Similarities and differences in implicit personality concepts across ethno-cultural groups in South Africa
Valchev,V.H. Nel,J.A. van de Vijver,F.J.R. Meiring,D. de Bruin,G.P. Rothmann,S.R.
Valchev,V.H.
Nel,J.A.
van de Vijver,F.J.R.
Meiring,D.
de Bruin,G.P.
Rothmann,S.R.
Abstract
Using a combined emic–etic approach, the present study investigates similarities and differences in the indigenous personality concepts of ethnocultural groups in South Africa. Semistructured interviews asking for self- and other-descriptions were conducted with 1,027 Blacks, 58 Indians, and 105 Whites, speakers of the country’s 11 official languages. A model with 9 broad personality clusters subsuming the Big Five—Conscientiousness, Emotional Stability, Extraversion, Facilitating, Integrity, Intellect, Openness, Relationship Harmony, and Soft-Heartedness (Nel et al., 2012)—was examined. The 9 clusters were found in all groups, yet the groups differed in their use of the model’s components: Blacks referred more to social-relational descriptions, specific trait manifestations, and social norms, whereas Whites referred more to personal-growth descriptions and abstract concepts, and Indians had an intermediate pattern. The results suggest that a broad spectrum of personality concepts should be included in the development of common personality models and measurement tools for diverse cultural groups. Keywords: implicit personality concepts, emic–etic approach, indigenous personality model
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2013
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Research Projects
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Valchev, V H, Nel, J A, van de Vijver, F J R, Meiring, D, de Bruin, G P & Rothmann, S R 2013, 'Similarities and differences in implicit personality concepts across ethno-cultural groups in South Africa', Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, vol. 44, pp. 365-388. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022022112443856