Title
Culture and stereotype communication : are people from Eastern cultures more stereotypical in communication?
Document Type
Journal article
Source Publication
Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology
Publication Date
4-1-2012
Volume
43
Issue
3
First Page
446
Last Page
463
Publisher
Sage Publications, Inc.
Keywords
cross-cultural differences, stereotype communication, cultural dynamics, cultural strategy
Abstract
This article presents an ecological approach to communication of stereotype-relevant information. We propose that communicating more stereotype-consistent (SC) and less stereotype-inconsistent (SI) information is a default strategy used by Easterners to fulfill their culturally installed goal—namely, to maintain harmonious relationships with others. And communicating informative information (both SC and SI information, and even more SI information) is a default strategy used by Westerners to fulfill their culturally installed goal—namely, to be accurate. When Easterners and Westerners were asked to communicate a firsthand stereotype-relevant story to a purported (Study 1) and a real (Study 2) communication partner without specifying a clear communication goal, they resorted to their cultural default strategy. However, when they were instructed to have a clear communication goal indicating the inappropriateness of the use of the default strategy, their communication pattern changed (Study 3). Results are discussed in terms of societal constraints of individualistic and collectivistic societies.
DOI
10.1177/0022022110395138
Print ISSN
00220221
E-ISSN
15525422
Publisher Statement
Copyright © The Author(s) 2012
Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.
Full-text Version
Publisher’s Version
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Yeung, V. W. L., & Kashima, Y. (2012). Culture and stereotype communication: Are people from eastern cultures more stereotypical in communication? Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 43(3), 446-463. doi: 10.1177/0022022110395138
