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Personality: the universal and the culturally specific.
Steven J Heine1, Emma E Buchtel
1Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z4 Canada. heine@psych.ubc.ca
Annual Review of Psychology
|November 28, 2008
Summary
Understanding individual differences shows universal and cultural variations. While personality trait structures are consistent, their endorsement and use in self-perception vary across cultures, especially between individualistic and collectivistic societies.
Area of Science:
- Cross-cultural psychology
- Personality psychology
Background:
- Individual differences are universally interesting, but motivations for self-perception vary culturally.
- Key variables like self-views, ability theories, and relational mobility show cultural specificity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore universal and culturally specific aspects of understanding individual differences.
- To examine cultural variations in self-enhancement motivations and personality trait endorsement.
Main Methods:
- Cross-cultural comparison of psychological variables.
- Analysis of personality trait structures, including the Five-Factor Model.
- Investigation of self-perception and trait utilization across cultural contexts.
Main Results:
- The Five-Factor Model of personality structure is largely consistent across cultures.
- Cultural differences are significant in the endorsement of specific personality traits.
- Collectivistic cultures rely less on traits for self and social understanding compared to individualistic cultures.
Conclusions:
- While personality trait structures are universal, their expression and application in self-concept are culturally modulated.
- Cultural context significantly influences how individuals perceive and utilize personality traits.
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