Environmental factors (continued)

Two examples of these differences would be "locus of control" and "self-monitoring". Studies have shown that in general, Western cultures gave a more internal locus of control as compared to Asian cultures. It has also shown that people from industrialized places are generally more internal than people from developing places. Cross-cultural studies of self-monitoring has shown that those from the US and Australia score higher in self-monitoring than people from Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong and Korea. Professionals have also done some comparison on the American and Asian ideas of self. Their studies indicate that American parents teach their children to be independent, to feel good about themselves and to see themselves as special individuals. Children are encouraged to do well in competitive activities and to become outstanding. American children learn to value themselves by their credits, abilities, accomplishments and by what they own. Those carrying out this study conclude that the American culture eencourages an "independent view of the self". American youngsters tend to exaggerate how unique they are and overestimate their skills and capabilities.

Asian cultures, on the other hand, encourage an "interdependent view of the self". This view focuses more on the basic bonds between people, a nd how each connection relates to each person. Parents may teach their children that they can rely on family and friends. Asian children are taught to be modest about personal achievements, and to see themselves as a fraction of a larger whole. Children are taught to try to fit in with others and not to stand out from the group. The researchers thus conclude that typical Asian children learn to place value of themselves in terms of the group they belong to - their relations with others and group achievements. And because of this, they do not need to exaggerate how unique or capable they are. Asians tend to see themselves as similar to their friends than Americans and they put less emphasis on personal achievements than Americans may.

As seen from the above, the environment we grow up in, including the home environment with the influence of parents and siblings, and the culture and society plays an important role in personality development too. Now we will look at the interaction and correlation of genetic and environmental factors.

Produced for Thinkquest Internet Challenge 2000.

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