Cross-Cultural Differences in the Self

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Abstract
The sharp contrasts often drawn between "Western" and "non-Western" selves have very likely been exaggerated because researchers often contrast simplified and idealized cultural conceptions of the self rather than comparing descriptive accounts of subjective experience. Using data collected through nondirective interviewing techniques, I illustrate this point by showing that one can find evidence, in some contexts, of an independent, autonomous self among the "sociocentric" Toraja of Indonesia and of an interdependent, relational self among "egocentric" Americans in the United States. I conclude with some recommendations for future research.

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