Cultural differences and environment creates different perceptions of

the self. The most common distinction between people and cultures is the

Eastern-Western distinction. Eastern are known as the Asian countries, and

Western represents the Europe and Northen America. It must be noted that

countries who are geographically closer to each other my share

commonalities, but factors that may create diffrences must be considered.

Individualistic versus Collective Self

Understanding individualism and collectivism could help in the understanding of the cross-cultural

values of a person. Not every culture is at one end or the other of the spectrum, but the majority tend to

favor one over the other in everyday life.

Individualistic Self

 Individualism is not the idea that individuals should live like isolated entity, nor the idea that they

should never get or give help from others, nor the idea that an individual never owes anything to other

people.

 Individualism is the idea that the fundamental unit of the human species that thinks, lives, and acts

toward goals is the individual. This means that we can form our own independent judgments, act on

our own thoughts, and disagree with others.

 Each adult individual can consider what is in his own best interests. Each can act on his own private

motivations and values and can judge other people as good people to form relationships with, or as bad

people to be avoided. Each can decide whether to cooperate with others to solve problems. Each can

choose to think for himself about the conclusions that the majority of others in a group come to,

accepting or rejecting their conclusions as indicated by his own thought.

 Example of the description would include an individual identifies primarily with self, with the needs of

the individual being satisfied before those of the group. Looking after and taking care of ourselves,

being self-sufficient, guarantees the well-being of the group. Independence and self-reliance are greatly

stressed and valued.

 In general, people tend to distance themselves psychologically and emotionally from each other. One

may choose to join groups, but group membership is not essential to one’s identity or success.
Individualist characteristics are often associated with men and people in urban settings.

 Western cultures are known to be individualistic.

GED 101 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

Collective Self

 Collectivism is the idea that the fundamental unit of the human species that thinks, lives, and acts

toward goals is not the individual, but some group. In different variants, this group may be the

family, the city, the economic class, the society, the nation, the race, or the whole human species.

The group exists as a super-organism separate from individuals: A group may make its own

decisions, acts apart from the actions of individuals, and has its own interests apart from those of

the individuals that compose it.

 Under collectivism, individuals are analogous to ants in the protection of their queen ant. The

individual ant doesn’t have minds of their own, and generally cannot disagree with the hive. Any

ant that acts in a way contrary to the interests of the group is a malfunctioning ant. If an ant does

not follow the certain pattern of how they protect their queen, it will be entirely unable to support

itself, find other ants that support other queen ant and will surely die in short order. If the

malfunctioning ant stays within the group, it will be a threat to the line appropriate to protecting

the queen ant.

 Examples of the collectivist thinking is when our identity is in large part, a function of our

membership and role in a group, e.g., the family or work team. The survival and success of the

group ensures the well-being of the individual, so that by considering the needs and feelings of

others, one protects oneself. Harmony and the interdependence of group members are stressed and

valued. Group members are relatively close psychologically and emotionally, but distant toward

non-group members. Collectivist characteristics are often associated with women and people in

rural settings.

 Asian countries are known to be collective in nature.

The Social Construction of the Self in Western Thought

 Self has been an area of interest by French and English philosophers, and evident in the ideas of

Greek philosophers like Socrates and Plato.

 Descartes in 17th century emphasized the self in his dictum “I think therefore I am” which claims

that cognitive basis of the person’s thoughts is proof for the existence of the self.

 Kant believed that the self is capable of actions that entitles it to have rights as an autonomous

agent.

 Here are some qualities imparted to the Western subjective self. It sketches some features on

subjectivity and ways of thinking of western persons. This provides an impressionistic profile

through the use of a few strokes characterizing some ways of being and thinking of many western

persons.

o Western self as analytic. Since analytic and inductive modes of thinking were

prominent for person in western cultures, to see objects as divisible combinations of

yet smaller objects. Real things are not only visualized but immaterial things like

thoughts, ideas and memories would be given emphasis.

o Western self as monotheistic. Monotheism can be known as the rigid consequence of

the doctrine of normal human being. It is like forcing the concentration of supernatural

capabilities.

GED 101 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

o Western self as individualistic. The emphasis on individualism has direct and indirect

effects on both the presentation of self (in public ways) and the experience of the self

(in private awareness).

o Western Self as materialistic and rationalistic. The western accentuation of rational,

scientific approach to reality has tended to define spiritual and immaterial phenomena

as potentially superstitious and dangerous. In any society, belief system is stratified

and composed of a hierarchy of interrelated, causal-explanatory models.

The Self as Embedded in Relationships and through Spiritual Development in Confucian Thought

 Confucius was born in the period of the Zhou Dynasty in 551 BCE

in the state of Lu. He grew up poor although he was descended from

scholarly family.

 Confucius philosophy is known as humanistic social philosophy

which focusses on human beings and the society in general.

 Confucianism is centered on ren which can be manifested through

the li (propriety), xiao (filiality), and yi (rightness). For Confucius,

ren reflects the person’s own understanding of humanity. It is found

within each person and can be realized in one’s personal life and

relationship. Ren guides human actions that makes life worth living

which can be realized through li, xiao, and yi:

o Li the propriety. Rules of propriety should be followed to guide

human actions. These rules are the customs, ceremonies, and

traditions that forms the basis of li. According to Confucius, “to

master oneself and return to propriety is humanity” (Koller, 2007). Self mastery

involves self development. Self mastery is characterized by self-control and the will to

redirect impulses to change these to socially accepted expression of human nature. Li

conforms to the norms of humanity, thus one must fulfill their duties and

responsibilities in this five (5) relationships: father and son, ruler and subject, older

and younger brothers, husband and wife, friend and friend.

o Xiao the filiality. This is the virtue of reverence and respect for the family. Parents

should be revered for the life they and given. Children show respect to their parents by

exerting efforts to take care of themselves. Reverence for parents and family is further

demonstrated by bringing honor to the family, making something of himself and to

earn respect of other. If, however, the person is having difficulty giving his family the

honor that they deserved, he should just do this best to not disgrace the family.

Relationship that exist in the family reflect hoe the person relates to others in the

community. The family is the reflection of the person. How the person interacts

socially and the values they emulate can all be traced back to their family environment.

This forms the bases of the person’s moral and social virtues (Koller, 2007).

o Yi the rightness. The right way of behaving which is unconditional and absolute. Right
is right, and what is not right is wrong. Actions must be performed and carried out

because they are right actions. Confucius emphasized that actions should be performed

because they are right and not for selfish benefits that they provide.