This work is part of an investigation about the concept of human nature (Oerter et al., 1996). The investigation started in 1996 in West and East Germany as well as in Peru. A further investigation took place in 1998. The interviewed persons were between 18 and 25 years old. The researchers were Prof. Rolf Oerter and his co-workers in Germany and Peru (Oerter et al., 1999). The aim was to compare the concept of human nature in Germany and Peru. For my investigation, I analyzed parts of these interviews, which were done in 1996 with West and East German people as well as with campesinos/as, living in the Andes of Peru. I choose this topic, because for me it is very interesting to compare two different cultures with a different background, to find out, if there will be any common ground. The research questions are:
Are the levels of the structures about the concept of human nature universal? And:
Explain the substructures, which I developed, an increasing complexity about the concept of human nature?
The concept of human nature should be understood as a theoretical construction, which you can measure with a certain method, and this is an individual construction about a personal naive philosophy of human beings, which means to stimulate the implicit anthropology, an individual built up during his life span, where the background is defined by his meanings and actions. The five stages about the concept of human nature (Oerter, R., 1995), proved in former cross-cultural studies, which have already a theoretical background, will be explained later on and are fundamental for this work. Therefore, you need to know about the cognitive thinking of human beings, and how to measure this.
How to measure cognitive structures?
We consider the constructivistic approach for this investigation as an appropriate method. The investigation of the concept of human nature (Menschenbild) (Oerter, R. 1989) includes at the same time pre- and post-constructive activity of the researcher and interviewer, who introduce their knowledge, opinions and theoretical concepts. The results are general levels of the concept of human nature, some specific structures produced by the subjects, includes analytical categories, patterns, and figures of reasoning.
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
4. The structured approach by Oerter, including the five stages
The theoretical approach of the five levels of conceptualization of human nature was developed and tested in pilot studies. A manual categorizing statements of a broad range of subjects into these levels was developed as a result (Oerter, R., 1999). Furthermore, Table 1 (Levels of the concept of human nature) will give an overview about the five developmental stages. They follow a developmental logic in general, from stage I to IV. There is a distinction between three dimensions, which are increasing complexity, growing integration and a growth from the surface to the depth structure in describing the human being.
The five main levels plus a new one (III c) for the campesinos/as, living in the Andes of Peru, of implicit anthropology, which are used to investigate individual’s conceptions of the human nature will be described as followed. These stages are divided into four main dimensions: personality theory, social (environmental) theory, action theory, type of thinking.
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.
- Quote paper
- Petra Ursula Decker (Author), 1999, How to define the structure of relationship and action in the concept of human being in Germany and Peru - a cross-cultural study, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/29660
