The sociocultural approach focuses on how ethnicity, gender, and culture influence personality formation. It examines the differences between individualism, which prioritizes individual freedom, and collectivism, which prioritizes group affiliation. Psychologist Carl Rogers contributed to this perspective by noting that self-concepts reflect beliefs about how others see us, and that unconditional positive regard from therapists can facilitate personality change in clients. The sociocultural approach provides insights into how social and cultural factors shape self-concept and self-esteem over time. It enhances understanding of differences between cultures.

1. Sociocultural Approach

2. What Is It?
The sociocultural approach focuses on the roles of
ethnicity, gender and culture in the formation of
personality.

3. Individualism
Individualism is a social theory that favors freedom for
one’s self over collective control.
EX: A person who says they are a nurse instead of
referring to themselves as a member of the hospital.

4. Collectivism
Collectivism is when a person gives groups more priority
over their individual self.
EX: A person who says they are a father instead of
referring to their occupation.

5. Comparison
Individualism and collectivism are different because one
sees themselves as a part of a group, and the other
sees themselves as they are.
They are similar because they both have to do with how
one views themselves.

6. Carl Rogers
(1902-1987)
Rogers noted that our self concepts tend to
reflect how we believe other people see us.
Believed that children in some families learn that
it is bad to have ides of their own. The fear of
seeing themselves as wrong, they may have to,
in a way, disown themselves.
Believed that we hurt others or act in antisocial
ways only when we are frustrated in our efforts to
develop our potential.

7. CARL ROGERS
CONTINUED
He proposed the person-centered theory of psychology
(people’s self-concepts determine their behavior and
relationships with others).
He believed that the relationship between client and therapist
was crucial in the treatment of psychological disorders and
that a therapist’s unconditional positive regard could help
clients undergo psychotherapeutic personality change.

8. Sociocultural Factors and the
Self
The social and cultural factors also affect the self-concept
and self-esteem of the individual.
EX: Members of ethnic groups introduced to
discrimination and/or poverty may have poor self-concepts
and lower self-esteem than those who have
not experienced those things.

9. Acculturation and Self-esteem
Personalities are influenced by more than cultural traits and
learning experiences. They are also influenced by the culture
around you.
Acculturation is the process of adapting to a new or different
culture.
EX: A Russian coming to the United States of America and
having to adjust to the American culture.

10. Evaluation of Approach
Provides valuable insights in the roles of ethnicity,
gender, culture and socioeconomic status in
personality formation.
The sociocultural perspective also enhances the
sensitivity to differences between culture and allows
us to appreciate much of human behavior.

11. Works Cited
http://www.druga.org/~dogsa/Syllabus_SL_11.htm
http://feetintwoworlds.wordpress.com/2012/05/21/reading-carl-rogers/
http://blog.personalgrowthclub.com/balancing-teamwork-and-individualism-http://www.collapsingintoconsciousness.com/individualism-or-collectivism/
http://seattlehealinghypnotherapy.com/blog-post/building-confidence-
and-self-esteem-with-hypnotherapy/

12. WORKS CITED CONT.
http://www.evaluationforms.org/examples/
http://www.awaken.com/tag/carl-rogers/
http://blog.melschwartz.com/2013/07/29/self-esteem-or-other-
esteem-2/
http://www.customhomedesigns.com.au/building-guide/
custom-build-vs-project-build-comparison/