This paper discusses an approach to multicultural education aimed at sensitizing teachers and teacher trainees to diverse cultural patterns. This approach, which is called "Functional Multicultural Education", uses literary writings to emphasize awareness of the levels of cultural differences, both overt and pervasive, that exist in a pluralistic…

Findings are given of a cross-national study that explored the processes of children's development of identity by examining how children learn what their ethnic group is and how their group should act. Adults seem to influence cultural and personality development, with social standing being more important than ethnic background. (DF)

The paucity of citations of Torsten Husen writings is an example of cultural ethnocentrism and academic imperialism in U.S. educational and psychological research. Cross-cultural perspectives, interdisciplinary analyses, and global learning are proposed as methods of overcoming the methodological parochialism, overspecialization, and international…

Methodological problems caused by an ethnocentric view in analyzing another culture are discussed along with some aspects of culture analysis in general and stereotypes about other cultures and their functions in cross-cultural communication. It is suggested that miscommunication is subject to various norms and value systems that are not made…

Four person intercultural teams were found in which the three man majority in each group were American white males. An American white female, American black male or foreign male was the minority member. After 13 weeks of joint tasks, data was collected on roles claimed for self and attributed to others. Results are discussed in terms of…

Wide variation in approaches to teaching about Asia in the schools suggests a need for categorizing those approaches so that a teacher might see his approach in some relationship with others of differing persuasions. The following evolutionary levels of conceptualization are suggested; Asia as (1) a setting for Western history, where Western…

Explains how literary sources can help students understand the culture of other countries and give them insights into their own personalities and society. Describes an unbalanced American history course to indicate how bias can influence views of history and culture. ( Author/DB)

In commenting on Dobbert et al's article (this issue), submits that the guiding principle of cultural anthropology, participant observation, is absent from their field guide. Argues that difficulty in studying cultural transmission cross-culturally is not only related to diversity in content but to deeper differences in metaphysical outlook. (RDN)

Scholars have observed the historical change in emphasis in American society from Anglo conformity and the melting pot to the notions of cultural mosaic and cultural pluralism. A large number of institutions offer studies of ethnicity, racism, cultural differences, value clarification, and experience in teaching from a multicultural perspective.…

Although significant research on child development has been undertaken in the Third World, Euro-American paradigmatic limitations have prevented policymakers from applying the knowledge gained to child development programs there. Several suggestions are made for altering the situation. (PS)

Argues that child socialization is directed toward the development of instrumental competencies related to imperatives that vary across cultures. Criticizes the use of White middle-class standards in developmental research and proposes a cultural ecological model which studies competence in the context of the cultural imperatives of a given…

This publication is based on presentations prepared for the International Luncheon Program of the AASCU Annual Meeting in Washington, D. C. In addition to an introductory speech by Dr. Samuel L. Myers, the work contains a main address, response, and commentary. Dr. John Carpenter, speaking in the main address of the interculture imperative, makes…

Describes one teacher's experience teaching English in Japan, and the effect of this experience on his current teaching style in an American high school. Notes that he now injects Japanese culture into class discussion and frequently compares and contrasts English literature, language and cultural history with that of Japanese. (JG)

The video "Cultural Baggage" was created to parody stereotypes by which people are often labeled. Using comedy as the vehicle, this short video tape serves as a way to break down defenses and allow dialog to begin about how people can learn not to stereotype each other culturally or racially. The facilitator's manual is divided into four sections:…

Presents an activity designed to assist students in examining and reflecting on their personal values. Argues that students need to know themselves to explore the values of others and to develop an open-minded perspective on the cultural values of others. (DB)