Briefly describe how cultural beliefs and values can cause stress for people in individualistic cultures as compared to people in collectivistic cultures.

Answer:

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: People who are generally more optimistic tend to handle stress in a more adaptive way than people who are more pessimistic. Optimistic individuals, or those who generally tend to expect good outcomes, often have better health and less depression than pessimistic individuals, or people that tend to expect the worst. Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: Cultural beliefs and values generally influence what individuals consider important to strive for or accomplish. Given that cultures differ in societal beliefs and values, what causes individuals stress can differ as well. Individuals in individualist cultures, for example, may experience stress as a result of pressure to become autonomous and independent, whereas individuals in collectivistic cultures may experience more stress as a result of pressure to maintain group harmony and connections with others. Despite what is valued by one’s culture, if an individual feels limited in striving to achieve what is defined as “important” by their culture, stress can result.