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... es humans as chameleon like in their self-concept, but if this were true and humans were constantly "recreating" selves to adapt to our social settings, why do we so strongly believe our attitudes and opinions (of ourselves) to be so constant. One suggestion is that these feelings of consistency is provided by our memories. We select those memories that provided a consistent "narrative framework" (Burr) so that when we do look inwardly we find a more structured and less changing set of beliefs.
Contrasting to looking to others for cues or clues as to why we are so-why not look inside. "Introspection is difficult and fallible... (T) he difficulty is simply that of all observation of whatever kind. " (James, 1980). Looking inwardly and examining your own thoughts, feelings and motives, does not have as much influence as one would assume on an individuals self-concept. A study by Csikszentmihalyi and Figurski (1982) into individuals thoughts throughout the day found individuals were more likely to be thinking mundane thoughts or indeed thoughts about other people and conversations with them account for the majority of our daily thoughts. (they also found no thoughts at all, were counted more than thoughts on the self. Introspection can be unpleasant, because it focuses our attention on how we fall short of our internal standards, "People generally strive to maintain a sense of self that is both consistent and positive" (Aronson, 1997). Towards ourselves we are a biased critic, whether suggesting compliments or criticisms - we lack the subjectivity that others can provided. As shown above the social environment in which we live can have an effect on how we perceive ourselves, however not all humans live in similar social circumstances - we are also subject to cultural differences.
Research into the cultural differences between humans have identified two perspectives which influence how the self is seen. They are the: "Independent" and "Interdependent" view of "the self" (Aronson et al, P 154). The "Independent" view is shared more by those socialized within a "Western" environment, their self-concepts are more influenced by the internal thoughts of the individual. This is contrast with the "Interdependent" view, which finds the self defined in-terms of the individuals relationships with other people (i. e. your thoughts and feelings are also determined by those of the people who surround you).
This cultural difference shows how strongly socialisation can affect self-conception, whether the self is viewed internally or externally guided, both viewpoints are influenced by the culture you are socialized in. Therefore if "the self" existed independently and not subject to the society which surrounds it, there would not be cultural differences. Society is forever evolving and in each society (whether that means a country, a family, or school) there are idiosyncrasies which are unique to that society, these would not be maintained to the degree they are if people were not subject to so much influence from others. However it is a good idea to remember that culture is "only a construction and not an inherent reality" (Aronson, 1999). Therefore what happens when you are removed from that reality? If your parents were socialized within an Asian culture, but are living in Britain what belief system are you more likely to relate to?
Also the question of the westernization of the non-western world has this had any affects on the peoples living in the twenty-first century, with so much western television / films , music, fashion, media in general offered to those outside of this environment, what could this impact have? Linking to the above points regarding the dualism within different cultures, recent research has suggested that there is a parallel between cultural differences (seen within Western and Asian societies) and gender differences, in self-concepts, in the USA. Research suggests that women in the USA are more likely to hold a view of self which is "Interdependent" finding that women are more likely to define themselves more in relation to other people (making and maintaining close friendships throughout their lives), whereas men define themselves more as independent of others (trends suggesting that men tend to prefer a larger friendship groups - but less intimate relationships with their friends). Cross and Madson (1997) suggested these differences start in early childhood with choices of competitive activities for boy's and more co-operative social relationships for girls and carry on into adulthood. The idea that each sex manages relationships differently is not really any new idea (one gets the idea we all have the same goals just different game plans) but the overlap between the sexes, in terms of their motives, more than makes up for the differences, suggested above. In conclusion, research in social science has focused on the self as a social object, "defined and determined by actions occurring within the collectively of others", (Hsu et al, 1985).
Looking for the self as an isolate being is a rather impossible exercise, as humans live with, and amongst each other. Our sense of individuality comes from living in a social world - where we share language, living space and time with others. We all actively seek friendships, loving relationships and fear being left alone, it would near be impossible to try to separate one individual from the society which surrounds them. It is a rather overused clich, but humans are social beings, and this is lacking from the above mentioned motives, the intrinsic need to be around others. We cannot separate society from the self as "ourselves" cannot be separated from society.
Bibliography: Bibliography Art, R. M. , Aronson, E. , Wilson, T. D. (1999). 3 rd Ed Social Psychology. Harlow: Longman. 0 - 321 - 02435 - 4.
Aronson, E. (1997). Dissonance, Hypocrisy, and the Self-Concept (Ch 5, p 219): Readings about the Social Animal (8 ed). New York: Worth Publishers. 0 - 7167 - 3313 - 7. Burr, V. (1995). An Introduction to Social Constructionism. London: Routledge. 0 - 415 - 10404 - 1.
Cooley, C. H. , (1964) cited in Lowland, J. (1969). Deviance and Identity. N J, USA: Prentice Hall. 13 - 208413 - 9 Cross, S. E. , Madson, L. (1997). Models of the Self: Self-construal's and gender.
Psychological Bulletin, 122, 5 - 37. Devos, G. , Hsu, F. , Marsella, A. J. (EDs). (1985). Culture and Self: Asian and Western Perspectives. London: Tavistock. 0 - 422 - 79140 - 7.
Johnson, F. As cited in (Ch. 4): Devos, G. , Hsu, F. , Marsella, A. J. (EDs). (1985). Culture and Self: Asian and Western Perspectives.
London: Tavistock. ISBN 0 - 422 - 79140 - 7. Richards, G. (1996). Putting Psychology in its Place: An Introduction from a Critical Historical Perspective.
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Research essay sample on Cultural Differences London Routledge
