Mental Health Factors That Guide Individuals to Engage in Overconsumption Behavior During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Cultural Study Between USA and Ecuador.

Background: This study tests a framework that examines the role of several mental health factors (mood, wellbeing, health consciousness, and hoarding) on individuals' overconsumption behavior under the novel coronavirus context. This examination is relevant to public health literature because it increases our knowledge on how the context of COVID-19 pandemic affects people's mental health and provides answers to why individuals engage in overconsumption behavior. Additionally, this research also follows a cross-cultural perspective aiming to understand how individuals from different cultural orientations cope with the psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that compares samples from two countries: Ecuador (n = 334) and USA (n = 321). Data was collected via an online survey. The timing of data collection was set during the mandatory lockdowns and social distance measures taken by both countries to fight against the COVID-19 virus breakout. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to test the theorized framework. Multi-group analysis was used to explore cultural orientation differences among the relationships included in the model. Results: The results indicate that individuals' mood state has a positive relationship with health consciousness, as people try to regulate their health concerns by maintaining positive perceptions of their subjective wellbeing. Further, the increased concern individuals express in their health is responsible for them to engage in overconsumption behavior. Cultural orientation (individualism vs. collectivism) moderates the relationship between mood and health consciousness. No moderation effect was found for the relationship between health consciousness and overconsumption. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has generated negative effects in individuals' mental health. Findings from this study suggest that maintaining a positive mood is important for individuals at the time of mandatory lockdowns, and this effort is related to a greater concern and awareness of their health. Further, health consciousness is responsible to stimulate overconsumption behavior. This chain of effects can be explained by individuals' interest in their wellbeing. Culture plays a role in these effects. People from individualistic countries (USA) compared to people from collectivistic countries (Ecuador) demonstrate greater motivation in maintaining their positive mood by showing greater health consciousness.

Ethnic Identity and Well-Being of Andean Indigenous People: The Effect of Individualistic and Collectivist Value Orientations.

The aim of this research was to evaluate the mediating effect of the value orientations of collectivism and individualism on the relationship between ethnic identity and well-being, the latter conceived from the worldview of Andean natives. For this purpose, under an observational and cross-sectional design, 395 Lickan-Antay adults (57% women) living in areas of indigenous development and in two cities in northern Chile were surveyed. We used the Lickan-Antay BLA32 well-being scale, a short version of the Portrait 21 Values Questionnaire to measure individualistic and collectivistic values, and an adapted version of the Ethnic Identity Scale. The results show that ethnic identity had a direct positive effect on all three dimensions of well-being (harmony with community life, ethnic harmony and harmony with nature), and total indirect effects on all five dimensions of well-being, one of them originating mainly from collectivist orientations. Individualistic orientations also showed a positive, though less intense, mediating effect on well-being. We conclude that collectivist and individualistic motivational patterns coexist in Lickan-Antay natives and explain an important part of the relationship between ethnic identity and well-being. Finally, we discuss our results and suggest replication of this study in other ethnic contexts to assess the generalizability of these findings to other native peoples of the Andean region of South America.

A mundaneidade do corpo: (re)pensar a cultura individualista e suas implicações para a gestalt-terapia / The mundaneity of the body: (re)thinking the individualistic culture and its implications for gestalt-therapy / La mundanalidad del cuerpo: (re) pensar la cultura individualista y sus implicaciones para la gestalt-terapia

Consolidadas na modernidade, com a emergência do individualismo, as dicotomias mente x corpo, pessoa x mundo, organismo x ambiente, indivíduo x cultura fazem parte de um mesmo processo que, como aponta o antropólogo Le Breton, anatomizou o homem, o separou de seu meio e dos outros e objetificou a natureza. Tanto a Gestalt-terapia quanto o filósofo Merleau-Ponty propõem uma compreensão do ser humano que busca superar essas dicotomias. Para Merleau-Ponty somos encarnação em um mundo, tecidos com ele, logo, está afirmada a mundaneidade do corpo. Para a Gestalt-terapia, tanto o corpo como a noção de campo organismo/ambiente apontam também para essa compreensão não-individualista do homem. O objetivo deste trabalho é partir dessas referências interdisciplinares, para reafirmar a condição não individualista da existência e aprofundar essa perspectiva na teoria da Gestalt-terapia.

Solidified in modernity, with the emergence of individualism, the dichotomies mind x body, person x world, organism x environment, subject x culture emerge from the same process that, as the anthropologist Le Breton points out, anatomized man, separated him from his environment and from others and objectified nature. Both Gestalt therapy and the philosopher Merleau-Ponty propose an understanding of the human being who seeks to overcome these dichotomies. For Merleau-Ponty we are incarnated in a world, woven with it, affirming the mundaneity of the body. For Gestalt therapy, both the body and the notion of organism/environment field also points to this non-individualistic understanding of human being. The objective of this work is, from these interdisciplinary references, to reaffirm the non-individualistic condition of existence and to deepen this perspective in Gestalt therapy theory.

Consolidadas en la modernidad, con la emergencia del individualismo, las dicotomías mente x cuerpo, persona x mundo, organismo x ambiente, individuo x cultura emergen de un mismo proceso que, como apunta el antropólogo Le Breton, anatomizó al hombre, lo separó de su medio y de los demás y objetivó la naturaleza. Tanto la Terapia Gestalt como el filósofo Merleau-Ponty proponen una comprensión del ser humano que busca superar esas dicotomías. Para Merleau-Ponty somos encarnación en un mundo, tejidos con él, luego, está afirmada la mundanidad del cuerpo. Para la Gestalt-terapia, tanto el cuerpo como la noción de campo organismo / ambiente apunta para esa comprensión no individualista del hombre. El objetivo de este trabajo es, pues, partir de esas referencias interdisciplinares, para reafirmar la condición no individualista de la existencia y profundizar esa perspectiva en la teoría de la Terapia Gestalt.

Self-Construal Differences in Chile and South Korea: A Brief Report.

Latin American and East Asian cultures are generally considered to be collectivistic cultures. However, there are very few cross-cultural studies contrasting these two cultures against each other, as most studies in this field compare them to Western culture. Self-construal is one of the most used constructs to explain cultural differences, elucidating whether individuals of a cultural group see themselves as independent of their environment and others, focusing on personal motivations, or interdependent of others and their context, recognizing their role within it. This study intends to compare the self-construal of Chileans and South Koreans and observe the variability in the presence of these dimensions in these two cultures. A total of 200 participants from Chile and South Korea responded to the Self-Construal Scale. Chileans presented significantly higher scores on independent and interdependent self-construal simultaneously when compared to South Koreans. Also, Chileans presented higher scores on independent self-construal than on interdependent self-construal, while Koreans did not show a preference for either dimension. These results are consistent with previous studies on Chileans, implying that not all Latin American countries would adhere to collectivism.

A questão identitária na pós-modernidade: autenticidade e individualismo em Charles Taylor / La question de l'identité dans la postmodernité: l'authenticité et l'individualisme chez Charles Taylor / La cuestión de la identidad en la posmodernidad: autenticidad e individualismo en Charles Taylor / The issue of identity in postmodernity: authenticity and individualism in Charles Taylor

Resumo Os fenômenos do esfacelamento das relações comunitárias e do isolamento crescente dos indivíduos uns em relação aos outros surgem de maneira expressiva no pensamento de diversos autores que se voltaram à descrição dos modos de vida da sociedade contemporânea. Retomamos a problematização do tema efetuada por Charles Taylor em As fontes do Self e em A ética da autenticidade. O autor identifica três "mal-estares" presentes na sociedade atual: o individualismo, o primado da razão instrumental e a alienação do indivíduo em relação à esfera política. Evitando uma leitura restritamente negativista de tais fenômenos, Taylor os apresenta como transformações das configurações dinâmicas que constituem os processos identitários modernos. Empreendemos um resgate das noções de identidade e autenticidade presentes nas obras supracitadas, visando uma compreensão sintética de tal cenário e das possibilidades apresentadas pelo autor de sua superação, ou seja, do resgate de sentidos perdidos pela fragmentação individualista.

Résumé Les phénomènes d'échec des relations communautaires et de l'isolement croissant des individus les uns envers aux autres apparaissent expressément dans les travaux de divers auteurs qui ont cherché à décrire les modes de vie de la société contemporaine. Nous reprenons cette discussion présentée par Charles Taylor dans Les sources du Moi et dans Le malaise de la modernité. L'auteur identifie trois « malaises ¼ présents dans la société moderne : l'individualisme, le primauté de la raison instrumentale et l'aliénation ede l'individu par rapport à la sphère politique. En évitant une lecture restrictive et négativiste de tels phénomènes, Taylor les présente comme des transformations des cadres dynamiques qui constituent les processus identitaires modernes. Nous entreprenons une étude des notions d'identité et d'authenticité présentes dans les œuvres mentionnés, afin de créer une compréhension synthétique d'un tel scénario, ainsi que des possibilités pour surmonter le problème, c'est-à-dire de récupérer les significations perdues par la fragmentation individualiste.

Resumen Los fenómenos del fracaso de las relaciones comunitarias y el aislamiento creciente de los individuos unos con otros surgen de manera expresiva en el pensamiento de diversos autores que trataron de describir los modos de vida de la sociedad contemporánea. Retomamos la problematización del tema efectuada por Charles Taylor en Fuentes del Yo y en La ética de la autenticidad. El autor identifica tres "malestares" presentes en la sociedad actual: el individualismo, el primado de la razón instrumental y la alienación del individuo en relación a la esfera política. Evitando una lectura restrictamente negativa de tales fenómenos, Taylor los presenta como transformaciones de las configuraciones dinámicas que constituyen los procesos identitarios modernos. Emprendemos un rescate de las nociones de identidad y autenticidad presentes en las citadas obras con el objetivo de hacer una comprensión sintética de tal escenario, así como de las posibilidades presentadas por el autor de su superación, es decir, del rescate de sentidos perdidos por la fragmentación individualista.

Abstract The collapsing of communitarian relations and the increasing isolation of individuals in relation to each other figure prominently in the studies of various authors who sought to describe contemporary ways of life. We address this issue as presented by Charles Taylor in Sources of the Self and in The ethics of authenticity. The author identifies three "malaises" that are present in modern society: individualism, the primacy of instrumental reason and the alienation of individuals from the political sphere. Proposing to avoid a restrictively negativist reading of such phenomena, Taylor presents them as transformations of the dynamic frameworks that constitute the modern identity. We undertook a study of the notions of identity and authenticity as presented in those books, aiming at a synthetic comprehension of this issue and investigating the possibilities of overcoming it, that is, of recovering the meanings lost by an individualist fragmentation.

Formas y contenidos. Experiencias de aprendizaje / Forms and contents. Learning experiences

El presente texto se refiere a una experiencia de enseñanza y aprendizaje desarrollada en la Facultad de Psicología de la UNC. Se presenta una aproximación al pensamiento de Ignacio Martín Baró, poniendo como ejes su consideración acerca de la Psicología, la Universidad, el Pueblo y la Psicología de la liberación. Los textos de Ignacio Martín-Baró son especialmente propicios para favorecer el posicionamiento teórico de los estudiantes. Posicionado desde un enfoque social y partiendo de la Teología de la Liberación, el autor pone de manifiesto las distintas relaciones de dominación existentes en nuestra sociedad, la cual se desarrolla y se nutre de un sistema ideológico y económico de corte capitalista, en el cual los conceptos de "comunidad", "revolución", "reflexión crítica", entre otros, se pierden bajo otros conceptos predominantes en dicho sistema, tales como "dominación", "individualismo", etc

This text refers to a teaching and learning experience developed at the Faculty of Psychology of the UNC. An approach to the thinking of Ignacio Martín-Baró is presented, focusing on his psychology, the University, the People and the Psychology of liberation. Ignacio Martín-Baró's texts are especially conducive to favor the theoretical positioning of students. Positioned from a social approach and based on the Theology of Liberation, the author highlights the different relations of domination existing in our society, which develops and is nourished by an ideological and economic system of capitalist cut, in which the concepts of "community", "revolution", "critical reflection", among others, are lost under other predominant concepts in such a system, such as "domination", "individualism", etc.

Rebound Effect, Fast Adaptation to Social Change or Cultural Continuity among Two Generations of Hungarians / Efecto de Rebote, Rápida Adaptación al Cambio Social o Contiuidad Cultural entre Dos Generaciones de Húngaros

Abstract The aim of the present research was to reveal what kind of values, self-conceptualisation and beliefs of personhood characterize two generations of Hungarians, almost three decades after the socio-political changes from socialism to capitalist market economy. Participants were high school students (N = 239) and adults (N = 122). Value-orientation was measured using the Portrait Value Questionnaire (PVQ, Schwartz et al., 2001), beliefs of personhood were measured by the Lay Contextualism Scale (Owe et al., 2013). Self-construals were measured in case of the high school students by using 23 items from Gudykunst et al. (1996) self-construal scale and in case of the adults a modified version of it (Owe et al., 2013). Results indicate that in the post-socialist Hungary, individualistic values and independent self-concept strongly characterize both the high school students and the adults, but the younger generation displays higher tendency towards individualism.

Resumen El objetivo del presente trabajo fue encontrar qué tipo de valores, auto-conceptuación y creencias de la persona caracterizan dos generaciones de húngaros, casi tres décadas después de los cambios sociopolíticos del socialismo al mercado económico capitalista. Los participantes fueron estudiantes universitarios (N=239) y adultos (N=122). La orientación hacia los valores fue evaluada utilizando el Cuestionario de Valores (PVQ, Portrait Value Questionnaire; Schwartz et al., 2001), las creencias sobre la persona fueron evaluados a través de la Escala de Contextualismo (Owe et al., 2013), las auto-definiciones fueron evaluadas utilizando los 23 reactivos de la escala de autodefinición de Gudykunst et al. (1996) para el caso de los estudiantes, y para los adultos se utilizó la versión modificada del instrumento de autodefinición (Owe et al., 2013). Los resultados indican que, en la Hungría post-socialista, los valores individualistas y un autoconcepto independiente caracterizan fuertemente a ambos grupos, aunque la generación más joven muestra mayor tendencia hacia el individualismo.

Dimensions of Self-Construal Associated with Self-Esteem and Depression: A Study among Mexican Students / Dimensiones de La Auto-Definición Asociadas a la Autoestima y Depresión: Un Estudio en Estudiantes Mexicanos

Abstract The relationship between dimensions of self-construal and reported mood states is examined among two samples of Mexican students. Scales focused on seven different aspects of self-construal were employed. Respondents favored predominantly individualistic ways of describing themselves, but also scored high on connection to others. These effects were particularly strong among respondents from Tijuana when compared with those from Mexico City. Depressive mood state was predicted by higher self-reported connection with others, commitment to others, receptiveness to influence and behavioral variability. High self-esteem was predicted by higher self-reported consistency, self-orientation, self-direction and expressiveness.

Resumen La relación entre las dimensiones de la autodefinición y los estados de ánimo auto-reportados fueron evaluados en dos muestras de estudiantes mexicanos. Las escalas que se emplearon se enfocaron en siete diferentes aspectos de la auto-definición. Las respuestas de los participantes favorecieron predominantemente maneras individualistas de describirse a sí mismos, aunque también puntuaron alto en mediciones de conexión con los demás. Estos efectos son particularmente fuertes en los participantes de Tijuana cuando se comparan con los de Ciudad de México. Estados de ánimo depresivos fueron predichos por altos niveles auto-reportados de conexión con otros, compromiso con otros, receptividad a la influencia, y variabilidad conductual. Alta autoestima fue predicha por alta consistencia auto-reportada, auto-orientación, auto-dirección y expresividad.

A psicanálise e o Um-dividualismo moderno / Psychoanalysis and modern One-dividualism / El psicoanálisis y el Un-individualismo moderno

Para tratar a relação da psicanálise com a modernidade e o individualismo, para indagar a possibilidade de nos servirmos do percurso do ensino de Lacan, que leva à existência e ao corpo, na discussão de questões políticas contemporâneas, começamos por um debate sobre a comunidade proposto pela Filosofia Política, com o qual interrogamos o "ser-em-comum" e o "nada-em-comum". Em seguida, encontramos Lacan e a tese de que "o inconsciente é a política". Com ela, passamos a nos servir do Discurso do Mestre para pensar o Um, o Significante-Mestre em posição de agente do laço social. A partir daí, o mestre contemporâneo nos mostra a dominação de questões econômicas e não apenas políticas. Enfim, uma formulação vinda da Sociologia, caracterizando como singleness a modernidade do século XVIII e como uniqueness a modernidade do século XIX, nos dará passagem para articularmos a tese lacaniana, "o inconsciente é a política", à existência e ao corpo.

In order to deal with the relation of psychoanalysis to modernity and individualism, in order to explore the possibility of using Lacan's teaching that leads to existence and the body in the discussion of contemporary political questions, we begin with a debate about the community proposed by Political Philosophy, with which we question the "being-in-common" and the "nothing-in-common". Then we find Lacan and the thesis that "the unconscious is politics". With it, we begin to use the Master's Speech to think the One, the Significant Master in the position of agent of the social bond. From there, the contemporary master shows us the domination of economic issues, not just political ones. In short, a formulation coming from Sociology, characterizing as singleness the modernity of the eighteenth century and as uniqueness the modernity of the nineteenth century, will give us passage to articulate the Lacanian thesis, "the unconscious is politics", to the existence and the body.

Para tratar la relación del psicoanálisis a la modernidad y al individualismo, para indagar la posibilidad de servirse del recorrido de la enseñanza de Lacan, que lleva a la existencia y al cuerpo, en la discusión de cuestiones políticas contemporáneas, comenzamos por un debate sobre la comunidad propuesto por la Filosofía Política, con lo cual interrogamos el "ser-en-común" y el "nada-en-común". A continuación, encontramos a Lacan y la tesis de que "el inconsciente es la política". Con ella, pasamos a servirnos del Discurso del Maestro para pensar el Uno, el Significante Maestro en posición de agente del lazo social. A partir de ahí, el maestro contemporáneo nos muestra la dominación de cuestiones económicas y no sólo políticas. En fin, una formulación venida de la Sociología, caracterizando como singleness la modernidad del siglo XVIII y como uniqueness la modernidad del siglo XIX, nos dará paso para articular la tesis lacaniana, "el inconsciente es la política", a la existencia y al cuerpo.

Identity and sociocultural change: Comparing young indigenous people in Chiapas who have different sociodemographic trajectories.

One of the most commonly used distinctions in cross-cultural studies is the one between individualism and collectivism. One of the criticisms levelled at this distinction is that it fails to incorporate the differences that may exist when comparing people from a rural context with little formal education to people from the same group who live in an urban context where formal education is the norm. Bearing in mind these sociodemographic factors, we have compared the self-concepts among 104 young indigenous people in Chiapas (Mexico), having divided them into three groups: "rural-traditional," "rural-urban" and "urban." These people's self-concepts were analysed using a task that contrasts personal self-concept with social self-concept and a technique in which participants draw themselves along with the things and people they consider most important to them. The results reveal significant differences between the three groups. The personal categories are given a higher value in the "urban" group while the social categories score higher in the "rural-traditional" group. Regarding the results of the indigenous self-portraits, from the content analysis of the drawings, 16 categories emerged. These findings are discussed in the light of Greenfield's theory of social change and human development.

El bien vivir: ¿cuidado de la salud o proyecto vital? Segunda parte / To live well: health care or life project? Part II

Resumen: El sentido de la vida, la razón profunda del anhelo de vivir y la motivación para actuar en consecuencia, es el antecedente del proyecto vital (PV). Se argumenta cómo la lucha por la dignidad es el verdadero derrotero de superación de la condición humana y el eje de PV que aspiran al bien vivir. El PV que se propone es una aventura cognitiva que trasciende el consumismo, el individualismo y la pasividad en la búsqueda de otro mundo hospitalario e incluyente, donde tenga viabilidad la superación espiritual, intelectual y moral de la dignidad humana. Este PV entraña: a) una necesidad primaria: vincularse con otras subjetividades afines; b) un núcleo: la lucha incesante por la dignidad sublimada; c) un desiderátum: el bien vivir de las mayorías y d) un propósito indeclinable: la edificación sobre otros basamentos éticos, políticos, jurídicos, cognitivos y ecológicos, de un mundo propicio para el bien vivir. Se arguye acerca de la superioridad de proyectos vitales altruistas en la consecución del bien vivir comunitario, sobre los afanes centrados en la preservación y el cuidado de la salud que favorecen el individualismo, la pasividad y el statu quo. La búsqueda del "bien morir" es el mejor ejemplo de la influencia benéfica de este tipo de proyectos en el cuidado de la salud.

Abstract: On the basis that life project as the driving force behind the life experience, the quest for human dignity is the way for true progress and the improvement of human condition. It's pointed out the need to be aware of the meaning of life understanding the motives behind our will to live that is the antecedent of life project. The proposed life project is a cognitive adventure, capable of transcending consumerism, individualism and passivity, toward the creation of a more inclusive world where the improvement spiritual, intellectual and moral can be viable. Said life project entails: a) A primary need: to link oneself with like-minded people that synergize against the prevailing order b) A core: The everlasting struggle for sublimated dignity c) A desideratum: The well-being of the majority d) An unavoidable purpose: The creation of a suitable world build on different ethical, political, lawful, cognitive and ecological foundations. In conclusion, this paper analyzes the influence of projects with an alternate proposal to the endeavors centered in healthcare that favor individualism, passivity and the current status quo. The best example of said alternate proposals is the commonly called "good death".

[To live well: health care or life project? Part II]. / El bien vivir: ¿cuidado de la salud o proyecto vital? Segunda parte.

On the basis that life project as the driving force behind the life experience, the quest for human dignity is the way for true progress and the improvement of human condition. It's pointed out the need to be aware of the meaning of life understanding the motives behind our will to live that is the antecedent of life project. The proposed life project is a cognitive adventure, capable of transcending consumerism, individualism and passivity, toward the creation of a more inclusive world where the improvement spiritual, intellectual and moral can be viable. Said life project entails: a) A primary need: to link oneself with like-minded people that synergize against the prevailing order b) A core: The everlasting struggle for sublimated dignity c) A desideratum: The well-being of the majority d) An unavoidable purpose: The creation of a suitable world build on different ethical, political, lawful, cognitive and ecological foundations. In conclusion, this paper analyzes the influence of projects with an alternate proposal to the endeavors centered in healthcare that favor individualism, passivity and the current status quo. The best example of said alternate proposals is the commonly called "good death".

Individualismo y colectivismo: caracterización y diferencias entre dos localidades mexicanas / Individualism and collectivism: Characterization and differences in two Mexican localities

Resumen El individualismo y el colectivismo se han considerado síndromes culturales dicotómicos que caracterizan a los miembros de un país y que pueden estar reflejados en la identidad nacional. Una cultura individualista está caracterizada por promover la independencia y la autonomía; por otro lado, una cultura colectivista promueve la interdependencia entre personas y su grupo, en estas culturas las necesidades del grupo se consideran más importantes que las del individuo. Sin embargo, las fronteras geopolíticas entre países no contemplan las diferencias históricas, las normas sociales y las prácticas y particularidades culturales entre localidades y países. Por ejemplo, entre la Ciudad de México y Guanajuato, localidades que en teoría cuentan con tendencias políticas antagónicas, Guanajuato se considera una región de México ultraconservadora, mientras que la Ciudad de México es conocida por la apertura a la discusión de temas como el aborto, la legalización del aborto y el matrimonio igualitario; la Ciudad de México se relaciona con una ideología política de izquierda. En un contexto conservador, es más común estar de acuerdo con ideologías tradicionales sobre los roles de hombres y mujeres. En este sentido, hombres y mujeres pueden internalizar diferenciadamente el individualismo y colectivismo. El objetivo de este trabajo es determinar las características del individualismo y colectivismo en dos regiones, así como entre hombres y mujeres. Participaron 420 hombres y mujeres del Valle de México y del estado de Guanajuato. Los resultados muestran que la muestra total presenta características del individualismo y colectivismo; se encontraron diferencias significativas en tres de diez factores por región. En todos estos, las medias son superiores a la media teórica. En Guanajuato los participantes mostraron mayores puntajes de Independencia y Libertad, pero al mismo tiempo reportaron niveles más altos de familismo relacionado con la obediencia. Se encontraron diferencias por sexo, las mujeres de Guanajuato mostraron mayores niveles de individualismo en comparación con los otros grupos. Los hallazgos son discutidos con base en la literatura pertinente. Para estudios subsecuentes es importante incluir variables como nivel de escolaridad, socioeconómico y actitudes respecto al grupo de referencia y de comparación.

Abstract Individualism and collectivism are considered dichotomous cultural syndromes that characterize members of a country and they can be reflected on national identity. An individualistic culture is characterized by promote independence and autonomy; by other hand, a collectivistic culture promotes interdependence between person and his/her reference group, in these cultures the group necessities are most important that the individual's ones. However, the geopolitical boundaries between countries not contemplate the differences between history, social norms and practices, or cultural particularities between localities and counties. For example between Mexico City and Guanajuato which have, in theory, antagonistic politic tendencies: Guanajuato is considered an ultraconservative region in Mexico, while Mexico City is known for the opening to discuss themes as abortion's legalization for free election or same-sex marriage; Mexico City is related with left political ideology. In a conservative context, is more common to be agree with traditional ideology about roles for men and women. In this way, men and women can internalized individualism and collectivisms different. The aim of this paper is determined characteristics of individualism and collectivism in two Mexican regions as well as in men and women. It was atended by 420 men and women of the Valley of Mexico and the state of Guanajuato. Results show that the Mexican population as a whole, shows characteristics of individualism and collectivism; there are significant differences on three of ten factors by region. In all of them, the mean is upper to theoretical mean. In Guanajuato, people show higher values of independence and freedom, but, at same time, they report high levels of familism related to obedience. About gender differences, the sample of women in Guanajuato shows higher levels of individualism in comparison with other groups. The findings are discussed on the relevant literature. For subsequent studies is important include variables as scholar level, socioeconomic level, and attitudes about their referential and comparison groups.

Individualism, life trajectories and plans of constituting a family / Individualismo, trajetórias de vida e projetos de constituir família

The present paper discusses the results of a research that had as its main purpose to analyze the life projects of individuals belonging to different generations within the last decades, with special emphasis on the role played by establishing a family in such projects. Speeches of 20 individuals (10 men and 10 women) from two generations were analyzed. The study pointed out that the profound contemporary sociocultural changes have led to increasing individualism in the relationships, and consequently have altered the way people engage in building their life courses. Two things have been occurring simultaneously. On the one hand, life courses are being individualized and previous standards are being broken, a phenomenon linked to the reduction of gender asymmetries and to the questioning of the institutions. On the other hand, the family model based on marital stability is being repelled. Due to the instability of love relationships, children are gaining importance in the structuring of the idea of a family.(AU)

Este trabalho discute resultados de uma pesquisa cujo propósito foi analisar os projetos de vida de indivíduos de diferentes gerações nas últimas décadas, atentando especialmente para o lugar que constituir uma família ocupa em seus planos. Foram analisados os discursos de 20 sujeitos de duas gerações, 10 homens e 10 mulheres. O estudo indicou que as intensas mudanças socioculturais contemporâneas levaram ao aprofundamento do individualismo nas relações e, consequentemente, à alteração nas formas de engajamento dos indivíduos na construção de suas trajetórias de vida. Vem ocorrendo, por um lado, a individualização e a despadronização das trajetórias de vida, associada à diminuição das assimetrias de gênero e ao questionamento de instituições; e, por outro lado, vem ocorrendo a desestruturação de um modelo de família baseado na estabilidade do casamento. Diante da instabilidade das relações amorosas, filhos passam a ter uma importância cada vez maior na estruturação da ideia de família.(AU)

Individualism, life trajectories and plans of constituting a family / Individualismo, trajetórias de vida e projetos de constituir família

The present paper discusses the results of a research that had as its main purpose to analyze the life projects of individuals belonging to different generations within the last decades, with special emphasis on the role played by establishing a family in such projects. Speeches of 20 individuals (10 men and 10 women) from two generations were analyzed. The study pointed out that the profound contemporary sociocultural changes have led to increasing individualism in the relationships, and consequently have altered the way people engage in building their life courses. Two things have been occurring simultaneously. On the one hand, life courses are being individualized and previous standards are being broken, a phenomenon linked to the reduction of gender asymmetries and to the questioning of the institutions. On the other hand, the family model based on marital stability is being repelled. Due to the instability of love relationships, children are gaining importance in the structuring of the idea of a family...

Este trabalho discute resultados de uma pesquisa cujo propósito foi analisar os projetos de vida de indivíduos de diferentes gerações nas últimas décadas, atentando especialmente para o lugar que constituir uma família ocupa em seus planos. Foram analisados os discursos de 20 sujeitos de duas gerações, 10 homens e 10 mulheres. O estudo indicou que as intensas mudanças socioculturais contemporâneas levaram ao aprofundamento do individualismo nas relações e, consequentemente, à alteração nas formas de engajamento dos indivíduos na construção de suas trajetórias de vida. Vem ocorrendo, por um lado, a individualização e a despadronização das trajetórias de vida, associada à diminuição das assimetrias de gênero e ao questionamento de instituições; e, por outro lado, vem ocorrendo a desestruturação de um modelo de família baseado na estabilidade do casamento. Diante da instabilidade das relações amorosas, filhos passam a ter uma importância cada vez maior na estruturação da ideia de família...

Toward Understanding Violence in Islam / Entendiendo la violencia en el Islam

In the context of reduced violence world-wide, as documented by Pinker (2011), Islam is an exception; i.e., it is more violent than other cultures. Can contemporary cultural psychology explain aspects of this difference? It is hypothesized that violence is more frequent in cultures that are vertical collectivist than in cultures that are horizontal individualist. The paper reviews data that are generally consistent with this hypothesis. Furthermore, most Muslims are not violent, but perhaps 1 percent do engage in jihad. What personality aspects might explain this difference? It is argued that self-deception is very common among humans and the jihadists are especially susceptible to self-deception. Religion provides important benefits but it is also often related to violence. One way to reduce aspects of Islamic violence is for the West to ridicule Islam less. The paper also provides Islam with a more realistic model of its religion.

En el contexto de reducción mundial de la violencia, tal como lo documenta Pinker (2011), el Islam es una excepción p.e., es más violento que otras culturas. ¿Es posible que la psicología cultural actual explique los aspectos de dicha diferencia? Se hipotetiza que la violencia es más frecuente en culturas que son colectivistas verticales que en culturas que son individualistas horizontales. Este trabajo revisa datos que son generalmente consistentes con la ya mencionada hipótesis. Además, la mayoría de los islámicos no son violentos, aunque tal vez el 1 por ciento de ellos sean partícipes del jihad. ¿Qué aspectos de la personalidad podrían explicar esta diferencia? Se argumenta que el auto-engaño es bastante común entre los seres humanos, y que los jihadas son especialmente susceptibles al auto-engaño. La religión provee beneficios importantes pero también es comúnmente asociada con la violencia. Una manera de reducir aspectos de la violencia islámica es que el oeste haga menos ridiculizaciones del Islam. Este trabajo también describe al Islam con un modelo más realista de su religión.

[Autonomy, Trust and Medical Ethics in Onora O'Neill's Work]. / Autonomía, confianza y ética médica en la obra de Onora O'Neill.

INTRODUCTION: Autonomy has become a key concept in bioethics. Onora O'neill is perhaps the most representative author and researcher in the philosophical and bioethical fields regrding the concept of autonomy. OBJECT: To review the concept of autonomy in Onora O'Neill's work so as to understand its relevance in current bioethics. METHOD: The concept of bioethics is reviewed in relation to three fundamental quesions: 1) Which are the main limitations of the individualistic conception of autonomy? 2) How to understand the relations between trust and autonomy together with their implications? and 3) Which are the implications of principled autonomy for aspects such as doctor-patient relationship and informed consent. The main works by O'Neill are reviewed, specifically regarding medical bioethics. RESULTS: O'neill's approach is original and relates Kantian autonomy to her own conceptions about trust, and both the individual and social levels of bioethics. CONCLUSIONS: The author has developed a Kantian non indvidualistic view of autonomy. Her conceptulization of trust and the crises this concept is currently undergoing complement and strengthen the concept of principled autonomy. The implications of O'Neill's concepts go beyond theoretical discussions and in her work she uses examples and analyzes circumstances which demonstrate the applicability of her proposals. O'Neill's work contributes to dealing with the challenges posed by the socio-political context of cost-efficiency oriented health systems and of the so-called defensive medicine.

Las dimensiones del apego y los síndromes culturales como determinantes de la expresión emocional / Cultural Syndromes and Attachment Dimensions Involved in Emotional Expression

Las reglas de expresión emocional son normas culturales que dictan el manejo y modificación de las manifestaciones emocionales y se asocian consistentemente con los síndromes culturales. Se propone que las reglas de expresión emocional también son afectadas por la seguridad del apego. A través de una plataforma de internet se administraron instrumentos de auto-reporte a un grupo de estudiantes de México y otro de Estados Unidos, encontrándose que la ansiedad y evitación del apego limitan la expresión de emociones positivas hacia los miembros del endogrupo, mientras que el colectivismo motiva la expresión de estas emociones. Además, la evitación del apego y el colectivismo limitan la expresión de emociones negativas hacia el endogrupo, mientras que el individualismo la favorece. El patrón general de resultados refleja que las dimensiones de ansiedad y evitación del apego afectan únicamente las reglas de expresión de emociones hacia los miembros del endogrupo.

Emotional display rules are cultural norms that dictate the management and modification of emotional disclosure depending on social circumstances. They are associated to cultural syndromes. We propose that display rules are also affected by attachment sense of security. Online questionnaires were administered to college students in both México and the United States, finding that attachment anxiety and avoidance constrain the expression of positive emotions toward in-groups members, whereas collectivism encourages emotional expression. Moreover, attachment-related avoidance and collectivism are associated with constrained expression of negative emotions toward in-group members, whereas individualism encourages their expression. The results suggest that attachment anxiety and avoidance affect emotional displays toward in-group members.

Solidão e pós-modernidade / Solitude and postmodernity

O autor investiga diferentes facetas da solidão na pós-modernidade, tal como expostas em cartoons, redes sociais de relacionamento, filmes e na literatura, e articula essas manifestações com achados da clínica. Discute o conceito do "sentimento de solidão" de M. Klein, centrado em torno do objeto primário materno, justapondo-o a uma interpretação pessoal da figura paterna como o determinante primário de todo o desamparo e sentimento de solidão.

The author investigates multiple faces of solitude in the postmodernity, such as exposed in cartoons, social network, films and literature, and try to articulate these manifestations with clinical developments. He discusses the concept of "feeling of solitude" in M. Klein, centered in the maternal object, and points to a personal interpretation of the parental image as the primary determinant of all helplessness and feeling of solitude.