards certain beliefs or ideas.

Question 2

Aim of Odden and Rochat?

Answer 2

To study the role of observational learning (based on social cognitive theory) in enculturation in Samoa

Question 3

Method of Odden and Rochat?

Answer 3

• 28 children (4-12 years) in a single Samoan village (as well as their caretakers and other adults surrounding these children)
  
  • Longitudinal study for 25 months
  • Observed children in different context
  • Conducted semi-structured interviews with adults and children
  • Looked at the behaviour of line fishing and conceptual understanding of rank and hierarchy
  • Carried out a multiple-choice test

Question 4

Findings of Odden and Rochat?

Answer 4

• Through interviews that many of the children’s skills had been acquired through observational learning.
  
  • Young males spend lots of time watching adults fish, receive no direct instruction
  • They start to experiment with the supervision of adults, then they are able to do it on their own
  • Samoan chlidren could learn abstract concepts by observing and listening to adults
  • They have a reasonably good understanding of the complex hierarchal system and social rules although no one had taught them according to multiple choice test

Question 5

Conclusion of Odden and Rochat?

Answer 5

• Cultural norms are not taught directly, but rather learned through the active observation by the children of the adults in the community