Similarities and differences in implicit personality concepts across ethnocultural groups in South Africa
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Date
Authors
Valchev, Velichko H.
Nel, Jan Alewyn
Van de Vijver, Fons J.R.
Meiring, Deon
De Bruin, Gideon P.
Rothmann, Sebastiaan
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
SAGE
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.
Description
Keywords
Implicit personality concepts, Emic–etic approach, Indigenous personality model
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
Valchev, VH, Nel, JA, Van der Vijver, FJR, Meiring, D, De Bruin, GP & Rothmann, S 2013, 'Similarities and differences in implicit personality concepts across Ethnocultural groups in South Africa', Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, vol. 44, no. 3, pp. 365-388.