A Theory of Interpersonal Relations for Cross Cultural Studies

Abstract

The problem of the Japanese American West Coast Survey was to determine whether the interpersonal style of Japanese Americans was influenced by their inheritance of Japanese interpersonal patterns, & also whether this style could account for their unusual proclivity for organizing voluntary associations. G. H. Mead's interpersonal theory was seen as particularly suitable for explaining the most prominent features of the Japanese interpersonal style - such as their delayed response tendency in interactions, low individuality, exceptional attentiveness to the attitudes of others, emphasis on consensus forming, & strong preference for group decision making & group action - & for showing how Japanese Americans could become socialized in this style & dispose them toward organizational activity. The utility of Mead's scheme as a basis for explaining Japanese behavior patterns was further assessed by examining its value in interpreting major findings about Japanese national character produced by the Instit of Statistical Mathematics in its 50-year study of the subject. We concluded that Mead's interpersonal theory offered a highly suitable basis for designing our study & for interpreting our collected observations. 1 Table, 55 References. Adapted from the source document.