Self & Identity: Cross-cultural Perspective Flashcards
Self Concept
Cognitive representations of who one is, that is the ideas or images that one has about oneself, especially in relation to others, and how and why one behaves
Self & identity
Frame how we perceive others &
how we interact with the world around us
Differentiate ourselves from others and feel unique.
Optimal uniqueness
The concept of self is part of ones ………………..because how one sees oneself in relation to the rest of the world is integral part of one’s culture
cultural worldview
Cultural worldview:
“belief systems” how things should be (not necessarily directly linked with cultural practices)
Expressed, preserved, & transmitted through collective memory, history, and language
Limited perspective components
Western perspective on self
The individual, autonomous self as best (deindividuation)
Even in Social Psychology
Independent vs Interdependent
Cross Cultural Differences theory
Theory of Interdependent and Independent Self-Construal (Markus & Kitayana, 1991)
Culture is a psychological construct, what means….
it is a shared system of rules
So, different cultures will employ different systems of rules
E.g: economy, religion, habitat, etc.
Therefore: culture shapes the self
Western/Independent/Individualistic
Encourages individuals to be unique, expressive, realise inner self, promote personal goals.
Credit success to self-confidence, instincts, etc.
Belief in separateness of individuals
Focus on personal, internal attributes: ability, intelligence, personality, goals, preferences
Public expression and private verification of self
Eastern/Interdependent/Collectivistic
Neither assume not value overt separateness
Individual as inherently connected or interdependent with others and inseparable from social context
Socialised to adjust to a relationship/group, be sympathetic, play assigned roles, engage in appropriate actions
Strive to meet duties, obligations, and social responsibilities.
Functional Outcome:
Self-worth & Self-esteem (gained through different sources in the two different self-construals)
Method: Asked participants to write down as many characteristics of their self as possible. Findings: Individualistic cultures (e.g. US) – ‘I am sociable’ Collectivistic cultures (e.g. Japan) – ‘I am sociable with close friends’ (Shweder & Bourne, 1984)
Neuroimaging Evidence
fMRI to measured brain activity from Western and Chinese Ps (Zhua, Zhangb, Fanc and Hana, 2007)
Ps judged personal trait adjectives regarding self, mother or a public.
Medial prefpersonrontal cortex (MPFC) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) showed stronger activation in self- than other-judgment conditions for Chinese and Western Ps.
Mother-judgments activated MPFC in Chinese but not Western Ps
Authors suggest Chinese people use MPFC to represent both self and mother where Westerners use MPFC to represent the self only
Culture shapes functional anatomy of self-representation
Theory of Interdependent and Independent Self-Construal
Interdependent & independent self-construals NOT mutually exclusive. Can coexist simultaneously within an individual
Objectives of Self Development (natural selection) (Guisingier & Blatt, 1994)
i. Autonomy, Independence, and Identity (Western view)
ii. Interpersonal relationship through cooperation, altruism, + reciprocation (evolutionary)
The way individuals understand themselves and are recognised by othersThree different types of identities:
- Personal identity: Characterised by qualities and attributes that distinguish oneself from others.2. Collective identity: Refers to recognition that we belong to social categories such as occupation, religion, or culture. 3. Relational Identity: Refers to qualities of ourselves in relation to others.
Collective Identity
Functions to fulfil our need to belong in social group & helps us form meaningful and lasting relationships (More on that next week)
E.g: Gender, occupation, cultural, ethnic, racial, national
Leads to:Reproduce/survive/live longer/healthier/happier (e.g. Baumeister, Ciarocco, Twenge, 2005)
