Valchev, Velichko H.Nel, Jan AlewynVan de Vijver, Fons J.R.Meiring, DeonDe Bruin, Gideon P.Rothmann, Sebastiaan2014-02-242014-04-302013Valchev, 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. 365-388.0022-0221 (print)1552-5422 (online)10.1177/0022022112443856http://hdl.handle.net/2263/36673Using 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.en© The Author(s) 2012.Implicit personality conceptsEmic–etic approachIndigenous personality modelArticle