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Table. 1.4 Predominant Characteristics of Independent and
Interdependent Self-Construals.
Independent
Self separate from others
4 00- Interdependent
Self connected to others
Stable social identity Social identity contingent on
context
Uniqueness Fitting in with others
Express personal identity Occupy proper place
Work toward personal goals
Esteem derived from self-
Work toward group goals
Esteem derived from harmonious
expression (personal) behaviour (collective)
Direct speech acts
Direct expression of emotion
Indirect speech acts
Indirect expression of emotion
Individual-based boundary Group-based boundary
regulation regulation
Independent self- / other- face Interdependent self- / other- face
as primary concern as primary concern
Derived from Morisaki and Gudykunst (1994)
An interesting observation to emerge out of these studies is the
implication that the status of the self, and thus face, may not be 'fixed' at some
point on a cultural continuum, but rather enjoy a more dynamic status. Rather,
one or the other members of a given culture might be better perceived as
possessing both individualistic and collectivist values, with one set however
variously predominating or being culturally preferred over the other (Morisaki
and Gudykunst 1994). For example, much of the writings addressing East-West
differences suggest that the Asian concept of face does not negate the
individual, surrendering the self completely to wider societal forces. Although an
overly defensive orientation to one's own face is generally frowned upon in
Asian cultures, concern for and attempts to protect this seem equally a concern,
as in Western societies.
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