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Table. 1.4 Predominant Characteristics <strong>of</strong> Independent and<br />

Interdependent Self-Construals.<br />

Independent<br />

Self separate from others<br />

4 00- Interdependent<br />

Self connected to others<br />

Stable social identity Social identity contingent on<br />

context<br />

Uniqueness Fitting in with others<br />

Express personal identity Occupy proper place<br />

Work toward personal goals<br />

Esteem derived from self-<br />

Work toward group goals<br />

Esteem derived from harmonious<br />

expression (personal) behaviour (collective)<br />

Direct speech acts<br />

Direct expression <strong>of</strong> emotion<br />

Indirect speech acts<br />

Indirect expression <strong>of</strong> emotion<br />

Individual-based boundary Group-based boundary<br />

regulation regulation<br />

Independent self- / other- face Interdependent self- / other- face<br />

as primary concern as primary concern<br />

Derived from Morisaki and Gudykunst (1994)<br />

An interesting observation to emerge out <strong>of</strong> these studies is the<br />

implication that the status <strong>of</strong> the self, and thus face, may not be 'fixed' at some<br />

point on a cultural continuum, but rather enjoy a more dynamic status. Rather,<br />

one or the other members <strong>of</strong> a given culture might be better perceived as<br />

possessing both individualistic and collectivist values, with one set however<br />

variously predominating or being culturally preferred over the other (Morisaki<br />

and Gudykunst 1994). For example, much <strong>of</strong> the writings addressing East-West<br />

differences suggest that the Asian concept <strong>of</strong> face does not negate the<br />

individual, surrendering the self completely to wider societal forces. Although an<br />

overly defensive orientation to one's own face is generally frowned upon in<br />

Asian cultures, concern for and attempts to protect this seem equally a concern,<br />

as in Western societies.<br />

36

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