Authenticity: Conceptual Analysis and Relevance in the Indian Sociocultural Context

Abstract

This article attempts to understand the concept of psychological authenticity, identifies gaps in the literature, and emphasizes its significance in the Indian context. Studies on authenticity in global and Indian contexts were reviewed for this purpose and the multifacetedness of the concept was specifically highlighted. A comparison of Indian and Western accounts of authenticity shows that Indian researchers are more prescriptive while defining the authentic self than their Western counterparts, who have provided descriptive accounts of authenticity. Sociocultural factors impact authenticity, but whether they enrich or hinder authenticity across contexts is unclear. Factors such as fear of negative evaluation or the need for belongingness are expected to impact the expression of authenticity at the behavioral level in the unique sociocultural context of India. Considering context-specific factors, the process of becoming authentic is more central to understanding authenticity than perceiving it as an end state of being. This discussion shows that authenticity as a construct is yet to be adequately explored globally, as well as in the Indian sociocultural context. Future research on authenticity holds great promise in areas related to mental health and personality.