GE 1 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

THE SELF IN EASTERN AND WESTERN THOUGHT

THE EXISTENTIAL SELF
The most basic part of the self-concept; the
sense of being separate and distinct from others
and the awareness of the self. (Bee, 1992)
THE CATEGORICAL SELF
Having realized that he or she exists as a
separate experiencing being, the child becomes
aware that he or she is also an object in the
world.
INDIVIDUALISTIC (I)
- Those that stress the needs of the
individual over the needs of the group.
- People are seen as INDEPENDENT and
AUTONOMOUS.
- People are considered "good" if they are
strong, self-reliant, and independent.
Holds that every person is an end in himself and
that no person should be sacrificed for the sake
of another.
COLLECTIVISM
Holds that the needs and goals of the individual
are subordinate to those of the larger group and
should be sacrificed when the collective good so
requires.
INDIVIDUALISM.
 Holds that the individual is the unit of
achievement. While not denying that
one person can build on the
achievements of others.
 Points out that achievement goes beyond
what has already been done; it is
something new that is created by the
individual.

COLLECTIVISTIC (WE) COLLECTIVISM.

- Emphasize the needs and goals of the  Holds that achievement is a product of
group over the needs and desires of society.
each individual.  In this view, an individual is a
- Relationships with other members of the temporary spokesman for the
group and the interconnectedness underlying, collective process of
between people play a central role in progress.
each person's identity.
- Unity and selflessness are valued traits CHARACTERISTICS OF INDIVIDUALIST
in collectivist cultures. ➢INDIVIDUAL AUTONOMY
COLLECTIVISTIC VS INDIVIDUALISTIC
➢SELF-ORIENTED
INDIVIDUALISM ➢PERSONAL GOALS
 See people dealing primarily with reality ➢UNIQUE AND INDEPENDENT
 Other people are just one aspect of ➢INDIVIDUAL PRIVACY
reality. ➢NUCLEAR FAMILY
➢INDIVIDUAL REWARDS (EQUITY)
COLLECTIVISM ➢COMPETITION
 See people dealing primarily with other
people CHARACTERISTICS OF COLLECTIVIST
 Reality is dealt with through mediator of ➢GROUP UNITY AND HARMONY
the group
➢GROUP-ORIENTED
 The group, not the individual, is what
directly confronts reality ➢GROUP GOALS
➢CONFORMING
INDIVIDUALISM ➢INTERDEPENDENT
➢GROUP BELONGINGNESS
➢EXTENDED FAMILY
➢EQUAL DISTRIBUTION OF REWARD
(EQUALITY)
➢COOPERATION
INDIVIDUALISM
FRANCE
NETHERLANDS
NORDIC COUNTRIES
CZECH
HUNGARY
POLAND
ITALY
GERMANY
USA
AUSTRALIA
CANADA
NEW ZEALAND

COLLECTIVIST
THAILAND
KOREA
COSTA RICA
CHILE
RUSSIA
BULGARIA
PORTUGAL
SPAI
CHINA
JAPAN
MEXICO
VENEZUELA
MIDDLE EASTERN COUNTRIES
PHILIPPINES
GREEC