A model for the prediction of behavior from attitudinal components, developed by Triandis, was tested with samples of U.S. and Mexican women, and with fertility relevant behaviors. The elements of the model are etic, but the operationalizations of the various variables were done emically. Results support the model in both cultures. While the predictive utility of the model is equivalent in two cultures, there are social class differences on which component of the model is most emphasized. The U.S. upper-middle-class sample and the Mexican upper-middle-class sample emphasized the person's attitude toward the act, while the Mexican lower SES (socio-economic status) sample emphasized the person's normative beliefs (moral obligations).Pike (1966) has contrasted two approaches to the study of cultural phenomena. The "emic" approach attempts to describe items of behavior occurring in a particular culture utilizing only concepts employed in that culture. The "etic" approach attempts to describe behavior using external criteria imposed by the researcher. A researcher adopting an emic approach may obtain a very accurate within culture description but, by definition, he cannot do cross-cultural research. One who adopts an etic methodology imposes universal categories on his data and can, therefore, make cross-

The universality-not the scientific character of psychology-is challenged by data suggesting the need for a sociocultural psychology of personality. Specific factorial scales of Mexican, natural language, sociocultural premises are found to be meaningfully associated, at three different ages, with a number of reliable measures of psychological dimensions. A national, local-belief-based, clinical understanding of the Mexican youth on the basis of intra-and cross-cultural studies is illustrated. From the evidence, it is proposed that culture, as defined, can account for significant variance of bona fide psychological and other behavioral science dimensions, and there is a basis to speak about sociocultural psychologies, such as a Mexican psychology. The disclosure is made in the context of the trials of the author to understand the Mexican personality and society.Requests for reprints should be sent to Rogelio Diaz-

The author reviews theoretical background, and the methodological basis of cross-cultural studies on American and Mexican children regarding development of coping style. He concludes that there is enough evidence to take seriously the existence of culture-typed coping styles.

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