Hmmm...

In reviewing the literature and assigned readings (not just for this class), I often find myself overwhelmed by this sort of disconnect or divide between the theoretical and practical approaches to cultural issues, particularly as they relate to psychology.
Below I will briefly address but one of these contradictions:
Often times it seems as though we refer to our culture as something that makes us unique…an individual. However, it can be suggested that we created culture and that by identifying with it, we imply that we share common beliefs, goals, etc. Along these lines, it can be suggested that identifying with a certain culture is efficient and essential for survival/success because we can base our behaviors and actions on the beliefs, attitudes, and experiences of others “like us,” thus providing an unconditional sense of community, belonging, support. Further, by identifying with a certain culture we may embrace and implement the positive attributes associated with our culture and be better equipped to deal with our experiences, attain our goals etc. Conversely, when it comes to negative attributes associated with our cultures, we might be expected to surrender such cultural collectiveness or unification and consider ourselves culturally unique.
In addition to the “culturally unique vs. culturally unified” contradiction, other dichotomies pertaining to culture and psychology come to mind: culture as a product of psychology vs. psychology as a product of culture; culture is created vs. inherent/inherited; past, present, future cultural values; implementation/active participation vs. rejection of cultural values/norms; majority vs. minority; awareness vs. ignorance; acknowledgement vs. bias; individual experience vs. experience of a group; and the list could go on.
From an evolutionary perspective, “culture” seems to have replaced food, water and shelter as the most critical resource for human survival. Specifically, it can be argued that certain aspects of our culture influence what we eat, how and where we live, how we define, measure and attain success, etc. However, unlike some natural mechanisms, culture can be changed. And apparently, psychology can be changed. It is very nice to know that so much attention and discussion have been devoted to this issue. I guess for the sake of continuity, I will conclude with another kind of paradox (?): with respect to psychology and culture as interdependent entities, I have great hope for and major concern about what the future will hold. But…mostly hope.