Well, we believe that these statements represent individual’s sense of self. Let us begin examining each graphic in turn. The image in red represents an independent view of self whereas the image in blue represents and interdependent aspect of the self. They both represent how you might view yourself more generally.
Now, let us consider the similarities between the two images and differences in turn. But before we do, we need to define what each symbol means.
1. The yellow circle represents an individual in holistic sense
2. The blue circles with singular labels represent other individuals (e.g., mother)
3. The Xs represent aspects of identity, descriptors that people will report using the twenty statements test
4. The big X represents a salient aspect of self-view and small X, less important characteristics
5. As you can see, the circles are separated by either solid or dashed line.
Dashed line represents the flexibility of the representation—people can cross the border easily
Solid line represents the stability of the representation—difficult to cross through
6. Finally, the figures are divided into what people would consider in-group and out-group members.
Now, focusing on the independent self (figure in red):
You see a individual with multiple characteristics that serve as defining features. In fact, each circle has those features defining their identity. That is, when you think about self, you think about your own attributes and when you think about others you think about other people’s attributes. Critically, these attributes are separate—there is little to no overlap between the sense of self and the sense of others may be like. Each individual in here is a separate entity that does not share many core attributes with others. As such, an individual is separate from others. While so, you can see that all others are embedded within the in-group, rather than out-group—this represents the closeness of relationships. As you can see, friends and family members tend to be close to an individual and acquaintances a little bit farther out. The strangers are located outside of the circle and do not have any attributes—they simply are out-group members and we have very little information about them. However, as you can see, it is very close in the view of independent self to cross the in-group/out-group boundary. Why? Well, if the self is a separate entity and is protected by the solid border, there is no reason to create a self of separation between yourself and other people who are located within the vicinity. Recapitulate.
Interdependent self, in contrast to independent self, is defined through the relationships with others in the in-group. The self-identity is intrinsically represented as one with others and all of the self attributes overlap with attributes possessed by others. People tend to define themselves based on the “family resemblance,” similarity, and relationships that they have with the others. New attributes can arise and help define both individuals. Next, everything that is happening within the in-group setting is bound by the solid line. Meaning that whereas the relationships and identities are shared within the group, outsiders are not welcome because there is no relationship with them and identity is largely defined by the relationships with others within the circle.
This of course is an extreme representation of the self. How many of you used at least one personal attribute when describing yourself on the 20 statements test? How many of you used at least one role/relationship to describe yourselves. As you can easily see, each individual can be both interdependent and independent at the same time. Why does it matter, well, we need to understand that independent and interdependent are located on the continuum and when we speak about cultural differences we do not necessarily think about this model as a perfect definition of what is going on—rather, we focus on the more flexible definition, stating that most people in collectivistic cultures would be expected to interact with the world in the interdependent way whereas most of the people in individualistic cultures would be expected to interact with the world in the relational way.