A community of persons in China: A phenomenological study of self-concept and communication in a sociocentric group culture

The study uses the human science, qualitative methodology of phenomenology (description, reduction, and interpretation) to explicate (eidetic and empirical perspectives) the concept of person within the context of intercultural communication. A comparison is made between Egocentric Culture (e.g., the USA) and Sociocentric Culture (e.g., the People's Republic of China). The model of Alfred Schutz's social phenomenology is used wherein "individual identity" and "group identity" are distinguished as between egocentric and sociocentric cultures. The research demonstrates that within an Egocentric Culture, (1) individual identity is exemplified by Schutz's category of "Associates" in the Lebenswelt (Lifeworld) of the "Individual", and (2) group identity is exemplified by the "Contemporaries" category in the Gesellschaft (Peers; Society) of the cultural "Members" (coordination of aggregate Selves). In addition, the study demonstrates that within a Sociocentric Culture, (3) individual identity is exemplified by the Schutz categories of "Predecessors/Successors" in the Weltanschauung (Worldview) of the "Person (Subject)", and (4) group identity is exemplified by "Consociates" in the Gemeinschaft (Kin and Kith; Clan; Caste) of the "Community" (integration of communal Selves). The communicative distinction and definition of "Associates" and "Consociates" (conflated by Schutz) is a major finding of this study.;The study consists of five chapters: (1) Self and Person in a Sociocentric Culture; A Conation Model of Culture: The Binary Analogue Logic of Communication Theory; (2) Methodology: A Semiotic Phenomenological Approach to Intercultural Communication; Phenomenological Description: The Self Concept of Predecessors, Consociates, Contemporaries, and Successors; (3) The Description of Predecessors; Consociates: A Westerner's View of the Chinese Person; Contemporaries: "Ideal Types" Seen Through the Media; Successors: Self and Cultural Symbols; (4) Reduction: Time Represented by Predecessors; Ruesch and Bateson: Time-binding and Space-binding; Traditional Chinese Culture as Time-binding; Cultural Movement Towards Space-binding; (5) Interpretation: The Group as the Communication Medium of the Person; Contradictory Needs for Stability and Change in Egocentric and Sociocentric Cultures; The Conjunction of Egocentric and Sociocentric Values.