2.) There are various different kinds of 'self' described in this chapter, for example in the Buddhist culture there is no individual self, only the collective group. This is quite different from the western idea of the self as an important special being which should be developed to its fullest. As a collective culture, every action goes towards better serving the group, not individuals.
3.) There are a couple of ways that the self is looked at by cultures, some look at them as independent concepts from a larger group, while others think of the whole group as the self. In cultures which believe in individualism there is a large support for people to develop into unique people. In collectivist groups, the self is looked down upon as evil, because it deviated from the collection of pieces of a whole.
4.) Erikson's ideas on identity are cross-culturally valid, because he has come up with a sequence of events which happen to person after adulthood. He looks at this period and outlines the changes which people in all cultures come through in their lives. He illustrated why age brings with it wisdom, and how people never stop developing who they are. This is valid anywhere that people live, it is human nature.
5.) There are several ways in which one can look at the concept of social clocks. They are important in some cultures, and not so important in other cultures. It appears through looking at the examples from the text that there is a social clock in every society, though what is important to that society is quite different to different cultures. It is obvious though, that all cultures wish to raise children, have babies, and have wedding ceremonies. All of these social events may occur, though at different times in the lifespan.