Lillian moved from Iowa to New Zealand for work. Within a couple weeks, Lillian noticed that she needed much more sleep and was persistently feeling uncomfortable and disoriented because she was experiencing
Multiple Choice
ethnocentrism.
culture shock.
reverse assimilation.
gender inequality.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is culture shock.
Explanation:
Culture shock refers to the feelings of discomfort, disorientation, and emotional stress that individuals experience when they move to a new culture. This is common when someone relocates to a foreign country or immerses themselves in a significantly different cultural environment. In Lillian’s case, her experiences of needing more sleep, feeling uncomfortable, and being disoriented in New Zealand are indicative of the physiological and psychological challenges often associated with culture shock.
Culture shock typically progresses in stages. Initially, there is excitement and fascination with the new surroundings (the honeymoon phase), but as time goes on, the individual may begin to feel overwhelmed by the differences in customs, food, language, and social norms. In Lillian’s case, these feelings of discomfort and disorientation within a few weeks suggest she is moving through the early stages of culture shock.
The symptoms of culture shock can vary, but they often include fatigue, trouble sleeping, irritability, confusion, loneliness, and frustration. These are not uncommon reactions when someone is adjusting to a completely different environment, as the body and mind are adjusting to new time zones, social expectations, and cultural practices. The need for more sleep could be related to the adjustment of her circadian rhythms to a new time zone, while feelings of discomfort may stem from unfamiliarity with the local culture and lifestyle.
Why not the other choices?
- Ethnocentrism refers to the belief that one’s own culture is superior to others. Lillian’s experience of discomfort does not suggest she is evaluating New Zealand’s culture in this way; rather, she is struggling to adapt to it.
- Reverse assimilation happens when someone from a foreign culture adopts the cultural norms of the new society at the expense of their own. There is no indication that Lillian is adopting New Zealand’s culture at the cost of her original identity.
- Gender inequality refers to disparities between the genders in rights, responsibilities, and opportunities. There is no mention of Lillian experiencing gender-related issues, making this option irrelevant to her situation.