How to define the structure of relationship and action in the concept of human being in Germany and Peru - a cross-cultural study

Table of Contents

Introduction

I. Theoretical models to explain development

1. Piaget’s theory

2. Kohlberg’s theory of moral development and his dilemma stories

3. The ‘Zone of proximal development’ (ZPD)

4. The structured approach by Oerter, including the five stages

5. Theoretical explanation to the interview

6. Culture and the self

6.1 Integrative model of universal stages and culture-specific patterns by Oerter

6.2 The self – an independent view (‘western view’) by Markus & Kitayama (1991)

II. Method

1. Hypotheses

2. Adulthood interview and the dilemma stories

3. Procedure

4. Sample

III. Results

1. Transformation of interview data about the ‘ideal person’ into relational structures

1.1 Characteristic structures for ‘ideal person’

1.2 Fig. 2 Substructures of the five characteristic structures of ‘ideal person’ in Germany 1996

1.3 Summary of ‘ideal person’

2. Responsibility: Transformation of the interview data into action structures

2.1 Characteristic structures for responsibility

2.2 Fig. 4 Substructures of the three characteristic structures of responsibility

2.3 Explanation for the graphics used to express Responsibility

3. Structure and statements from the campesinos/as for responsibility in 1996

3.1 Explanation for Fig. 5

3.2 Explanation for Fig. 6

3.3 Structures and statements from the campesinos/as for ‘ideal person’ in 1996, Fig. 7

IV. Summary and Conclusion

Objectives and Research Themes

This master thesis investigates the concept of human nature across different cultures, specifically comparing young adults from Germany and the Andes region of Peru. The research explores whether the structural levels of understanding human nature are universal or culturally dependent and examines how individuals develop complex substructures regarding their concept of the "ideal person" and personal responsibility.

• Cross-cultural comparison of self-concept between Germany and Peru.
• Theoretical foundations of developmental psychology (Piaget, Kohlberg, Vygotsky, Oerter).
• Methodological analysis of semi-structured interviews and dilemma stories.
• Development of relational and action structures to model implicit anthropological concepts.
• Investigation of collective versus independent identities in different social contexts.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

Introduction: Outlines the research scope, focusing on the cross-cultural investigation of the concept of human nature in Germany and Peru.

I. Theoretical models to explain development: Reviews fundamental psychological theories, including Piaget’s clinical method, Kohlberg’s moral development, and the Zone of Proximal Development.

II. Method: Describes the semi-structured interview process, the use of dilemma stories, and the criteria for selecting the sample populations.

III. Results: Details the transformation of interview data into relational and action structures, comparing responses from German subjects and Peruvian campesinos/as.

IV. Summary and Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings, confirming the universality of certain structural levels while acknowledging cultural variations in identity formation.

Keywords

Concept of human nature, cross-cultural study, developmental psychology, self-concept, ideal person, responsibility, relational structures, action structures, constructivism, collective identity, autonomous identity, Oerter, Piaget, Kohlberg, socialization.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core focus of this master thesis?

The study investigates how young adults in Germany and Peru construct their personal concept of "human nature" and how these conceptions are shaped by their respective cultural environments.

What are the primary thematic areas covered?

The thesis covers theoretical models of human development, the methodology of qualitative semi-structured interviews, and the comparative analysis of self-concept and moral responsibility.

What is the research goal?

The primary goal is to determine if the structural levels of understanding human nature are universal and to explain the complex substructures individuals build within these levels.

Which scientific methods are employed?

The author uses qualitative semi-structured interviews combined with dilemma stories (adapted from Kohlberg and Selman) and a structural analysis approach developed by Prof. Rolf Oerter.

What does the main body discuss?

It details the theoretical background, the procedural design of the study, and presents a comprehensive analysis of the interview results, including graphical representations of relational and action structures.

Which keywords characterize the work?

Key terms include Concept of human nature, cross-cultural study, developmental psychology, self-concept, responsibility, and collective/autonomous identity.

How does the study define the "ideal person"?

The "ideal person" is modeled as a relational structure that evolves through different developmental stages, ranging from simple actor-based concepts to complex societal and collective identities.

What role does the cultural background play for the Peruvian campesinos/as?

The study identifies a "collective identity" (Stage III c) specific to the campesinos/as, where individual actions are subordinated to the needs and preservation of the community, contrasting with more individualistic western views.