Self-identity across cultures, a comparison of Canada and Japan

grantor: University of TorontoThis study focuses on cultural differences in self-identity and its expression. Self-identity is the awareness of one's own personhood and the qualities that constitute it. University students in Canada and Japan endorsed categorical responses to questions about their experience of self, such as whether their self-identity varies across contexts, is expressed in their behaviour, and the desirability of this expression. Japanese were more likely than Canadians to report experiencing relative variability in their beliefs about themselves across situations. However, Japanese were no different from Canadians in reporting that they strive to express their self-identity in behaviour and that they experience frustration when unable to do so. Japanese and Canadians also reported highly similar profiles in self-identity expression across activity domains (e.g., when alone, being with close friends). Implications for what is universal and what is culture-specific in the experience of personal identity is discussed.M.A