Cultural Encounter Experience (40 points)
© Linh Nguyen Littleford, PhD, Ball State University
For this assignment, you are to complete a cultural encounter and write about your experience. The purpose of a
cultural encounter is for you to experience what it may feel like to be “different.” The paper should be 5-6
double-spaced pages, 12 point type, with .5” margins. Please take the page length seriously.
Although I encourage you to attend cultural events and lectures, these activities will not usually allow you to
fully immerse in the experience of being different. Therefore, you may not count attendance at a lecture as a
cultural encounter experience. In addition, merely observing a cultural event is not sufficient. Instead, plan to
engage in activities that are challenging and that you would not normally engage in, which may be emotionally
difficult. Make sure that to avoid activities that might cause you irrevocable harm or place you in situations that
are extremely distressing or are illegal. I will not take responsibility for the consequences of your behaviors.
Finally, this must be a “new” encounter – one completed for this class. It cannot be based on something you
have done in the past or something you are currently doing anyway. So, for example, if you violated a norm for
a previous class, if you work in a diverse setting, or have completed Safe Zone Training, choose a different
option for this class.
As you choose your assignment, keep in mind that an important goal is to experience a sense of “otherness.”
Please be sure to choose an encounter that will broaden your perspective. If you interview your parents, for
example, and they generally share your values and perspective or if you choose to attend a church fairly similar
to your own, you will not likely meet the goals of the assignment. Again, this must be a new situation for you,
not something you’ve already done or are doing. Each of us, including me, can find a new experience that will
broaden our understanding of diversity. If you need help finding ideas, please let me know.
Very Important: You are to treat people with respect and not as your “subjects” to be experimented upon.
Relatedly, please make sure that you ask permission from the appropriate authority whenever possible (e.g.,
before visiting a place of worship). If you engage in activities that result in the mistreatment of others or do not
adhere to these guidelines, you will not earn any credit for this assignment and may face additional reprimands.
Prior Approval: Even if the activity you choose is on the list below, you must have my prior approval before
you carry it out. You may also suggest your own cultural encounter ideas. To obtain approval, write a brief
paragraph stating what you will do for each encounter and turn it into me. Include enough detail for me to
understand how each activity meets the criteria described above. Please attach your approved proposal to the
final paper. (This applies even if I emailed your approval to you. It is your responsibility to print and attach it to
your paper.) If you want to change your project, you must get that reapproved. If you turn this in late, you will
need to use a late pass.
Here are some examples of the cultural encounters that you might consider:
1. For at least 3 hours, in at least 3 different settings, compare your experiences with those of a culturally
different classmate as you attempt to rent an apartment, obtain a loan, purchase a car, purchase a computer,
apply for a job, go shopping, etc.
2. For at least 3 hours, in at least 3 different settings, change your physical appearance (e.g., dress up vs. dress
down to convey different socioeconomic status) and attempt to rent an apartment, obtain a loan, purchase a car,
purchase a computer, apply for a job, or go shopping, etc. Change your physical appearance again, repeat your
behaviors, and compare your experiences.
3. For at least 2 hours, speak to family members about at least one cultural diversity issue (race, sexual
orientation, religion, etc.). This should not be about your own group membership (i.e., gays or lesbians talking
to their parents about sexual orientation or a person from a Catholic family talking about that religion).
4. For at least 3 hours, in at least 3 different settings, violate a cultural norm.
5. Interact (not just interview) with someone from a different culture for at least 3 hours.
*6. Walk around campus and for two days follow the paths that someone in a wheelchair would need to use. So,
always use ramps and enter the building with the wheelchair button doors. As you are walking, keep in mind
that you can’t easily “pass people.” When you go to class, sit at a desk for wheelchair users if one is available.
Wherever you go, think about the extra space your chair will take up. At home, think about how you would
navigate using a wheelchair (door entry, bathroom access, countertop height, etc.)
*7. Wear blindfolds or ear plugs and attempt to spend a day doing what you normally would do.
8. For at least 3 hours, participate in an activity where you are the cultural “minority.”
*If you choose 6 or 7, you must also interview a person with a similar disability about their own experiences.
Guidelines for Paper
The following questions should be addressed in your paper. Take the time to look at the grading rubric to be
sure you have covered all elements clearly and completely.
1. Description of the experience (e.g., what cultural dynamics did you observe?)
2. Why did you choose this experience and how was this experience challenging for you?
3. How did it feel to experience “otherness” at this event?
4. What insights did you gain from this experience?
5. Will this experience impact your personal and professional behaviors? If so, in what ways? If not, why?
6. Last (but certainly not least) discuss how your cultural encounter relates to at least two readings from the
course and one outside reading. The outside reading cannot be one of the assigned readings and cannot come from
our course reading book. It does not have to be about doing a cultural encounter per se but should be related to your
choice of encounter. I can suggest readings for you. Be specific in your integration of the readings, including stating
which reading you are referring to. This is a central part of your grade. You need to show me how the readings
helped you better understand your experiences. If applicable, talk about gaps in the psychological literature that
would increase our understanding of the culture you encountered. These need to be readings (similar to your book
or journal articles), not films, and should not be from the popular press (no newspaper articles blogs,
nonacademic websites, novels, etc.).
7. Your paper should include evidence that you actually experienced the encounter. (I’m sure you never would
think to do this, but some students have just made their paper up.) This verification could be, for example,
including the bulletin from the church you attended, having the person you talk to verify in writing that you did
so, taking photos of you violating a norm, or having others verify that they saw you in a location. If you need
ideas about how to do this, let me know.
8. If your cultural encounter includes an interaction with a minority group member (or a person with a
disability), you must have the person you interview sign an informed consent. An example is on the next page.
Informed Consent
This interview is a class project for the Psychology of Diversity (PSYSC 424). I am asking you to volunteer your time to talk to me
about (your topic here).
There is no risk in participating in this discussion. The benefits include helping a student enhance his/her understanding of other social
groups and their experiences. Should you begin this discussion but decide not to continue, simply tell me and I will end the
interaction. That is, you are free to withdraw at any time without prejudice from me or the course instructor. You also may decline to
answer any questions you wish. Any tape that is made of this session is done at your consent and will be destroyed when my paper is
completed.
I, ______________________, agree to participate in this interview. I have had its purpose explained to me and any questions I had
were answered to my satisfaction.
____________________________________
Signed
If you have questions about this project, you can contact the course instructor, Dr. Mary Kite, mkite@bsu.edu, 765-285-8197.