Skip to Main Content
5
Views
5
CrossRef citations
Altmetric

Section III: Culture and Education

Cultural Frame of Reference and Intergroup Encounters: A TA Approach

Pages 206-210
Published online: 28 Dec 2017
 
Translator disclaimer

Current transactional analysis (TA) explanations for cultural or intercultural behavior propose that displays of irrational behavior–that is, prejudices, stereotypes, and cultural scripts–can be attributed to structural contamination, personality dysfunction, or character disposition. This formula has been called a symptom theory approach (Ashmore & Del Boca, 1981) to explaining social cognitions. In this article, a cultural frame of reference (CFR) is proposed which is a subsystem of the individual frame of reference. The CFR is the primary source of one's personal social identity and provides each person with many types of social cognitions with which to integrate ego state responses to intergroup exchanges and encounters. In addition, social psychological mediators of categorical thinking and social identity are discussed as having a significant role during intergroup encounters.

Additional information

Author information

Norman L. James

Norman L. James, Ph.D., is a Training and Supervising Transactional Analyst (clinical) and Past-President of the ITAA. He is a professor of professional psychology at the University of St. Thomas and is currently serving as Dean of the Graduate School of Education, Professional Psychology, and Social Work at the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota.