The Measurement of Independent and Interdependent Self-Construals

Abstract

Following concepts introduced by Markus and Kitayama, this study describes the theoretical and empirical development of a scale to measure the strength of an individual's interdependent and independent self-construals. These two images of self are conceptualized as reflecting the emphasis on connectedness and relations often found in non-Western cultures (interdependent) and the separateness and uniqueness of the individual (independent) stressed in the West. It is argued that these two images of self can and do coexist in individuals and that they can be measured. A 24-item Self-Construal Scale measuring two dimensions of self-image is presented. The two distinct dimensions of the scale were supported in confirmatory factor analyses of two multiethnic samples of college students. The scale was found to have satisfactory reliability and validity. Its implications and potential applications are discussed.

Escala multi-fatorial de individualismo e coletivismo: elaboração e validação de construto

“…Não obstante, ao menos neste país, os demais fatores do individualismo não implicam uma renúncia ao contato social ou à identificação com endogrupos secundários (amigos, companheiros e vizinhos). Isso reforça, uma vez mais, a particularidade da cultura considerada, em que podem coexistir uma ênfase nas dimensões independente e interdependente da auto-imagem (Singelis, 1994). A pessoa pode ser individualista, mas sem renunciar às suas relações sociais, principalmente àquelas que são estabelecidas no âmbito mais informal, entre os companheiros de estudo ou trabalho.…”

“…-Escala de Auto-Imagem. Segundo Singelis (1994) Apesar das evidências favoráveis a esta escala, Gouveia e Clemente (1998) ressaltam que os itens do individualismo horizontal são muito abrangentes, cobrindo mais do que o atributo "um ser único". Em resumo, embora possam ser identificados diversos instrumentos para medir o individualismo e o coletivismo, a maioria tem sido elaborada sem um marco teórico sólido de referência; os procedimentos estatísticos exploratórios são indicação deste fato.…”

Interdependence as a Mediator between Culture and Interpersonal Closeness for Euro-Canadians and Turks

“…A lottery for $25 (or the equivalent of Turkish Liras) was offered in each data collection session. The questionnaire that participants were given contained demographic questions, the Inclusion of the Other in Self Scale (IOS) (Aron et al, 1992), and the Measure of Independent and Interdependent SelfConstrual (Singelis, 1994). The original English version of the questionnaire was translated into Turkish by the first author and then backtranslated into English by a second translator to ensure compatibility and equivalence in meaning (Brislin, 1986).…”

A Three-way Interaction Model of Information Withholding: Investigating the Role of Information Sensitivity, Prevention Focus, and Interdependent Self-Construal

“…Self-construal is conceptualized as individuals' divergent views about the self, which depicts the extent to which they think of themselves as distinct from others, or as connected with others (Markus & Kitayama, 1991;Singelis, 1994). Self-construal consists of an independent self and an interdependent self, which are exemplified in Western (individualist) and Asian (collective) cultures, respectively (Kim et al, 1996).…”

“…Interdependent self-construal, on the other hand, focuses on individuals in the context of social relationships, associating the self within the external social environment (Markus & Kitayama, 1991). Although independent and interdependent self-construal originate from cross-culture research on individualism and collectivism, these two ways of viewing the self co-exist within every individual in any culture, and vary in their relative strengths in determining the overall self-construal of an individual (Singelis, 1994). Individuals with a dominant independent self-construal seek to distinguish themselves positively from others, with a focus on the positive aspects of the self and potential gains in situations.…”