The Relationships Between Western Educational Institutions and the Psychological Organization of an Alaska Native Cultural Group

Abstract

The major conclusion of this research are that difficulties in Alaska Native educational achievement are rooted in two heuristically distinct but related problems: First: A substantial number of Eskimo children, especially those more traditionally socialized, have difficulty expressing emotional and affectual impulses. They tend to withdraw under stress, such as that of boarding schools, and in fact may have difficulty integrating their emotional and cognitive needs. In many cases, intrusions of early developmental problems and poor ego integration may make sublimation of drives in the service of learning very difficult. Second: This problem is compounded by the fact that high school . programs away from home exacerbate previously existing conditions and precipitate severe social and emotional problems for such students. Some exceptions to this rule exist, as we shall note, but overall, and for most students, schooling in the community of origin and attention to the special emotional needs of such students by providing warm and supportive, positive goal and value oriented educational environments are the generally most desirable educational alternatives.