Social Psychology and Literary Texts: An Empirical Analysis of a Contemporary Indian Novel

Abstract

The aim of the article is to illustrate the contribution of research with literary tests to study Self1and social relationships. We briefly overview, first, different theoretical approaches using literature in social psychology, second, the analysis of Self and identity within the framework of social representations. This perspective considers literary texts—co-creations of their time—worth of study to test and expand social psychological knowledge. In the present research the importance of the individualism—collectivism dimension to understand social “worlds,” and of dynamic forces underlying social life is tested. After considering studies on Self and culture in the Indian context, a novel by Anita Desai—a recognized authoress, renowned in India and in the West—is analyzed. Content and correspondence analyses were performed to detect dimensions underlying the portrayed characters and relationships. The resulting structures partially support but also extend social psychological knowledge on Self and relationships.