Cross‐cultural model testing: toward a solution of the etic‐emic dilemma

Abstract

A model for the prediction of behavior from attitudinal components, developed by Triandis, was tested with samples of U.S. and Mexican women, and with fertility relevant behaviors. The elements of the model are etic, but the operationalizations of the various variables were done emically. Results support the model in both cultures. While the predictive utility of the model is equivalent in two cultures, there are social class differences on which component of the model is most emphasized. The U.S. upper-middle-class sample and the Mexican upper-middle-class sample emphasized the person's attitude toward the act, while the Mexican lower SES (socio-economic status) sample emphasized the person's normative beliefs (moral obligations).Pike (1966) has contrasted two approaches to the study of cultural phenomena. The "emic" approach attempts to describe items of behavior occurring in a particular culture utilizing only concepts employed in that culture. The "etic" approach attempts to describe behavior using external criteria imposed by the researcher. A researcher adopting an emic approach may obtain a very accurate within culture description but, by definition, he cannot do cross-cultural research. One who adopts an etic methodology imposes universal categories on his data and can, therefore, make cross-

What affects influenza vaccination rates among older patients? An analysis from inner-city, suburban, rural, and veterans affairs practices

“…The model predicts several health-related behaviors, including receipt of immunizations, exercise, and use of birth control, and has been used in different cultural and economic situations (10,(13)(14)(15). The Triandis model as used for influenza immunization is internally consistent and has been validated externally (10).…”

Comparative research methodology: Cross‐cultural studies

“…There is no translation of material from one language to another, with the exception of instructions to subjects and descriptions of other procedural matters, The details of the procedures are very complex, with multivariate statistics frequently being used, and more complete discussions are available in several places (Triandis, 1972(Triandis, , 1976Davidson, Jaccard, Triandis, Morales and Diaz-Guerrero, 1976). The highlights will be presented here.…”

“…But because the emic items were written to measure etic constructs, cross-cultural comparisons could still be made, for instance, regarding the relative importance of the etic concepts in each culture. Triandis (1976) points out that in this procedure the etic concepts such as race, nationality, religion, occupation, or social distance, are at a much higher level of generality than the emic manifestations of them within each culture.…”

Individualism–collectivism and group creativity

“…Because the person's identity is closely linked to his/her social group in collectivistic cultures, the primary goal of the person is not to maintain independence from others, but to promote the interests of the group (Davidson, Jaccard, Triandis, Morales & Diaz-Guerrero, 1976). In contrast, most people in individualistic cultures assume that their identity is a direct consequence of their unique traits.…”