Purpose

The purpose of this assignment is to reflect on the new information presented in this book.  It is meant to increase your awareness and critical thinking about the experience and treatment of common psychological disorders in the US and around the world.

Reading to Critically Evaluate 

Please read Chapter 1 in Crazy Like Us: The Globalization of the American Psyche by Ethan Watters.

You are encouraged to ask questions of the reading as you read, make notes of areas of confusion, surprise or disagreement and include that in your write-up.

Directions

1. Write two paragraphs (minimum of 200 words) in which you identify Watter’s main thesis of the chapter and discuss your overall thoughts and reactions to the main thesis.
2. Write a one-paragraph  (minimum of 100 words) response to ONE of the following questions listed below.
3. Include two quotes from the chapter that stood out to you.  Include the page number or time stamps where your quotes can be found.

Questions (choose only one)

1.  In your cultural upbringing and experience, have you ever been given any messages that to gain weight means to have good fortune, or that “fat people have more luck?”  Did the culture in which you grew up link fatness to something bad or to something good like health, wealth or attractiveness (think beyond general American influence to your own home/family culture)? 

2.  What do you make of early to mid-nineteenth century anorexia in the West being similar to what Dr. Lee saw in Hong Kong (i.e., a lost love creating lumps in throats or difficulty with digestion)?

Grading

Full points for the assignment will be earned when all 3 portions of the assignment are met.  Two-paragraph (minimum of 200 words) general reaction (6pts), one-paragraph (minimum of 100 words) response to question (2pts), two quotes with page numbers/time stamps (2pts). Check out the rubric!