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Culture and the distinctiveness motive: constructing identity in individualistic and collectivistic contexts

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 12:42 authored by Maja Becker, Vivian VignolesVivian Vignoles, Ellinor Owe, Rupert Brown, Peter B. Smith, Matthew EasterbrookMatthew Easterbrook, Ginette Herman, Isabelle de Sauvage, David Bourguignon, Ana Torres, Leoncio Camino, Flávia Cristina Silveira Lemos, M. Cristina Ferreira, Silvia H. Koller, Roberto González, Diego Carrasco, Maria Paz Cadena, Siugmin Lay, Qian Wang, Michael Harris Bond, Elvia Vargas Trujillo, Paola Balanta, Aune Valk, Kassahun Habtamu Mekonnen, George Nizharadze, Marta Fülöp, Camillo Regalia, Claudia Manzi, Maria Brambilla, Charles Harb, Said Aldhafri, Mariana Martin, Ma. Elizabeth J. Macapagal, Aneta Chybicka, Alin Gavreliuc, Johanna Buitendach, Inge Schweiger Gallo, Emre Özgen, Ülkü E. Güner, Nil Yamakoglu
The motive to attain a distinctive identity is sometimes thought to be stronger in, or even specific to, those socialized into individualistic cultures. Using data from 4,751 participants in 21 cultural groups (18 nations and 3 regions), we tested this prediction against our alternative view that culture would moderate the ways in which people achieve feelings of distinctiveness, rather than influence the strength of their motivation to do so. We measured the distinctiveness motive using an indirect technique to avoid cultural response biases. Analyses showed that the distinctiveness motive was not weaker—and, if anything, was stronger—in more collectivistic nations. However, individualism–collectivism was found to moderate the ways in which feelings of distinctiveness were constructed: Distinctiveness was associated more closely with difference and separateness in more individualistic cultures and was associated more closely with social position in more collectivistic cultures. Multilevel analysis confirmed that it is the prevailing beliefs and values in an individual's context, rather than the individual's own beliefs and values, that account for these differences.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

ISSN

0022-3514

Publisher

American Psychological Association

Issue

4

Volume

102

Page range

833-855

Department affiliated with

  • Psychology Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2012-10-18

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