Symposium: Incorporating indigenous psychologies within cross-cultural psychology

XIXth International Congress XIXth International Congress of the International of the International Association for Cross-Cultural Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology, Psychology, July 27-31, 2008, July 27-31, 2008, Bremen, GermanyBremen, Germany

Symposium: Symposium:

Incorporating indigenous Incorporating indigenous psychologies within cross-psychologies within cross-cultural psychologycultural psychology

July 2008July 2008 (c) Weinreich 2008: Incorporating emics ...(c) Weinreich 2008: Incorporating emics ... 22

Incorporating emics within etic Incorporating emics within etic parameters: conceptual and parameters: conceptual and methodological toolsmethodological tools

Peter WeinreichPeter WeinreichUniversity of UlsterUniversity of UlsterUnited KingdomUnited Kingdom

[email protected]@ulster.ac.uk


Etic/emicEtic/emic dilemmadilemma

Etic/emicEtic/emic dilemma: a theory-driven dilemma: a theory-driven approachapproach

The assessment of psychological The assessment of psychological dimensions and processes postulated dimensions and processes postulated as being cross-cultural universals – as being cross-cultural universals – etics etics – given that culturally specific – given that culturally specific interpretations characterise the interpretations characterise the indigenous psychologies of local indigenous psychologies of local cultures – cultures – emicsemics


Universal psychological issues: Universal psychological issues: alternative indigenous alternative indigenous discoursesdiscourses Although having recognisable features Although having recognisable features

across cultures, different conceptions of across cultures, different conceptions of psychological issues - psychological issues - anorexia nervosaanorexia nervosa, , gender and professional identitygender and professional identity,, primordial sentiments about ethnicity primordial sentiments about ethnicity and nationalityand nationality - will be expressed in - will be expressed in alternative discourses peculiar to the alternative discourses peculiar to the respective indigenous psychologies, respective indigenous psychologies, which may not have immediately which may not have immediately translatable equivalents across cultures translatable equivalents across cultures


‘‘Self’ and ‘identity’ as Self’ and ‘identity’ as fundamental features of being-fundamental features of being-in-the-worldin-the-world

Notions of self and identity exist Notions of self and identity exist universally across cultures, but how ‘self’ universally across cultures, but how ‘self’ and ‘identity’ are manifested differs and ‘identity’ are manifested differs greatly from culture to culturegreatly from culture to culture

What elements constitute ‘self’ and What elements constitute ‘self’ and ‘identity’ range from highly individualistic ‘identity’ range from highly individualistic values and beliefs (Western) to ‘self’ values and beliefs (Western) to ‘self’ embedded in kin networks and ‘identity’ embedded in kin networks and ‘identity’ specified by position within specific kinship specified by position within specific kinship relationships (South Asian)relationships (South Asian)


Tools for assessing culturally Tools for assessing culturally specific self and identity specific self and identity processes processes

The conceptual and methodological The conceptual and methodological tools of the Identity Structure Analysis tools of the Identity Structure Analysis (ISA) conceptual framework(ISA) conceptual framework

Weinreich, P., & Saunderson, W. (Eds.) Weinreich, P., & Saunderson, W. (Eds.) (2003) (2003) Analysing Identity: Cross-Analysing Identity: Cross-Cultural, Societal and Clinical Cultural, Societal and Clinical Contexts. Contexts. London & New York:London & New York: Routledge/Taylor & FrancisRoutledge/Taylor & Francis


Etics incorporating emicsEtics incorporating emics

ISA: a natural and practical integration ISA: a natural and practical integration of the emic with the etic (of the emic with the etic (etics etics incorporating emicsincorporating emics))

for which ethnographic input about for which ethnographic input about indigenous psychologies is indigenous psychologies is fundamentalfundamental


Key conceptsKey concepts

The foundations of ISA derive from a The foundations of ISA derive from a number of extant theoretical number of extant theoretical approaches to the developmental and approaches to the developmental and social psychology of issues of self and social psychology of issues of self and identityidentity


Psychodynamic approachPsychodynamic approach……identity over the lifespan identity over the lifespan through identificationsthrough identifications

Symbolic InteractionismSymbolic Interactionism……identity through communication identity through communication

Self-Concept, Social Identity and Self-EsteemSelf-Concept, Social Identity and Self-Esteem……identity identity through societythrough society

Construal and AppraisalConstrual and Appraisal……identity by way of idiosyncratic identity by way of idiosyncratic personal constructions personal constructions

Cognitive-affective Consistency TheoryCognitive-affective Consistency Theory……identity subject identity subject to emotional and cognitive pressuresto emotional and cognitive pressures

Social Anthropology and Indigenous PsychologiesSocial Anthropology and Indigenous Psychologies……identity located in cultural contextidentity located in cultural context

The fundamental issue of ‘agency’ : Rom Harré – the The fundamental issue of ‘agency’ : Rom Harré – the agentic selfagentic self


ISA conceptsISA concepts

Macro concepts, such as ‘identity’ and Macro concepts, such as ‘identity’ and aspects of identity, such as ‘ethnic aspects of identity, such as ‘ethnic identity’ and ‘gender identity’identity’ and ‘gender identity’

Micro concepts, such as ‘elemental Micro concepts, such as ‘elemental identification’, ‘aspirational identification’, ‘aspirational identification’ and ‘ego-involvement’ identification’ and ‘ego-involvement’ with some otherwith some other


Definition of identity Definition of identity (macro)(macro)

A person's identity is defined as the A person's identity is defined as the totality of one's self-construal, in which totality of one's self-construal, in which how one construes oneself in the how one construes oneself in the present expresses the present expresses the continuitycontinuity between how one construes oneself as between how one construes oneself as one was in the past and how one one was in the past and how one construes oneself as one aspires to be construes oneself as one aspires to be in the futurein the future


Definition of ethnic identity Definition of ethnic identity (macro)(macro)

One’s ethnic identity is defined as that One’s ethnic identity is defined as that part of the totality of one’s self-part of the totality of one’s self-construal made up of those construal made up of those dimensions that express the continuity dimensions that express the continuity between one’s construal of past between one’s construal of past ancestry and one’s future aspirations ancestry and one’s future aspirations in relation to ethnicityin relation to ethnicity


Definition of elemental Definition of elemental identification identification (micro)(micro) AnAn elemental identificationelemental identification is defined is defined

as being an identity of a characteristic as being an identity of a characteristic attributed to the other and attributed to the other and experienced in oneselfexperienced in oneself

This definition holds for any culture, This definition holds for any culture, i.e., cross-culturally universal (etic)i.e., cross-culturally universal (etic)

It is simultaneously culturally specific It is simultaneously culturally specific (‘characteristic’ is emic) (‘characteristic’ is emic)


Identification with another: two Identification with another: two modesmodes

Aspirational – identification over the Aspirational – identification over the longer term, in respect of desired or longer term, in respect of desired or unwanted characteristics (two aspects)unwanted characteristics (two aspects)

Empathetic – identification in the Empathetic – identification in the immediate here and now, as immediate here and now, as manifested in one context after manifested in one context after another (context sensitive)another (context sensitive)


Definition of aspirational Definition of aspirational identification: aspect 1identification: aspect 1

Definition of idealistic-identification Definition of idealistic-identification with another (micro)with another (micro)

The extent of one’s idealistic-The extent of one’s idealistic-identification with another is defined identification with another is defined as the similarity between the qualities as the similarity between the qualities one attributes to the other and those one attributes to the other and those one would like to possess as part of one would like to possess as part of one’s ideal self-imageone’s ideal self-image


Definition of aspirational Definition of aspirational identification: aspect 2identification: aspect 2

Definition of contra-identification with Definition of contra-identification with another (micro)another (micro)

The extent of one’s contra-The extent of one’s contra-identification with another is defined identification with another is defined as the similarity between the qualities as the similarity between the qualities one attributes to the other and those one attributes to the other and those from which one would wish to from which one would wish to dissociatedissociate


Definition of empathetic Definition of empathetic identification with anotheridentification with another (micro) (micro)

The extent of one’s current empathetic The extent of one’s current empathetic identification with another is defined identification with another is defined as the degree of similarity between the as the degree of similarity between the qualities one attributes to the other, qualities one attributes to the other, whether ‘good’ or ‘bad’, and those of whether ‘good’ or ‘bad’, and those of one’s current self-imageone’s current self-image

May modulate according to contextMay modulate according to context


Integration of the emic and the Integration of the emic and the eticetic The definitions are cross-culturally The definitions are cross-culturally

universal (etic) and are parameters universal (etic) and are parameters standardised to range from zero (no standardised to range from zero (no identification) through to unity identification) through to unity (complete identification)(complete identification)

They also incorporate the culturally They also incorporate the culturally specific (emic) characteristics that specific (emic) characteristics that characterise indigenous values and characterise indigenous values and beliefsbeliefs


Indigenous psychologiesIndigenous psychologies

All cultures possess ‘indigenous All cultures possess ‘indigenous psychologies’ that are the working psychologies’ that are the working dominant understandings that underpin dominant understandings that underpin people’s everyday interactions and people’s everyday interactions and communicationscommunications

[These may be investigated scientifically [These may be investigated scientifically within a culture, giving rise to ‘scientific’ within a culture, giving rise to ‘scientific’ formulations of indigenous psychologies]formulations of indigenous psychologies]


Ethnographic discoursesEthnographic discourses In South Asian cultures ‘izaat’ and In South Asian cultures ‘izaat’ and

‘caste’ are summary terms for the ‘caste’ are summary terms for the complex indigenous psychological complex indigenous psychological imperatives of everyday relationships imperatives of everyday relationships that are central to conceptions of self that are central to conceptions of self and identity - they have no direct and identity - they have no direct psychological or societal equivalents in psychological or societal equivalents in western cultureswestern cultures

No straightforward translation and No straightforward translation and back-translation for these terms is back-translation for these terms is possiblepossible


Incorporating emic discoursesIncorporating emic discourses In the example of South Asian cultures, In the example of South Asian cultures,

the ISA definitions directly incorporate the ISA definitions directly incorporate people’s emic discourses around ‘izaat’ people’s emic discourses around ‘izaat’ and ‘caste’, as they are used to and ‘caste’, as they are used to characterise both themselves and others characterise both themselves and others in the community (whether appraised in the community (whether appraised favourably or unfavourably)favourably or unfavourably)

With the ISA approach, no translation of With the ISA approach, no translation of ‘izaat’ and ‘caste’ discourses is necessary ‘izaat’ and ‘caste’ discourses is necessary for scalar etic parameters of identityfor scalar etic parameters of identity


Etic parametersEtic parameters If the ISA definitions reference emic If the ISA definitions reference emic

characteristics, how is it possible that they characteristics, how is it possible that they can at the same time be etic? Are they not can at the same time be etic? Are they not simply culturally specific?simply culturally specific?

They are indeed culturally specific in terms They are indeed culturally specific in terms of their incorporation of emic of their incorporation of emic characteristics of indigenous psychologiescharacteristics of indigenous psychologies

However, as parameters they are However, as parameters they are standardised to etic scalesstandardised to etic scales


Example: empathetic Example: empathetic identification with anotheridentification with another

Recap: Recap: The extent of one’s current The extent of one’s current empathetic identification with another empathetic identification with another is defined as the degree of similarity is defined as the degree of similarity between the qualities one attributes to between the qualities one attributes to the other, whether ‘good’ or ‘bad’, and the other, whether ‘good’ or ‘bad’, and those of one’s current self-imagethose of one’s current self-image


Empathetic identification: Emic Empathetic identification: Emic qualities – etic parameterqualities – etic parameter

The emic qualities of one’s current self-The emic qualities of one’s current self-image constitute the agent’s reference image constitute the agent’s reference appraisal in a particular social contextappraisal in a particular social context

The agent appraises the other as The agent appraises the other as possessing various qualities that may or possessing various qualities that may or may not overlap with those of one’s may not overlap with those of one’s current self-imagecurrent self-image


Etic standardisationEtic standardisation

When there is no overlap between self-When there is no overlap between self-appraisal and appraisal of the other, appraisal and appraisal of the other, then (according to the ISA definition) the then (according to the ISA definition) the agent has no empathetic identification agent has no empathetic identification with the other, which is therefore with the other, which is therefore indicated by zeroindicated by zero

When the overlap is total, the agent When the overlap is total, the agent empathetically identifies with the other empathetically identifies with the other completely, which is indicated by unitycompletely, which is indicated by unity


Etic scalar propertiesEtic scalar properties Generally, an agent’s empathetic identification Generally, an agent’s empathetic identification

with another will be somewhere between zero with another will be somewhere between zero and unity (between 0.00 and 1.00), such that, and unity (between 0.00 and 1.00), such that, for example, 0.75 would indicate that the for example, 0.75 would indicate that the agent empathetically identifies quite closely agent empathetically identifies quite closely with the other, whereas 0.25 would represent with the other, whereas 0.25 would represent only a small degree only a small degree

The standardised etic parameter (with emic The standardised etic parameter (with emic content) ranges from 0.00 to 1.00content) ranges from 0.00 to 1.00


Example of moderate Example of moderate empathetic identification with empathetic identification with father father (South Asia)(South Asia)

In Mumbai a Hindu son has adopted some up-to-In Mumbai a Hindu son has adopted some up-to-date ideas about marriage partners, agreeing to date ideas about marriage partners, agreeing to an arranged marriage only on condition that he an arranged marriage only on condition that he is able to get to know and approve personally is able to get to know and approve personally the prospective woman concerned, that is, the prospective woman concerned, that is, without supervision. This would be an instance without supervision. This would be an instance of only moderate empathetic identification (say, of only moderate empathetic identification (say, 0.65) with his traditional father, with whom he 0.65) with his traditional father, with whom he shares other attributes shares other attributes


Example of moderate Example of moderate empathetic identification with empathetic identification with father father (Great Britain)(Great Britain) In London a secular son is living with In London a secular son is living with

his long-term partner without getting his long-term partner without getting married, while his devout Christian married, while his devout Christian father believes in the sanctuary of father believes in the sanctuary of marriage. As with the Mumbai case, marriage. As with the Mumbai case, he moderately empathetically he moderately empathetically identifies (again, say, 0.65) with his identifies (again, say, 0.65) with his traditional father, in terms of other traditional father, in terms of other shared attributes shared attributes


Mumbai compared with London: Mumbai compared with London: son’s empathetic identification with son’s empathetic identification with fatherfather

The emic aspect of empathetic identification is The emic aspect of empathetic identification is evident in both cases in accordance with the evident in both cases in accordance with the respective indigenous psychologies of mainstream respective indigenous psychologies of mainstream peer cultures in Mumbai and Londonpeer cultures in Mumbai and London

In both instances, a similar intergenerational In both instances, a similar intergenerational difference is evident, indicated by the scalar etic difference is evident, indicated by the scalar etic parameter denoting the same, only moderate, parameter denoting the same, only moderate, degree of empathetic identification with father degree of empathetic identification with father


Integration of the emic Integration of the emic (content) with the etic (scalar (content) with the etic (scalar parameter)parameter)

On the basis of theorising about processes of On the basis of theorising about processes of identity development in biographical and socio-identity development in biographical and socio-historical context, the ISA approach is theory historical context, the ISA approach is theory driven. It thereby provides etic concepts (such driven. It thereby provides etic concepts (such as empathetic identification with another) that as empathetic identification with another) that are unambiguously defined, which place emic are unambiguously defined, which place emic values and beliefs at the centre of the values and beliefs at the centre of the conceptualisation. Internal standardisation conceptualisation. Internal standardisation procedures enable etic parameters that have procedures enable etic parameters that have scalar cross-cultural comparabilityscalar cross-cultural comparability


Further ISA concepts in respect Further ISA concepts in respect of ‘entities’of ‘entities’

Conflicted identificationConflicted identification with another with another Identity diffusionIdentity diffusion (overall extent and (overall extent and

spread of conflicted identifications with spread of conflicted identifications with others)others)

Ego-involvementEgo-involvement with another with another Evaluation Evaluation of anotherof another Ego-involvementEgo-involvement with self with self Evaluation Evaluation of selfof self


Further ISA concepts in respect Further ISA concepts in respect of ‘constructs’of ‘constructs’

PolarityPolarity of a construct (indicating of a construct (indicating which of contrasting discourses is which of contrasting discourses is favoured)favoured)

Structural pressureStructural pressure on a construct on a construct (referencing compatibilities between (referencing compatibilities between cognition and affect maintaining stable cognition and affect maintaining stable usage that may be undermined by usage that may be undermined by incompatibilities)incompatibilities)

Emotional significance Emotional significance of a constructof a construct


ISA process postulatesISA process postulates Being a theoretical conceptualisation Being a theoretical conceptualisation

about identity processes, ISA provides about identity processes, ISA provides a series of postulates about:a series of postulates about:

Appraisal and reappraisal of self and Appraisal and reappraisal of self and othersothers

Benign and malign identification Benign and malign identification processesprocesses

Resolution of conflicted identificationsResolution of conflicted identifications Change in aspirations, values and Change in aspirations, values and

beliefs over timebeliefs over time


Powering ISA in practicePowering ISA in practice After appropriate ethnographic work in the After appropriate ethnographic work in the

targeted culture, a customised ‘identity targeted culture, a customised ‘identity instrument’ is created which consists of emic instrument’ is created which consists of emic ‘themes’ and significant ‘domains’ of self, others, ‘themes’ and significant ‘domains’ of self, others, groups, agents and institutionsgroups, agents and institutions

‘‘Themes’ are evoked in terms of emic discourses Themes’ are evoked in terms of emic discourses and texts, presented as ‘bipolar constructs’and texts, presented as ‘bipolar constructs’

‘‘Domains’ are represented by appropriate Domains’ are represented by appropriate ‘entities’‘entities’


Emic appraisal of self and Emic appraisal of self and othersothers

By way of the customised identity instrument, By way of the customised identity instrument, the participant uses the emic discourses the participant uses the emic discourses (constructs) to appraise and characterise self (constructs) to appraise and characterise self and others (entities) and others (entities)

Construal of one’s ideal self indicates the Construal of one’s ideal self indicates the characterisations to which the person aspires, characterisations to which the person aspires, thereby providing evidence of favoured thereby providing evidence of favoured discourses – with corresponding evaluative discourses – with corresponding evaluative connotations that derive from the person’s connotations that derive from the person’s biographical experiences within the relevant biographical experiences within the relevant indigenous cultureindigenous culture


‘‘Culture’ as societal processCulture’ as societal process

Evaluative connotations of discourses are Evaluative connotations of discourses are empirically assessed for each individual: empirically assessed for each individual: they are not assumed or imposed by the they are not assumed or imposed by the investigatorinvestigator

Hence, as well as being sensitive to the Hence, as well as being sensitive to the discourses of indigenous psychologies, discourses of indigenous psychologies, ISA is able to ascertain alternative ISA is able to ascertain alternative perspectives within a community, as perspectives within a community, as when cultural values and beliefs are when cultural values and beliefs are debated and changes occur over timedebated and changes occur over time


ISA in practice: algorithms for ISA in practice: algorithms for ISA concepts ISA concepts

All ISA definitions of psychological All ISA definitions of psychological concepts are translated into concepts are translated into algorithms that are isomorphic with algorithms that are isomorphic with the definitionsthe definitions

Customised identity instruments Customised identity instruments enable participants to appraise their enable participants to appraise their social worlds within the context of an social worlds within the context of an indigenous psychology (emic)indigenous psychology (emic)


ISA in practice: ‘ipseus’ ISA in practice: ‘ipseus’ computer softwarecomputer software

The dedicated ipseus software uses the The dedicated ipseus software uses the algorithms to: algorithms to:

Operationalise the ISA concepts (e.g., Operationalise the ISA concepts (e.g., empathetic identification with another) to empathetic identification with another) to become parameters of identity, the become parameters of identity, the magnitudes of which are ascertained for magnitudes of which are ascertained for each personeach person

Internally standardise, to each person’s Internally standardise, to each person’s particular usage of discourses, the etic particular usage of discourses, the etic scalar properties for each parameterscalar properties for each parameter


Conclusion & ReferencesConclusion & References ISA provides robust and sensitive tools for ascertaining ISA provides robust and sensitive tools for ascertaining

identity processes in terms of etic parameters of identity processes in terms of etic parameters of identity that embody emic values and beliefsidentity that embody emic values and beliefs

Weinreich, P., & Saunderson, W. (Eds.) (2003) Weinreich, P., & Saunderson, W. (Eds.) (2003) Analysing Identity: Cross-Cultural, Societal and Clinical Analysing Identity: Cross-Cultural, Societal and Clinical Contexts. Contexts. London & New York:London & New York: Routledge/Taylor & Routledge/Taylor & FrancisFrancis

Weinreich, P., & Ewart, S. (2007) Weinreich, P., & Ewart, S. (2007) ipseusipseus computer computer software for identity exploration.software for identity exploration. Belfast: Sycadex Ltd Belfast: Sycadex Ltd

www.identityexploration.comwww.identityexploration.com

http://www.identityexploration.com/

Symposium: Incorporating indigenous psychologies within cross-cultural psychology

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