Cultur Divers Ethnic Minor Psychol. 2011 Apr;17(2):211-6. doi: 10.1037/a0023686.

Language and the bicultural dialectical self.

Cultural diversity & ethnic minority psychology

Helen C Boucher, Meghan C O'Dowd

PMID: 21604845 DOI: 10.1037/a0023686

Abstract

We examined the effect of language priming on naïve dialecticism, with special attention paid to effects on dialectical beliefs about the self. European Americans responding in English and bilingual Chinese responding in either Chinese or English completed several measures designed to tap dialectical thinking and dialectical self-perceptions, including tolerance of contradiction, change in thoughts and behavior over time and context, holistic beliefs, and self-concept inconsistency. As expected, those answering in Chinese reported greater dialecticism on most of these measures, relative to those responding in English. European American responses were highly similar to those of bilinguals responding in English. We discuss advantages of language priming and offer directions for future research.

MeSH terms

• Asians / psychology
• Cross-Cultural Comparison
• Culture*
• Humans
• Language*
• Multilingualism*
• Personality*
• Self Concept
• Whites / psychology

Publication Types

• Journal Article
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't