Dubstep and Cultural Adaptation Theory

Dubstep: When the Bass Drops

             I am choosing to focus on cultural adaption in relation to my cultural topic on ravers. The definition of cultural adaptation is the long term process of adjusting to and finally feeling comfortable in a new  environment. Three approaches of communication are linked to this theory and help further understand its components. The three approaches include social science, interpretive, and critical. 

The social science approach deals with the role of individual migrant characteristics and background; theories of culture shock  and reentry shock; outcomes of adaptations. The interpretive approach is an in-depth analysis of adaptation and experience, and the critical approach to cultural adaption is the importance of history, politics, and societal structures in migrant adaptation and identity (Martin & Nakayama 330). This theory is most appropriate based on my research in the dubstep environment and based on my first interview.

The first article I found that focuses on this theory is "Exploring Educational and Cultural Adaptation through Social Networking Sites" by Sherry D. Ryan, Michael J. Magro, and Jason H. Sharp. They did a study to determine the effectiveness of Facebook on students acquiring their Ph.D. They concluded that Facebook can help facilitate information and knowledge of a Ph.D. program and also help with isolation in students. 

The second article dealing with cultural adaptation is  called, "Cultural Influence in Intercultural Adaptation: A Case Study of My Son's 'Cultural Clash' in the United States." This study focuses on the cultural influence on the Chinese culture.

The third recent article, entitled, "Conflict Recognition, Prevention and Resolution in Mental Health Interpreting: Exploring Kim's Cross-Cultural Adaptation Model." deals with “Kim’s theory of communication and cross-cultural adaptation and resolving areas of conflict in mental health.

I started off by interviewing my roommate to get her personal experience with the scene. Statements in the interview that stood out in choosing my topic of cultural adaptation include, "There's a lot of peer pressure in the pit, lots of people asking if you want to do drugs". I noticed a pattern of events in reference to the different shows she has attended. The people all seem to be friendly and almost as if they insist on you join them in their activities. I gathered from our interview the rave "pit" being almost like a culture. And once you're in, you're in. Although surprisingly enough, the people Sally met at the show, she did not speak to again. I asked her what the best part of being at a rave was, and her response, "When the bass drops".

She talks in-depth about the appearance of ravers and what she likes to wear to shows. Everyone kind of has a similar look: comfortable clothing, bright colors, and sunglasses (to hide their dilated pupils). She says that the experience of a rave on drugs makes for more intensity and heightens her senses. She also says, "People in the pit look out for you like when people start pushing and stuff they're like, 'I got you'". These are just examples of some key phrases that made me think of the rave-scene and how people can adapt over time whether its by the number of raves/shows one attends, the networking/people they meet, and just the overall experience shared with other ravers.

 Over time, people begin to feel like a part of the culture. This ties in with cultural adaptation in whether or not the host is warm and welcoming or not. People are encouraging each other to do drugs and take part in the experience. I would see this as friendly, although it may be a little intimidating or feel like pressure.

I can also speak to the cultural adaptation theory based on my personal experience and time spent in the field. I attended "Life in Color" back in November. Upon entering the auditorium, I saw a huge crowd of people. There was a cool breeze flowing through the room. I knew I was in for.Well, what WAS I in for? We slowly made our way through the pit... struggling to squeeze between people. Everyone was dancing and grinding on one another and the amount of sweat glistening on peoples faces was unreal. I actually ended up crowd-surfing just to make it safely to the side of the sea of bodies!

Here is a look at some highlights from the famous "Life in Color" show

References

Ryan, S. D., Magro, M. J., & Sharp, J. H. (2011). Exploring Educational and Cultural Adaptation 

through Social Networking Sites. Journal of Information Technology Education: Innovations in Practice, 10. Retrieved October 19, 2012, from http://www.jite.org/documents/Vol10/JITEv10IIPp001-016Ryan883.pdf  

Zhang, X. (2011). Cultural Influence in Intercultural Adaptation: A Case Study of My Son's "Cultural Clash" in the United States. Studies In Literature & Language, 3(3), 29-34. doi:10.3968/j.sll.1923156320110303.l79

Zimányi, K. (2012). Conflict recognition, prevention and resolution in mental health interpreting: Exploring Kim’s cross-cultural adaptation model. Journal Of Language & Politics, 11(2), 207-228.