Psychology Culture

Introduction

When comparing and contrasting the social behaviors of my African American culture with that of white culture, there are both similarities and differences. For example, we may both shake hands when greeting someone, but African American culture has made more of an art of shaking hands than white culture has. African Americans may engage in a more elaborate custom of greeting with hand shaking, slapping, embracing, and so on, whereas white culture is typically more staid and less exhibitionist. But the way we speak to elders is likely to be different also. In my culture, it is respectful to address elders as "Sir" or "Ma'am", while in other white culture this may not be the case, depending on the situation: in some cases, it is expected that blacks will be more polite and respectful to non-blacks because of their inferior social settingand this is something that black authors have written about extensively, as for instance in Ralph Ellisons Invisible Man (Parker et al., 2016). Additionally, cultural influences such as religion and family structure may also differ. For instance, in many African American families, extended family members often live close by and play an active role in raising children. Additionally, church is a major focus of many homes in African American culture, and if it is not there tends to be trouble for those African American families that do not have this support (Avent & Cashwell, 2015). This is not always the case in white culture, where religion is playing less and less a central role in white families lives (Smith, 2021). Finally, when regulating emotion, African Americans tend to express emotions openly and freely, while people of white culture may bottle them up more. When it comes to communication and language, African Americans typically use a lot of hand gestures and body language when speaking, while people of white culture tend to be more reserved and less expressive in general. These are just some of the ways that my African American culture differs from others.

Social Behavior

Social behavior is shaped by a variety of influences, including culture, family, peers, and media. African American culture is unique in many ways, and one of the most notable aspects is the way it shapes social behavior. The media plays a role in shaping social behavior, and African Americans are often portrayed in a negative light in rap music, on television and in movies. For decades, African American culture was depicted in media as thuggish, dominated by gangs, which glorify in criminal activity (like with NWA and Straight Outta Compton and so on). Drug use, promiscuity, father abandonment, prison life, and more negative tropes have all been part of the medias depiction of African American culture for decades (Majavu, 2020). Part of this may have to do with the fact that black culture suffered an identity crisis in America in the 20th century, as Alice Walker shows in Everyday Use, which is about a young daughter returning home from college with a new ethnic identity totally fabricated and foreign to her actual background and upbringing (Marciano & Watson, 2021). So media is not the only influenceschool, peers, and groups are other big influences, as Bandura (2018) explains. By understanding the influences of social behavior in African American culture, we can gain insights into the unique way that this community functions. But white culture is impacted by the same influencesit just so happens that those influences carry different meanings, expressions, and forms.

For instance, whites in popular media are depicted in a more positive light generally and have been for as long as popular media has existed in this country. From movies to songs to commercials and so on, there appears to be more successful, more harmony, and more stability in the lives of whites than in the lives of blacks in popular media. This difference in representation can have a significant impact on social behavior, especially when it comes to race relations. For example, it could be that white people who were exposed to media with a high ratio of white to black characters may be more likely to harbor racial bias against blacks. In contrast, people who are exposed to media with a more balanced ratio of white to black characters could be less likely to display such bias. Media can influence both cultures and affect the way people observe themselves and how they feel about other cultures. When whites are portrayed as being more...…health play a significant role in how people approach maintaining their own health and well-being.

There are many factors that influence the health of individuals within a culture. In white culture, some of the primary influences include access to healthcare, education levels, and income. In African American culture, some of the primary influences include historical trauma, racism, and stress. These different factors can lead to disparities in health outcomes between the two groups. For example, studies have shown that African Americans are more likely to suffer from chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. They are also more likely to experience higher levels of stress and anxiety. While there are many factors that contribute to these disparities, it is clear that culture plays a role in shaping the health of individuals.

Conclusion

One of the most striking differences between white culture and African American culture is the way that each group communicates. In white culture, communication is often direct and to the point with little embellishment or display of big emotion, while in African American culture, communication is more likely to be indirect and to involve multiple layers of meaning, and it can also be much more expressive and full of big feeling. This difference can lead to misunderstandings, as each group may interpret the other's communication style in a negative light. Additionally, white culture tends to value individualism and independence, while African American culture places a greater emphasis on community and interdependence. This difference can also lead to conflict, as each group may see the other as being too controlling or not supportive enough. Finally, health disparities between white people and black people are well documented, with black people being more likely to suffer from chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension due to external stressors like poverty. These disparities are often rooted in socio-economic factors, such as low-income jobs and lack of access to quality healthcare. However, they can also be traced back to cultural factors, such as the way that each group views health and wellbeing. For example, white culture typically places a high value on personal responsibility for health, while African American culture is more likely to emphasize the collective responsibility of the community. Understanding these differences is essential for promoting…