Native American students are extremely underrepresented in postsecondary educational systems nationwide. There are many personality traits, psychological and social factors influencing this divide. This paper identifies various psycho-social influences in attempts to help Native students better prepare as well as strengthen key traits in order to successfully complete postsecondary education.
The academic difficulties and non-persistence of Native Americans in college have been well documented (Huffman, 2003.) This results in very negative implications in various aspects on life, including psychological well-being, socioeconomic status, educational and career development and achievement. Although research has indicated academic abilities, …show more content…
Recent research has focused on the impacts of historical trauma, loss, grief, colonization, genocide and forces assimilation on the attainment of postsecondary education (Stumblingbear, 2012.) Due to these differences, educational models of development need to be established in order to encompass these unique variations. Hindrance on postsecondary acquisition include academic difficulties, personal/social difficulties, satisfaction with college, difficulty in the transition to college, and impact of college experience on appreciation of Native heritage (Huffman, 2003.) The purpose of this research is to identify barriers to postsecondary success as well as address influential socio-psychological factors, and personality traits in attempts to overcome these …show more content…
As, a result of this, behavior is likely to be influenced by personality and situation (Traindis, 2002.) Due to this fact, we must initially address the cultural importance and its influences on personality traits. One cannot understand these cultural implications of personality trait expressions without first understanding one of the biggest differences in Euro-American society and Native American society. This difference is related to the collectivist societal structure of Native Americans. In collectivist cultures, people place importance on and give priority to in-group (family, tribe, nation, etc.) goals, behaviors and social norms by behaving in a communal way (Traindis, 2002.) These have very literal expressions within Native American cultures in relation to the way things are interpreted and expressed. For instance, Native American reservations are often times looked at as impoverished and desolate locations. Although in a majority of instances this idea is very true, it is less often looked at as a place: “a physical, human, legal, and spiritual reality that embodies the history, the dreams, and the aspirations of Indian people, their communities, and their tribes. A place that marks not only the enduring survival of Indian communities from a marauding western society, but also a place that holds the promise of fulfillment”. (Pommersheim,
The academic difficulties and non-persistence of Native Americans in college have been well documented (Huffman, 2003.) This results in very negative implications in various aspects on life, including psychological well-being, socioeconomic status, educational and career development and achievement. Although research has indicated academic abilities, …show more content…
Recent research has focused on the impacts of historical trauma, loss, grief, colonization, genocide and forces assimilation on the attainment of postsecondary education (Stumblingbear, 2012.) Due to these differences, educational models of development need to be established in order to encompass these unique variations. Hindrance on postsecondary acquisition include academic difficulties, personal/social difficulties, satisfaction with college, difficulty in the transition to college, and impact of college experience on appreciation of Native heritage (Huffman, 2003.) The purpose of this research is to identify barriers to postsecondary success as well as address influential socio-psychological factors, and personality traits in attempts to overcome these …show more content…
As, a result of this, behavior is likely to be influenced by personality and situation (Traindis, 2002.) Due to this fact, we must initially address the cultural importance and its influences on personality traits. One cannot understand these cultural implications of personality trait expressions without first understanding one of the biggest differences in Euro-American society and Native American society. This difference is related to the collectivist societal structure of Native Americans. In collectivist cultures, people place importance on and give priority to in-group (family, tribe, nation, etc.) goals, behaviors and social norms by behaving in a communal way (Traindis, 2002.) These have very literal expressions within Native American cultures in relation to the way things are interpreted and expressed. For instance, Native American reservations are often times looked at as impoverished and desolate locations. Although in a majority of instances this idea is very true, it is less often looked at as a place: “a physical, human, legal, and spiritual reality that embodies the history, the dreams, and the aspirations of Indian people, their communities, and their tribes. A place that marks not only the enduring survival of Indian communities from a marauding western society, but also a place that holds the promise of fulfillment”. (Pommersheim,