Theme 1 (Cross-cultural psychology)
Theme 1 – vignette 1 & 2
Learning goals:
1. What is the ‘20 statement test’ and for what purpose has it been developed?
2. What are the differences and similarities in self-concept/identity between cultures?
3. Is it a good way to know more about cultures by measuring assumptions, standard
procedures and habits about different topics?
o Is this what culture is about? Or is there more to culture?
4. Are there other ways to learn and know about other cultural characteristics?
Extra learning goals:
1. What is the goal of simulation games such as the one you played during your first tutorial
group meeting? Discuss the difference(s) between the game which you played, and the other
game used in the Koskinen et al. study.
2. Which emotions did the games in the Koskinen et al’s study evoke? Do you recognize these
emotions from your own experience with the game?
3. What did the participants in the study of Koskinen et al. learn from the games? How is this
the same and/or different from what you learnt from playing the game?
Literature
Heine, S.J. (2010). Cultural Psychology (specified tekst). In Cultural Psychology (shortened
text by S.J. Heine). (pp1-30).
Ma, V., & Schoeneman, T.J. (1997). Individualism versus collectivism; A comparison of
Kenyan and American self-concepts. Basis and applied social psychology, 19(2), 261-273.
Triandis, H.C. (2002). Subjective Culture. Online readings in Psychology and Culture, 2(2), 1-
12.
Extra: Koskinen, et al., 2008
What are the differences and similarities in self-concept/identity between
cultures?
Heine, 2010
The self-concept
Independent vs interdependent self-concepts -> people are not born with self-concept, but
you can learn it with interaction and seizing meaning from cultural environment. So that
means everyone develops a self-concept (not there when you’re born).
Self-concept -> you can measure it with the 20 statements test.
Check the answers on different categories. And they compare these categories with different
culture.
Results:
- People form western cultures tend to describe themselves with inner psychological
characteristics (attitude, personality, abilities).
- Not western cultures -> describe themselves in a relational role and as a member.
This shows that there are at least 2 different ways in which people can picture of their
selves.
1
, 1. Identity from their inner attributes => independent self-concept. (individual)
a. Individual is stable across situations and a lifespan.
b. Unique
c. Viewed significant for regulating behavior.
d. Feel obligated to publicly advertise themselves in ways consistent with these
attributes/ qualities.
2. Identity is mostly built on the relations with significant others. => interdependent
self-concept. (collective)
a. Based on others thoughts, feeling and actions.
b. How does your behavior affect others?
c. Consider roles within social context.
d. Embedded in a larger group.
This difference is a very important part of a lot of cultural differences (uniqueness, emotional
experience, perspective on relationships).
Characteristics of the self-concepts:
Self-consistency vs flexibility -> when you have an independent self-concept you assume it is
something that is stable. In contrast with the interdependent, which can change in different
situations.
Western cultures show a more stable self-concept -> the situation doesn’t matter.
Consistency is important for them. If you’re consistent it is linked to well-being, your stable
self, would have good consequences.
Non-western cultures do have a few stable self-concept, but it changes depending on the
situation.
People with the interdependent view have weaker tendencies of self-consistency -> but they
also have different consistency needs.
The expectations in collectivistic countries are based on the person who you’re with.
Expectations are important!
People from more interdependent cultures want more consistency when they
consider themselves in relation to others. Consistency is less important for
interdependent cultures.
Insider vs outsider phenomenological experiences. -> different perspective, it’s possible to
prioritize their own perspective (independent -> insider) or the perspective of others
(interdependent -> outsider).
Interdependent cultures need to know how they’re evaluated by others. In the other culture
its more important to know yourself.
Presence of a mirror: people from Asian cultures already see themselves from the
perspective of a mirror. And people from Western cultures are more shocked by a mirror.
For example: recall memories from a third persons perspective instead of first person (Asia).
Multicultural selves -> how do people form multiple cultures define themselves?
- Multiple self-concept which are accessible, typical thoughts and responses reflect a
blending of these.
2
Theme 1 – vignette 1 & 2
Learning goals:
1. What is the ‘20 statement test’ and for what purpose has it been developed?
2. What are the differences and similarities in self-concept/identity between cultures?
3. Is it a good way to know more about cultures by measuring assumptions, standard
procedures and habits about different topics?
o Is this what culture is about? Or is there more to culture?
4. Are there other ways to learn and know about other cultural characteristics?
Extra learning goals:
1. What is the goal of simulation games such as the one you played during your first tutorial
group meeting? Discuss the difference(s) between the game which you played, and the other
game used in the Koskinen et al. study.
2. Which emotions did the games in the Koskinen et al’s study evoke? Do you recognize these
emotions from your own experience with the game?
3. What did the participants in the study of Koskinen et al. learn from the games? How is this
the same and/or different from what you learnt from playing the game?
Literature
Heine, S.J. (2010). Cultural Psychology (specified tekst). In Cultural Psychology (shortened
text by S.J. Heine). (pp1-30).
Ma, V., & Schoeneman, T.J. (1997). Individualism versus collectivism; A comparison of
Kenyan and American self-concepts. Basis and applied social psychology, 19(2), 261-273.
Triandis, H.C. (2002). Subjective Culture. Online readings in Psychology and Culture, 2(2), 1-
12.
Extra: Koskinen, et al., 2008
What are the differences and similarities in self-concept/identity between
cultures?
Heine, 2010
The self-concept
Independent vs interdependent self-concepts -> people are not born with self-concept, but
you can learn it with interaction and seizing meaning from cultural environment. So that
means everyone develops a self-concept (not there when you’re born).
Self-concept -> you can measure it with the 20 statements test.
Check the answers on different categories. And they compare these categories with different
culture.
Results:
- People form western cultures tend to describe themselves with inner psychological
characteristics (attitude, personality, abilities).
- Not western cultures -> describe themselves in a relational role and as a member.
This shows that there are at least 2 different ways in which people can picture of their
selves.
1
, 1. Identity from their inner attributes => independent self-concept. (individual)
a. Individual is stable across situations and a lifespan.
b. Unique
c. Viewed significant for regulating behavior.
d. Feel obligated to publicly advertise themselves in ways consistent with these
attributes/ qualities.
2. Identity is mostly built on the relations with significant others. => interdependent
self-concept. (collective)
a. Based on others thoughts, feeling and actions.
b. How does your behavior affect others?
c. Consider roles within social context.
d. Embedded in a larger group.
This difference is a very important part of a lot of cultural differences (uniqueness, emotional
experience, perspective on relationships).
Characteristics of the self-concepts:
Self-consistency vs flexibility -> when you have an independent self-concept you assume it is
something that is stable. In contrast with the interdependent, which can change in different
situations.
Western cultures show a more stable self-concept -> the situation doesn’t matter.
Consistency is important for them. If you’re consistent it is linked to well-being, your stable
self, would have good consequences.
Non-western cultures do have a few stable self-concept, but it changes depending on the
situation.
People with the interdependent view have weaker tendencies of self-consistency -> but they
also have different consistency needs.
The expectations in collectivistic countries are based on the person who you’re with.
Expectations are important!
People from more interdependent cultures want more consistency when they
consider themselves in relation to others. Consistency is less important for
interdependent cultures.
Insider vs outsider phenomenological experiences. -> different perspective, it’s possible to
prioritize their own perspective (independent -> insider) or the perspective of others
(interdependent -> outsider).
Interdependent cultures need to know how they’re evaluated by others. In the other culture
its more important to know yourself.
Presence of a mirror: people from Asian cultures already see themselves from the
perspective of a mirror. And people from Western cultures are more shocked by a mirror.
For example: recall memories from a third persons perspective instead of first person (Asia).
Multicultural selves -> how do people form multiple cultures define themselves?
- Multiple self-concept which are accessible, typical thoughts and responses reflect a
blending of these.
2
