Summary

Giving entire cultures a personality test

Personality is shaped by both genetic and environmental influences. Among the most important of the latter are cultural influences.

According to McCrae et al., global traits do exist. The scientists argued that there are basic tendencies (neuroticism, extraversion) that are independent of culture. Analysis has shown the main stereotypes of people from other cultures. One of those stereotypes is that Canadians consider themselves polite and kindly.

However, there is a negative point of the personality test of cultures. Tests developed in one culture and translated for use in other culture are likely to be insensitive to cultural differences and to produce distorted results. More over, traits exist in all cultures, but account for behaviour less in collectivist than in individualist cultures.

In conclusion, national character is an index of how people see themselves inside a culture. Most people hold beliefs about personality characteristics typical of members of their own and others cultures.