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Re: Deviant Deviancy? Rec. for field site for psych. anth?
(hlyshol@cix.compulink.co.uk)
Wed, 7 Dec 1994 21:28:12 GMT
> Im not entirely sure this is a worthwhile thing to post,
> but Im really looking for all the help I can get.
> Im an undergraduate Anthropolgy student interested in "Deviancy"/
> "Psychological" anthro. (Im a neurosci. and behavior double major)
> > Im looking for a location to do field research for my thesis...
> my problem is that most of the material on these topics dates from
> mid-70'sor earlier, Im interested in addressing the emic/etic concerns
> associated with applying Western Psychology to other cultures...
> for example, it strikes me that a disorder like Bulimia is pretty >
culture-specific. I releize their are problems
> with making an easy seperation between psychology and physiology.
> > What it comes down to is, I have my ideas, but finding a place to
apply
> them is proving rather difficult. Ive looked at so called "Culture
> Bound Syndromes" and Im certainly interested in them
> (esp. the "arctic hysteria" of the eskimos and the "old hag" syndrome
> (sleep paralysis) discovered in certain newfoundland fishing
> communities...Is it possible to still study these behaviors, or have
> they been > westernized away? > Does anyone have reccomendations of
interesting examples of "deviant > Deviancy" (Types of "madness" or
deviant behavior that seem at contrast
> to accepted american/psychiatric ideas) or examples of interesting
> treatment of those considered "mad" within a paticular culture, or
> that we would consider mad(Im trying to avoid shamanism here as its
> over-studied)?
> > Any help or recommendations of sources(articles/books) would be
GREATLY
> APPRECIATED.
> > thanks,
> -Peter G.
My thesis advisor, who did his field work in Japan, once told me that
Japanese catatonics stand up and bow when their doctor enters the room,
because not to greet a person of authority would be unthinkable. Western
catatonics are simply frozen and don't react to their doctors - they're
not expected to!
Were you looking for something like this? I have no idea whether anyone
has written about this...
Heidi Lyshol
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