INDIGENOUS UNDERSTANDING OF ACHIEVEMENT IN EAST ASIA

Definition

“…the scientific study of human behavior or mind that is native, that is not transported from other regions and that is designed for its people (Kim & Berry, 1993, p. 2).

Descriptive Foundation for Later Empirical Verification

Tenets of Indigenous Psychology

    Contextual Understanding
    Applicable to All Groups
    Multi-method
    Internal and External Viewpoints Needed
    Translate into Psychological Constructs
    Discovery of Genuine Universals
    Transactional Paradigm
        
East-West Comparisons of Academic Achievement

    Traditional Psycho-educational Perspective

        Biology
        Individualistic Values
        Structural Features

    Traditional Perspective Does Not Explain Differences

East Asian Model of Academic Achievement

    Socialization and Proxy Control

        Parent-child Relationship
        Mother’s Role
        Interdependent Identification

    Self-regulation and Persistence
    
        Moral Character
        Collective View of Success

    Compatibility of Values and Collective Self-efficacy

        Agreement on Goals and Methods
        Motivational Enhancement

    A Note about Delinquency and School Violence

        Stress
        Not Meeting Expected, Collective Standards

East-West Organizational Culture

    Capitalism Indigenized
    
    Emphasis on Human Relatedness

        Paternalism
        Loyalty
        Community

    Rewards Reflect Cultural Values

        Individual vs. Group Performance                
        Quid Pro Quo vs. Seniority    
        Immediate vs. Long-term
        Selfish vs. Sacrificial

    Sources for Outcomes

        Dynamism vs. Discontent
        Stability vs. Turnover

    Transparency – Trust, Accountability

DISCUSSION:

➢    Has exposure to Western values contributed to the adverse outcomes of high educational achievement in East Asia?

➢    What implications does the human-relatedness approach have for the economic recovery and enhanced competitiveness of U.S. companies?