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Study of Enculturation in Samoa

Oden and Rochat (2004) studied enculturation in Samoan children, focusing on how they learn cultural norms through observational learning rather than direct instruction. Over 25 months, researchers observed that children learned to fish by watching adults and assimilated cultural knowledge through vicarious reinforcement. The study demonstrated that cultural norms are acquired by children through active reconstruction from their observations and interactions within their community.

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Hajara Sanda
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105 views1 page

Study of Enculturation in Samoa

Oden and Rochat (2004) studied enculturation in Samoan children, focusing on how they learn cultural norms through observational learning rather than direct instruction. Over 25 months, researchers observed that children learned to fish by watching adults and assimilated cultural knowledge through vicarious reinforcement. The study demonstrated that cultural norms are acquired by children through active reconstruction from their observations and interactions within their community.

Uploaded by

Hajara Sanda
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Enculturation SAQ

Explain one study of enculturation

Enculturation is the process of how we adopt behaviours that are within our cultural norms.
Cultural norms can be explained as shared values, beliefs and behaviours within a given
society. An important theory states that we learn these cultural norms by observational
learning (social cognitive theory). That is when a learner observes a model either directly or
indirectly, they tend to imitate the behaviour of the model. A learner successfully imitates a
model when; the learner remembers the model's behaviour plus has the ability (self-efficacy)
and desire to reproduce observed behaviour. Learned new cultural norms are then
assimilated into an individuals’ schema, so that they are at equilibrium with the societal
expectations. The learner becomes more/less inclined to imitating a behaviour based on any
reinforcement that the model receives (vicarious reinforcement). Factors that increase the
likelihood of imitation include identification with the model. For example a male child may
want to imitate the actions of a man, as he has identified the with him by sex.

Oden & Rochat (2004) aimed to investigate the role of social cognitive theory on the
development of cultural norms in Samoa. Within their culture, the investigators wanted to
observe the behaviour of line fishing. To do this a group of 28 children from a single Samoan
village were used, which were observed and interviewed longitudinally over 25 months. In
Samoan culture parents have a largely non-interventionist approach to teaching children,
meaning they do not explicitly teach them of any cultural practices. As there is little fishing
equipment, children do not participate in fishing with adults. Instead they spend a significant
amount of time observing fishing adults. For example, young males spend a lot of time
watching the adult males fish. Researchers noted that children around 10 years old would
borrow the adults' fishing equipment and experiment by themselves without adult
supervision. By age 12 years, most children can fish on their own. The researchers also
found that children are not taught the social rules of Samoa directly. But rather observe their
parents and overhear conversations of others within their culture. Through a questionnaire
given to 46, twelve-years of age, it showed the vast majority knew about their cultural norms.
It appears that the cultural norms are taught directly, but through active reconstruction by the
children of the adults in the community.

Oden and Rochat, through their study, demonstrated the process by which Samoan children
learn their cultural norms. The Samoan children learnt these cultural norms through
observational learning, as seen in the model of adult Samoan village members. Gradually
through observing parents or overhearing conversation within their community, the Samoa
children assimilated new knowledge of their culture,(through vicarious reinforcement) until it
were at equilibrium with reality. The process of enculturation can thus be observed by Oden
and Rochat.

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