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.
