Self-Concept, Aspirations, and Weil-Being in South Korea and the United States

Abstract

The authors examined the similarities and differences between 3 dimensions that represent people's focus on self vs. other: individualistic vs. collectivistic nations, independent vs. interdependent self-concepts, and intrinsic vs. extrinsic aspirations. In samples of South Korean and U.S. college students, the authors found that each of these dimensions was interrelated in expected ways and that each also was independently associated with different aspects of participants' self-report of their own well-being (i.e., self-actualization, vitality, happiness, anxiety, and physical manifestations). The authors concluded that environmental circumstances and personality characteristics that focus on personal needs are more likely to provide experiences supportive of psychological well-being.

Key Words:

• cross-cultural study
• independent versus interdependent self-concepts
• individualistic versus collectivistic cultures
• intrinsic versus extrinsic aspirations
• well-being