The Influence of Globalization
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By Rebecca Naughton
Globalization can be defined as values of global culture that are based on individualism, free market economics and democracy; freedom of choice, individual rights, openness to change and tolerance of differences. In IB Psychology we are interested in how globalization can affect our behavior, in both positive and negative ways. This can link to many parts of study that we have discussed in class. For example, globalization can have an impact on Social Identity Theory, providing more access to out-groups and reaffirming our in-groups. Hogg and Vaughan (2005) state people can relate to as many identities as there are to be attached to. Because of this, globalization could lead to people having a local identity, a global identity, a bicultural identity or identity confusion. Kauffman (1991) conducted case study of US women who grew up in secular Jewish homes but converted to Orthodox Judaism in their teens or early twenties because they felt orthodox Judaism offered a “definite place in the world” and they found the tradition and clear guidance for how to live their lives comforting. Globalization had led to identity confusion, so the women chose to reject their original secular culture and find their identity in Orthodox Judaism.
Globalization also relates to our work studying cultural dimensions. Cultural dimensions, such as individualism vs collectivism, affect our behavior. With the rise of globalization, we see when traditionally collectivist cultures are influenced by individualistic cultures, it can lead to identity confusion and decrease interpersonal relationships. Ogihara and Uchida (2014) conducted a study with the aim to see the Negative effects of individualism in an East Asian culture. They compared Japanese students and US students studying in the US. They found Japanese students identifying as more individualistic had fewer close relationships and lower subjective well-being. The more individualistic culture of the USA, to which they were introduced through global travel has a negative impact on their well-being and relationship building.
Globalization can also lead to changes in our mental health. A study by Becker et al (2002) investigated in a natural experiment the role television had on the rise of eating disorders in Fijian teenage girls. Girls with TV in homes were three times more likely to have an Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) score greater than 20 which is considered a risk for eating disorders. Girls began saying that they felt fat or were dieting with 69% of girls having tried dieting and 75% of teenage girls saying they felt too big or fat. The introduction of TV to the Fijian society, with access to western shows, changed the attitudes and behaviors of Fijian girls. Globalization is shown to be influencing cultures causing changes in behavior. Globalization can be leading to challenges in our concept of self, as eastern and western cultures have had differences in their concept of self, which could lead to issues in diagnosing and treating mental illnesses.
