This activity will help you understand the concept of culture bound syndrome. Read carefully the description of each disorder. Then, address as bet as you can the two questions.
1. Amok: Known in Malaysia; similar patterns may occur elsewhere. Amok is a sudden rage in which an otherwise normal person goes berserk, sometimes hurting those in his path. Brooding is followed by a violent outburst; it is often precipitated by a slight or insult. The symptoms seem to be prevalent among men. It was well known to the British colonial rulers of Malaysia and has therefore passed into the English language, “running amok.” Cases of amok are still reported today in Malaysian newspapers.
1A. What components of the syndrome do you see as specific to the culture that it is found in? [3-4 sentences minimum]
1B. What components of the syndrome can be found in cultures you are familiar with? [3-4 sentences minimum]
2. Zar: Known in Ethiopia, Somalia, Egypt, Sudan, Iran, and elsewhere in North Africa and the Middle East. This is the belief in possession by a spirit, causing shouting, laughing, head banging, singing, or weeping. Individuals may show apathy and withdrawal, refusing to eat or carry out daily tasks, or may develop a long-term relationship with the possessing spirit. Such behavior is not necessarily considered pathological in local settings.
2A. What components of the syndrome do you see as specific to the culture that it is found in? [3-4 sentences minimum]
2B. What components of the syndrome can be found in cultures you are familiar with? [3-4 sentences minimum]
3. Pibloktoq. Known in people from the Artic and sub-Artic Inuit communities, such as Greenland Eskimos. The syndrome is found throughout the Artic with local names. Symptoms include extreme excitement, physical violence, verbal abuse, convulsions, and short coma. During the attack, the individual may tear off his clothing, break furniture, shout obscenities, eat feces, flee from protective shelters, or perform other irrational or dangerous acts. The individual may be withdrawn or mildly irritable for a period of hours or days before the attack and will typically report complete amnesia of the attack.
3A. What components of the syndrome do you see as specific to the culture that it is found in? [3-4 sentences minimum]
3B. What components of the syndrome can be found in cultures you are familiar with? [3-4 sentences minimum
4. Watch the video below :-
share your thoughts on the extent to which these ideas play a role in situations you are familiar with, have experienced or witnessed. Try to account for the psychological consequences of being in a high vs. low power position and how it may be linked to important health outcomes.
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