On Cultural Differences of Heroes: Evidence From Individualistic and Collectivistic Cultures

Abstract

Building on earlier research that examined the characteristics people associate with heroes, our research examined similarities and differences of the hero stereotype across cultures. Specifically, in Study 1 ( N = 209) and Study 2 ( N = 298), we investigated lay perceptions of heroes among participants from a collectivistic culture. In Study 3 ( N = 586), we examined whether group membership could be determined by participants’ centrality ratings of the combined set of hero features. In Study 4 ( N = 197), we tested whether the hero features that distinguish American and Chinese participants, when used to describe a target person, influence the impression that the target person is a hero. In Study 5 ( N = 158) and Study 6 ( N = 591), we investigated cultural differences in perceptions of different types of heroes (e.g., social, martial, civil) and the influence of individualism and collectivism on the perception of those heroes.

Officers and men and fallen heroes: The discursive construction of regimented masculinity in the Nigerian Army

“…It is in such events that the coding of hero is regimentally conceptualised. The coding of hero is often associated with maleness and masculinity across cultures (Aley and Hahn, 2020;Sun et al, 2023). Heroism is conceived in the social, civil, and martial dimensions, and is influenced by individual, schematic and collective perception of who leads through crisis to boost social cohesion (Bigazzi et al, 2021;Sun et al, 2023).…”

“…The coding of hero is often associated with maleness and masculinity across cultures (Aley and Hahn, 2020;Sun et al, 2023). Heroism is conceived in the social, civil, and martial dimensions, and is influenced by individual, schematic and collective perception of who leads through crisis to boost social cohesion (Bigazzi et al, 2021;Sun et al, 2023). Heroes are conventionally (male) social actors who show courage, determination, bravery, selflessness, inspiration and willingness to take risks in order to save orders (Sun et al, 2023).…”

“…Heroism is conceived in the social, civil, and martial dimensions, and is influenced by individual, schematic and collective perception of who leads through crisis to boost social cohesion (Bigazzi et al, 2021;Sun et al, 2023). Heroes are conventionally (male) social actors who show courage, determination, bravery, selflessness, inspiration and willingness to take risks in order to save orders (Sun et al, 2023). In Africa, the conceptualisation of hero is a male symbol and representation (Carrier and Nyamweru, 2016;Ericson, 2014).…”