Analysis of Framework for Cultural Assessment, Coursework Example

Overview:cultural and personality centered assessments

Various frameworks for cultural assessment exist depending on the disciplines to which they are applicable. For example, Lenartowicz Tomasz and Roth, Kendall (2014) proposed a framework for cultural assessment based on the assumption that social scientists lack a universal understanding of what constitutes culture(Tomasz & Kendall, 2014).

Therefore, the researchers contend that while the basis for cultural assessment is strongly linked to a social definition imposed through national boundaries; the need for a framework/ methodology consisting of a distinct systematic approach as well as rigorous strategiesapplicable towardsdesigning relevant accurate cultural assessment tools has become mandatory. The two cultural assessment approaches were evaluated; namely cultural and personality centered. In this article strengths and weaknesses of both will be analyzed as frameworks for cultural assessment (Tomasz & Kendall, 2014).

Strength

Culture-centered approaches are considered ethnographic assessments applying qualitative research methods, which is a great advantage since the evaluator does not have to contend with numerous statistics during explanation of findings. Also, when compared to personal-centred assessment whereby quantitative evaluation of data is conducted, a great strength using this method is its accuracy above qualitative descriptions. Consequently, this is the magnificent strength this framework brings to  thecultural assessment process(Leininger, 2001).

Weakness

While using descriptive data in explanting a cultural phenomenon may be more simplistic and understandable to the non-scientific mind;ultimately the data collection process could be less accurate when compared to a personal centered quantitative approach. As such, this is a disadvantage in using a single culture – centeredevaluation when a particular behaviour is being assessed. Alternatively, the complexity of interpreting  statistical representations of behavior types often makes it very difficult for the ordinary person to understand the assessment profile when a person centered approach is undertaken (Leininger, 2001).

References

Leininger M (2001).Leininger’s acculturation health care assessment tool for cultural patterns in traditional and non-traditional lifeways.J Transcult Nurs, 2(2):40-2.

Tomasz, L., & Kendall, R. (2014).A Framework for Culture Assessment (analysis of methods for understanding cultural difference)(Illustration). Journal of International Business Studies.