Similarities and differences in implicit personality concepts across ethnocultural groups in South Africa

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Authors

Valchev, Velichko H.
Nel, Jan Alewyn
Van de Vijver, Fons J.R.
Meiring, Deon
De Bruin, Gideon P.
Rothmann, Sebastiaan

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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.

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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.