Beyond the ‘East-West’ dichotomy: global variation in cultural models of selfhood

Markus and Kitayama’s (1991) theory of independent and interdependent self-construals had a major influence on social, personality, and developmental psychology by highlighting the role of culture in psychological processes. However, research has relied excessively on contrasts between North American and East Asian samples, and commonly used self-report measures of independence and interdependence frequently fail to show predicted cultural differences. We revisited the conceptualization and measurement of independent and interdependent self-construals in 2 large-scale multinational surveys, using improved methods for cross-cultural research. We developed (Study 1: N = 2924 students in 16 nations) and validated across cultures (Study 2: N = 7279 adults from 55 cultural groups in 33 nations) a new 7-dimensional model of self-reported ways of being independent or interdependent. Patterns of global variation support some of Markus and Kitayama’s predictions, but a simple contrast between independence and interdependence does not adequately capture the diverse models of selfhood that prevail in different world regions. Cultural groups emphasize different ways of being both independent and interdependent, depending on individualism-collectivism, national socioeconomic development, and religious heritage. Our 7-dimensional model will allow future researchers to test more accurately the implications of cultural models of selfhood for psychological processes in diverse ecocultural contexts

Apoptosis-inducing activity of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) seed oil in lung, colorectal and cervix cancer cells

WOS: 000516463300002Carthamus tinctorius L. (Safflower) has been often preferred because of rich fatty acid, flavonoid, alkaloid, and polysaccharide contents in its different parts in medicine and industrial area. Although its antioxidant, antienflamatuar, and antitumor properties have been proven in many studies, the mechanism underlying the anticancer activity is still more unclear. This study was first conducted to elucidate the apoptotic gene expression changes in human colorectal (CaCo-2), lung (A549), and cervix cancer (HeLa) cells after exposure to safflower seed oil (SFO). Cytotoxic activity of cancer cells was evaluated by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl2H-tetrazoliumbromide) assay and then, total RNA derived from cell lines to analyze the gene expression profile on Real-Time Ready Human Apoptosis Panel 96 was used. MTT results showed that SFO greatly inhibited A549, CaCo-2 and HeLa cell proliferation, with a value of IC50 of 1.26, 3.92 and 13.12 mu g/ml, respectively. According to the cDNA microarray analysis, 56 genes were interpreted in connection with extrinsic, intrinsic, PI3K/AKT, JAK/STAT, and NF kappa B pathways. SFO treatments triggered apoptosis through the caspase-dependently pathway along with upregulated the expressions of many pro-apoptotic genes in the extrinsic and intrinsic pathway in HeLa cells. However, in A549 and CaCo-2 cells, SFO treatments were inhibited cell survival mechanism through frequently caspase-independent genes following downregulated the expression of anti-apoptotic genes. It is noteworthy that although cancer cells have different sensitivity, SFO induced apoptosis through different pathways. Taken together, SFO, as a natural resource, has the potential to be used as a promising agent against cancer, especially in gene therapy level.Ege University BAP projectEge University [2013/FEN/051]The study is supported by Ege University BAP project (2013/FEN/051)

Culture and the distinctiveness motive: constructing identity in individualistic and collectivistic contexts

The motive to attain a distinctive identity is sometimes thought to be stronger in, or even specific to, those socialized into individualistic cultures. Using data from 4,751 participants in 21 cultural groups (18 nations and 3 regions), we tested this prediction against our alternative view that culture would moderate the ways in which people achieve feelings of distinctiveness, rather than influence the strength of their motivation to do so. We measured the distinctiveness motive using an indirect technique to avoid cultural response biases. Analyses showed that the distinctiveness motive was not weaker—and, if anything, was stronger—in more collectivistic nations. However, individualism–collectivism was found to moderate the ways in which feelings of distinctiveness were constructed: Distinctiveness was associated more closely with difference and separateness in more individualistic cultures and was associated more closely with social position in more collectivistic cultures. Multilevel analysis confirmed that it is the prevailing beliefs and values in an individual's context, rather than the individual's own beliefs and values, that account for these differences

Cultural Bases for Self-Evaluation: Seeing Oneself Positively in Different Cultural Contexts

Several theories propose that self-esteem, or positive self-regard, results from fulfilling the value priorities of one’s surrounding culture. Yet, surprisingly little evidence exists for this assertion, and theories differ about whether individuals must personally endorse the value priorities involved. We compared the influence of four bases for self-evaluation (controlling one’s life, doing one’s duty, benefitting others, achieving social status) among 4,852 adolescents across 20 cultural samples, using an implicit, within-person measurement technique to avoid cultural response biases. Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses showed that participants generally derived feelings of self-esteem from all four bases, but especially from those that were most consistent with the value priorities of others in their cultural context. Multilevel analyses confirmed that the bases of positive self-regard are sustained collectively: They are predictably moderated by culturally normative values but show little systematic variation with personally endorsed values

Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities with acute toxicity, cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of Cystoseira compressa (Esper) Gerloff & Nizamuddin from the coast of Urla (Izmir, Turkey)

WOS: 000347948200014PubMed ID: 24292649The aim of the study was to evaluate the biological activities with toxic properties of the methanol, hexane, and chloroform extracts of Cystoseira compressa (Esper) Gerloff & Nizamuddin from the Coast of Urla in the Aegean Sea. The extracts of C. compressa were tested for their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities in this study. Cytotoxic and mutagenic potentials of the extracts were also evaluated using cell culture and mutagenicity assays. Hexane extract was found to have higher total flavonoid and phenolic contents than the other extracts and exerted higher antioxidant activity than other extracts. All extracts exhibited moderate antimicrobial activity against tested microorganisms (minimum inhibitory concentration ranges are 32-256 mu g/mL). The results indicated that the extracts had no significant cytotoxic activity against human hepatocellular carcinoma Hep 3B cell line in all treated concentrations (5-50 mu g/mL) and did not show mutagenicity in the Ames test. Lethality was not observed among mice treated with oral doses of the extracts. In conclusion, results of investigations indicate that brown alga C. compressa is a natural source of antioxidant. It has moderate antimicrobial activities with no toxicity