Self‐Construals and Social Interaction

Abstract It has been proffered that independent and interdependent construals of self are one of the most prominent self‐schemata for distinguishing culture. Those with independent self‐construals see themselves as distinct, autonomous individuals with unique internal attributes, while those with interdependent self‐construals view themselves in the context of being woven inextricably within significant social relationships. Cultures and individuals can balance and develop each of these orientations in many different ways. Self‐construals are conducive in formulating views of the self‐concept that include the newer ideas of multiple or hybrid identities. Applied in social interaction, self‐construals seem to determine the degree of direct and indirect communication styles in various communication settings as well as the flexibility in various conversational strategy choices across different cultural settings.