A Cultural Formulation Approach to Career ... - ResearchGate
A Cultural Formulation Approach to Career ... - ResearchGate
A Cultural Formulation Approach to Career ... - ResearchGate
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Leong et al. 475<br />
Activities. Persons from individualistic cultures generally do not put much s<strong>to</strong>ck in<br />
group activities. For example, family celebrations may be avoided especially if they<br />
conflict with personal goal attainments. However, persons from collectivistic cultures<br />
strongly adhere <strong>to</strong> the norms and values of the group, <strong>to</strong> the point that they feel<br />
a strong obligation <strong>to</strong> sacrifice and conform <strong>to</strong> group expectations (Triandis et al.,<br />
1988). For example, financial support in some Asian families is accomplished<br />
through sacrifice of independence and au<strong>to</strong>nomy by living in joint families. <strong>Career</strong><br />
counselors who operate from an individualist worldview may erroneously interpret<br />
such activities as evidencing career immature dependence on the needs and values of<br />
the family. Questioning an Asian American client’s choices from this perspective is<br />
likely <strong>to</strong> communicate a devaluing of the client and his or her family that is likely <strong>to</strong><br />
rupture the therapeutic relationship<br />
Attitudes. Individualistically oriented individuals tend <strong>to</strong> have ambivalent feelings<br />
<strong>to</strong>ward their in-group members and extended families and at times these can be negative,<br />
whereas collectivistic-oriented individuals tend <strong>to</strong> have strong positive feelings<br />
<strong>to</strong>ward their in-group members. Collectivistic-culture-focused individuals are<br />
also more likely <strong>to</strong> display positive attitudes in their vertical relationships (e.g.,<br />
Asian Americans show tremendous respect for their elders such as father son, etc.)<br />
and in relationships that have power differentials (e.g., boss and employee).<br />
Harmony and cooperation are ideal characteristics. Individualistic-culture-focused<br />
persons display the most positive attitudes in horizontal relationships (spouse<br />
spouse, friend friend) and display ambivalent feelings <strong>to</strong>ward individuals in<br />
authority positions. Competition and interpersonal discourse are considered acceptable<br />
in individualistic communities, depending on the relative costs versus pros.<br />
Both of the groups value self-reliance, but persons from collectivistic cultures use<br />
self-reliance as a way not <strong>to</strong> burden the community even though most extended families<br />
would prefer that their children come <strong>to</strong> them in times of need. Persons from<br />
individualistic cultures use self-reliance as a way <strong>to</strong> obtain personal goals via independence<br />
and at times competition can be a valued aspect of that process <strong>to</strong>ward<br />
attaining those personal goals (Triandis et al., 1988)<br />
In terms of the therapeutic relationship, career counselors need <strong>to</strong> be aware of<br />
how Asian American clients may see the counseling relationship as vertical, with the<br />
counselor in the superordinate or expert role. Deference <strong>to</strong> the counselor’s opinion<br />
and seeking of advice therefore does not necessarily represent passivity or<br />
dependence on the part of the client but rather a culturally appropriate deference<br />
<strong>to</strong> the counselor’s legitimate authority (cf. Sue & Sue, 2008).<br />
Values. The following are considered values important for collectivistically<br />
oriented individuals: harmony, face saving, filial piety, modesty, moderation, thrift,<br />
equality of distribution of rewards, and fulfilling other’s needs before one’s own.<br />
Status is defined through ascription, and this suggests importance being placed on<br />
the past and the present. For example, Asian Americans believe that they have<br />
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