Work

Toward a new approach to the study of personality in culture.

Year: 2011

Type: article

Abstract: We review recent developments in the study of culture and personality measurement. Three approaches are described: an etic approach that focuses on establishing measurement equivalence in imported measures of personality, an emic (indigenous) approach that studies personality in specific cultures, and a combined emic-etic approach to personality. We propose the latter approach as a way of combining the methodological rigor of the etic approach and the cultural sensitivity of the emic approach. The combined approach is illustrated by two examples: the first with origins in Chinese culture and the second in South Africa. The article ends with a discussion of the theoretical and practical implications of the combined emic-etic approach for the study of culture and personality and for psychology as a science.

Source: American Psychologist

DOI: 10.1037/a0022389

Authors: Fanny M. Cheung, Fons J. R. van de Vijver, Frederick T. L. Leong

Institutions: Chinese University of Hong Kong, Tilburg University, Michigan State University

Language: English

Topic: Cultural Differences and Values

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Government