Ecocultural Factors in Cognitive Style Among Children From Hills and Plains of Nepal

Abstract

The predictive value of the ecocultural model in the development of cognitive style was examined among the two cultural groups of Gurungs and Brahmins residing in contrasting ecologies of the hills and plains of Nepal. Acculturative influence of formal schooling was also analyzed. Story-l'ictorial EFT (S-P EFT) for measuring cognitive style was administered to 240 children of &8 years divided into eight equal sub-groups according to two types of ecologies, two cultures and two levels of education. A 2 X 2 X 2 ANOVA revealed significant main effects of ecology and schooling. Effect of culture was not significant, but it played a significant role in conjunction with ecology. Findings are discussed in the light of relative functional utility of disernbedding/analytical skill for the inhabitants of hills and plains.La valeur prtdictive du modble tco-culture1 dans le dkveloppement du style cognitif a ttt examinte chez deux groupes culturels, les Gurungs et les Brahmins, qui habitent dam les milieux tcologiques contrastts des collines et des plaines du Nepal. L'effet d'acculturation de I'Cducation fonnelle a Cgalement t t t analyd. Le test "Story-Pictorial EFT (S-P EFT)" servant A mesurer le style cognitif a t t t administrt B 240 enfants de 6 B 8 ans &vises en huit sous-groups tgaux selon les d e w types de milieu tcologique, les deux cultures et les deux niveaux d'tducation. Une analyse de variance 2 x 2 X 2 a rtvC1t des effets principaux significatifs du milieu ecologique et de I'tducation. L'effet de la culture n'ttait pas significatif, mais elle jouait une r81e sigmficatif en interaction avec le milieu tcologique. Les rtsultats sont discutts B la lumibre de I'utilitt fonctionnelle relative de I'habilett de dissectiodanalyse des habitants des collines et des plaines.Requests for reprints should be Sent to D. Sinha,

A Cross-cultural Perspective on Cognitive Development Theories used in Indian Settings

“…The ecological approach has also occupied a prominent place in psychological research during the last two decades (Berry, 1976;Berry et al, 1986;Bronfenbrenner, 1977;Mishra, Sinha, & Berry, 1996;Sinha, 1977Sinha, , 1982Sinha & Shrestha, 1992). In this approach, both the culture of groups and behaviour of individuals are considered as &dquo;adaptations&dquo; to the demands of their ecology.…”

Integration as the goal of indigenization: The cross-cultural psychology of Durganand Sinha.

“…Concerning such rural populations, Sinha conducted studies involving the Jaunsar-Bawar society in northwest Uttar Pradesh (D. Sinha & Bharat, 1985), as well as Gurung and Brahmin populations in Nepal (D. Sinha & Shrestha, 1992).…”

“…As an example, D. Sinha (1998) again refers to the example of reformulating Kohlberg's "model of moral development" to emphasize "dharma and other social duties that form the cornerstone of the Hindu ideal of interpersonal morality" rather than the Western value of "individual rights" (p. 26; see D. Sinha, 2015, p. 43, p. 47, citing Miller, Bersoff, & Harwood, 1990. As other examples, one might also consider the work of D. Sinha (1980) and D. Sinha and Shrestha (1992) that employs the ecocultural model of Berry (D. Sinha, 2015, p. 66;see Berry, 2018;Mishra et al, 1996;Misra & Dalal, 2015, p. xxii;Mishra, 2017, p. 121), Sinha's use of Maslow's theory of motivation (D. Sinha, 2015, p. 29, citing Maslow, 1954see D. Sinha, 2011, p. 107), or Sinha's adoption of the ecological systems theory of Bronfenbrenner (D. Sinha, 1982b, p. 27, citing Bronfenbrenner, 1981; see Misra & Dalal, 2015, p. xxi).…”

“…Regarding "the utility of Western tests," D. Sinha (1993) observes that, "Scholars are displaying caution in using these tests on unsophisticated, illiterate rural populations, and there is systematic effort underway to develop culturally appropriate tools" (p. 37). Concerning such rural populations, Sinha conducted studies involving the Jaunsar-Bawar society in northwest Uttar Pradesh (D. Sinha & Bharat, 1985), as well as Gurung and Brahmin populations in Nepal (D. Sinha & Shrestha, 1992). Despite an interest in developing culturally appropriate assessment strategies, an examination of the presence of indigenization in Indian research indicates that the adaptation of imported tests is more frequent than the innovation of endogenous tools (D. Sinha, 2015, p. 44).…”

“…As other examples, one might also consider the work of D. Sinha (1980) and D. Sinha and Shrestha (1992) that employs the ecocultural model of Berry (D.…”