Life's recurring challenges and the fundamental dimensions: An integration and its implications for cultural differences and similarities

• Published in: European journal of social psychology 2008-12, Vol.38 (7), p.1083-1092
• Main Authors: Ybarra, Oscar, Chan, Emily, Park, Hyekyung, Burnstein, Eugene, Monin, Benoît, Stanik, Christine
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agency and Structure; Biological and medical sciences; Comparative analysis; Cultural differences; Cultural differentiation; Cultural Universals; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Group dynamics; Integration; Judgement; Judgment; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Social attribution, perception and cognition; Social Perception; Social psychology; Social Relations; Social values; Studies
• ISSN: 0046-2772; 1099-0992
• DOI: 10.1002/ejsp.559

We propose that two psychological dimensions, one relevant to relationships and group life (communion, C) and the other to skill acquisition, talent, and accomplishment (agency, A), aid people in interpreting their social worlds. Moreover, our analysis demonstrates the privileged nature of the C dimension and its relative stability compared to the A dimension across contexts and cultures. In Study 1 we use a standard compilation of culturally universal practices and show that the C dimension accounts for the majority of these universals, implying that the meaning of A traits varies more across cultures than that of C traits. In Studies 2 and 3, we provide evidence for this proposal using different judgment paradigms and cultural groups. The findings indicate that there is greater similarity and consensus in how people make sense of and judge information from the C than A dimension. We discuss the findings in terms of the recurring challenges people face over time as a result of living in groups. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.