The environment and socialization can influence temperament within limits initially defined by heredity. Each of the subsystems is influenced by, and in turn influences, a child's individual temperament. A child's behavior will initiate a specific response from a caretaker in a particular setting. However, these responses differ from one environmental setting to another. According to the Goodness of Fit, Thomas and Chess assert that it is not the individual child's temperament itself that is related to future maladjustment but rather match or mismatch of the child's temperament that predicts problematic behavior.
2. Distinguish among different cultural constructions of person and self as described in the chapter.
The "self" is different among cultures because each person responds differently to his/her environment, and cultural context. These views are expressed differently based on early exposure to differing views and beliefs of a person in general. The self-concept according to the book is the perception of oneself as a person with desires, preferences, attributes, and abilities. An example of the difference of self through cultures is shown well in childrearing practices. For collectivist cultures the Welfare of the individual is introduced and reinforced. Children are taught that their primary goal is independence and the "establishment of a unique self, through, individualistic cultures. Ex: of the self in Buddhism is based on a psychological system rather than religion. The focus of self in Buddhism clouds a person's perception and experience according to this limited belief (self) and is unaware of the reality beyond.
3. Describe independent and interdependent conceptions of self as they relate to the larger cultural dimension of individualism/collectivism.
Since different cultures have different concepts on self, in a large cultural dimension, independent conceptions of self can suggest that one may focus more on the person than on the context when perceiving and evaluating behavior. A collectivist society reflects behavior in which the exosystem comes in contact with the customs, and values of their culture.
4. Critically evaluate the cross-cultural validity of Erikson's ideas on identity formation.
The problem with Erikson's theory is the fact that culture doesn't really play a part in his idea of psychological development. His ideas were based on Western societies. Although Erikson discussed various relationships based on different developmental stages, he failed to focus on the relationships in cultures than American culture.
5. Use the concept of social clocks as a developmental framework and apply it to a variety of specific ecological systems.
The social clock is the schedule by which individuals are presumed to complete the major tasks within lifespan.