Chapter 12. What Is Your Self-Concept?
Intro
Play this brief video introduction from one of your authors, Nathan DeWall.
Test Yourself
How do you organize your self-concept?
Please complete each statement to describe yourself. Respond as if you’re talking to yourself. You don’t need to pay attention to logic. Simply respond with what comes to mind in how you would describe yourself.
Question 12.1
1. I am |
aWOzkuGcw28= |
2. I am |
aWOzkuGcw28= |
3. I am |
aWOzkuGcw28= |
4. I am |
aWOzkuGcw28= |
5. I am |
aWOzkuGcw28= |
Harry Triandis, Christopher McCusker, and Harry Hui developed this self-concept quiz.
Your Score
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There is no actual "score" for this activity, as everyone's answers will be unique. But your answers probably still say a lot about your self-concept--all the thoughts and feelings that come to mind when we answer the question, “Who am I?”
Think about how you responded to this question. Did your responses include information that would separate you from others (“I am intelligent,” “I’m an athlete,” “I’m a blond”)? If so, you may be more of an individualist—influenced by Western cultural ideals. Individualists tend to have many temporary relationships, and their actions often reflect their personality and attitudes.
Or did you offer information that merged your identity with others (“I am a daughter,” “I’m a good brother,” “I’m a member of my college or university”)? If so, you may be more of a collectivist, with greater influences from Eastern cultural ideals. Collectivists, in contrast to individualists, tend to blend their self-concept with others. They often have a few close relationships and their actions tend to reflect their social norms and roles.
Build This Strength
Would you like to broaden your sense of self? Even if we have a positive self-concept, we can benefit from embracing other cultural perspectives. We have learned about the pros and cons of individualism and collectivism. Those leaning toward individualism may enjoy more personal freedom and privacy, yet their focus on the self can strain relationships and prompt more loneliness and stress-related disease. Those who are more comfortable with collectivist ideals may feel more connected to others, but they may be less adept at resolving conflicts and addressing personal needs.
Broadening your self-concept may also help you become a better global citizen. Considering how members of other cultures organize their self-concept can help you develop a greater understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity.
Here are three suggestions to help you expand and enrich your own self-concept:
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1. Adjust your group identity. If you feel driven to express your uniqueness, you might try considering ways to fit in with your groups. Act in ways that people in your groups—your family, your roommates—will appreciate, even if they don’t recognize your personal effort. Sometimes it’s better to blend in than to be noticed. If you tend to feel most comfortable fitting in with your groups, you might try to think of a few ways you can distinguish yourself. Don’t be afraid to attract personal attention for hard work and creative effort.
2. Challenge your relationship mind-set. Our self-concept can affect how we approach relationships. If you value independence, you may benefit from attending to a few of your relationships and considering ways to promote more harmony within them. If you value your group memberships, it may be helpful to try to become more comfortable with respectful confrontation. Harmony and honesty both help relationships flourish.
3. Broaden your sense of what’s important. Our cultural background gives us a deeply ingrained sense of what matters most. You might consider alternatives. If you tend to focus on personal fulfillment and achievement, try to think of group goals and social responsibilities as well. For example, what might be best for your family and friends? If you naturally think about your duty to others, you might try adding your individual goals, rights, and feelings into the mix.
Triandis, H. C., McCusker, C., & Hui, C. H. (1990). Multimethod probes of individualism and collectivism. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 59, 1006-1020.
QUIZ
Are you ready for the Quiz? Demonstrate and reinforce your understanding by answering the following questions.
Question
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1. c. Individualists
2. a. Collectivists
3. False
4. d. all of the above.
5. c. acting in ways that promote harmony in our relationships.