EDF 2085 Reflection #11

Jackie Lawrence
EDF 2085
Reflection Paper #11

It takes time and experience to cultivate a common culture, and culture is often the underlying reason people think and behave as they do. A group of closely related people will ultimately form a universal system of beliefs, convictions, values, attitudes, and behaviors. Once certain aspects of culture are formed and learned, change can be difficult. Even more so, tolerating and accepting someone else’s cultural attitudes may seem impossible. However, culture is learned, and anything learned can always be unlearned.
The article “Beliefs, Values, and Attitudes” taught me that in order to progress towards multicultural awareness, beliefs, values, and attitudes must sometimes change. And in order to change, one must be exposed to new information that seems reasonable and realistic. Paradigm shifts can occur, even when it comes to prejudice and discriminatory outlooks. All people have an innate need for affiliation, because stress is decreased if interpersonal relationships are present and healthy. Hence, various clusters of people form, and prejudicial attitudes may materialize towards those outside of the in-group. These views are rooted in fear, ignorance, and isolation. Therefore, as a school psychologist, it is imperative I am aware of the various cultural backgrounds of the children I deal with on a day to day basis. Additionally, I need to research the general beliefs and attitudes of each so I can be prepared and knowledgeable of what’s in store. According to the article, because my students will be interacting with me in their environment, I will have some type of influence on their belief system. I think the most significant concept I obtained from reading the article is that it will be primarily my responsibility to strive for an understanding and respect between my students that are different from each other. When counseling, I need to focus on creating a multicultural understanding between kids of all ethnic groups, religions, and social classes. If I can do my part in decreasing prejudice and discrimination just a little in our very diverse world, then I have done my job.