Introduction
This paper will highlight various factors regarding a genogram. A genogram is usually a pictorial representation of an individual’s relationship within a family set up. The pictorial representation will go beyond the traditional family presentation or family tree. The genogram will use psychological factors and hereditary patterns which punctuate a family relationship. It therefore uses some of the repetitive patterns and behaviors in the family hierarchy and to identify hereditary outcomes (Levine, 2004). Genograms are not only used in the education sector but also in other disciplines such as medicine, social work, psychology, genetic and genealogy. Genograms are also used by some practitioners for personal records in family and personal therapy. The genogram discussed below is based on my family hierarchy.
Discussion
Family Set up
Sir Nicolas Bricks who is my grandfather hails from my father’s lineage and had several children i.e. Mr. Bradley Samuels, Mr. Philip Simons, Peterson Mulls, Angela Jane, Mary Suzy and my father who is Mr. Dickson Allan. Our grandfather married a lady by the name Mary Gonzales from Spain and they had a romantic relationship but she later died in the late 80’s because of depression. My grandfather’s son, Mr. Bradley Samuel who is an addict in smoking married madam Mary Jane, after which they later divorced. Mary Jane had a miscarriage in her earlier years of marriage and since then they did not sire other children thus leading to their divorce. The other son, Philip Simons who is the second born in the family is married to Luisa Mendes, but they are forced to live together due to a court injunction in that their marriage is frosty.
Since their marriage is not based on romance and love they therefore manipulate each other’s feelings so as to take advantage of their finances. Angela and Suzy are happily married but Suzy suffers from diabetes and she is well. Dickson Allan got married in the year 1960 to Anne Jacobs and their marriage is one of the best, since it is based on mutual trust, love and harmony. My father has only four children, three boys and a sister but two of the children are now deceased i.e. Philip Simons Junior and Jack Edwin who were very close to each other. We used to share most of the things and exchange ideas since we had almost similar characteristics. I am married to a young man by the name David Collins and we have three children but one of them suffers from diabetes and the youngest is a chain smoker. The third child is a lady who is happily married.
My grandfather who is from my mother’s lineage has three children, my mother (Jane Clare), Stephen Bauer and Michael Joseph who is the youngest. Jane Clare is the eldest of all and she is happily married while Michael suffers from heart disease. Mr. Bauer is divorced and seeking for another marriage. My elder cousin Samuel Bricks also suffers from heart disease which he inherited from his uncle.
Cultural Psychology
This is one of the branches of psychology which depicts the idea that culture cannot be divided from the mind. Cultural psychology means studying the traditions of an individual or a place by use of regulated social practices in order to exploit the ethnic divergence of an individual’s mind. Culture is used by many psychologists to indentify different psychological processes through testing the universality of the cultural practices locally. Cultural differences have been investigated worldwide but the recent themes focus more on the cultural differences of North America and East Asia (Shore, 2006).
These themes are helpful in understanding of my family hierarchy, since my grandmother (Sarah Imam) hails from Asia but they migrated to America when she was of tender age. This study is of significance because it helps in understanding my ancestral roots and culture. According to many researchers, the problem has always been evaluated to distinguish the differences in the diversity of cultural psychology. These results have been repeated and do not replicate the findings which are found in the western laboratories in a more retrogressive setting which is not found in the western culture. My family lineage has a very different cultural background since many of my uncles are married to people from different ethnic groups. Furthermore, my grandfather (Sir Nicolas Bricks) has a Spanish wife. For the basic theories to be refined, divergent culture should be accommodated in form of different psychological theories.
Cultural Identity and physical Resemblance
Cultural identity refers to inclination of an individual or a group of people to a certain culture. A person can be identified through the use of the new mode of cultural identification which has emerged in the recent years (Nisbett, 2003). These new modes of identification subdivide the understating of an individual or a group as a whole subject with the collection of different cultural identifiers. The genogram which was discussed earlier has helped me to identify myself within a certain culture which is also followed by my grandfather.
According to the genogram, some of my siblings have been named after my uncles and I have seen significance in the color of my eyes which resemble those of my grandmother. Such resemblances are very vital in cultural identity and they help one to identify with his/her people. Some individuals in our family lineage have inherited diseases for example my brother is diabetic which was inherited from my aunt (Suzy).My sister has inherited the left handedness from my eldest uncle who is a brother to my mother.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is important to accept people regardless of their culture since culture difference can occur in various ways or places such as in the family, country, region and continents. Cultural differences in our family can be easily identified through certain behaviors of the family members, the color of hair, proficiency in English language and blood types. The genogram has helped me to identify the different relationships between the family members and it has also helped me to understand the behaviors of our family members. This paper therefore describes how genogram has tried to link the social relationship of individuals within the family. Moreover the paper can be used by medical doctors to evaluate patients within the family who have inherited diseases from their seniors (Kitsantas, 2004). The genogram can also help in solving many family issues which occur, such as divorce and hostile men. Although the study is aimed to promote cohesiveness between individuals some people think differently, and may use the study to hurt others.
References
Kitsantas, A. (2004). Studying abroad: the role of college students’ goals on the development of cross-cultural skills and global understanding. College Student Journal, New York. 38 (3).
Nisbett, R.E. (2003). The Geography of Thought. New York: Free Press.
Shore, B. (2006). Culture in mind: Cognition, culture and the problem of meaning. New York: Oxford University Press.
Levine, R.A. (2004). Culture theory: Essays on mind, self, and emotion. New York: Cambridge University Press.