How Did Culture Influence Culture In Determining People's Culture Of Depression?

In “The Mega Marketing of Depression in Japan”, Ethan Watters draws attention to the ways in which concepts that are usually taken as concrete and standardized, such as depression or mental illness, are actually extremely varied and complex. In other words, people’s definition and the experience of such concepts are shaped by the cultures that they belong to. For example, if a Westerner experiences a depression, it will be different from ways that an Easterner will experience depression. However, despite the significant role that culture plays in determining people’s way of thinking, there is a certain limit to how influential culture can be; being aware of cultural differences and understanding why there are cultural differences can greatly

For example, although at present the Japanese people believe that depression is a noble feeling, that belief can always change with time. This was explained by Dr. Laurence Kirmayer in the article, where he stated that people 's understanding of depression is not only influenced by their ethno cultural background, but also by the media, family, and the environment of the health care system that "they find themselves in" and these conceptions are "in constant transaction and transformation across boundaries of race, culture, class, and nation." In other words, although people may be influenced by culture, this influence can always be replaced by another influence because in a globalized word, culture moves "across boundaries of race, culture, class, and nation." For example, one culture can replace a native culture and completely reshape how people think and behave. This means that although at present Japanese feel that depression derives from expressing great concern for the welfare of the people, through manipulation of the media and by influencing doctors and family talks, the Japanese may share Western view of