Universalities and Idiosyncrasies in Self-Concept: East-West and North-South

Abstract

Self-concept has been crucial to the description of human beings since ancient times. Different authors have offered definitions and approaches to the study of the self. Many instruments have been developed to measure this multi-faceted construct. However, there is great difficulty in using definitions and instruments developed in one ecosystem to describe the peoples from different cultures. In order to include the universals and idiosyncrasies of the self, a model that takes culture into account is needed.  The purpose of this article is to compare the cognitive, emotional, and motivational aspects of the self-concept in different countries representing the east-west and north-south axis, such as Mexico, Peru, Japan, China, United States and Chile, from a psycho-socio-cultural point of view. The paradigm for this purpose included descriptions and comparisons based on Hofstede´s cultural syndromes, as well as an overview of some instruments that have been used to measure the construct. The discussion focuses on the importance of considering culture to understand the meanings of this construct, placing emphasis on the methodological tools derived from the theoretical orientation and the attentions that must be had when making cross-cultural comparisons, be it Between countries and even within the same country. This means that we must not forget the aspects shared by cultures in the relationship with oneself (etic), but we must forget about the particular aspects (emic) or idiosyncratic aspects, which are what are finally given by the particularities to self-concept.