A Theory of Interpersonal Relations for Cross Cultural Studies

Trust and National Character: Japanese Sense of Trust, Cross-National and Longitudinal Surveys

“…html/). Miyamoto (1986) and Miyamoto, Fugita, and Kashima (2002) develop a theory of interpersonal relation derived from G.H. Mead's approach.…”

Trust of Nations: Looking for More Universal Values for Interpersonal and International Relationships

“…His data showed some cross-national differences in the degree of correlation between people's sense of trust and their household income or subjective social class: Americans' sense of trust may be closely related to their economic conditions, whereas the Japanese sense of trust seems stable regardless of their economic condition, although the collapse of the life-long employment system and almost two decades of economic depression might make the Japanese sense of trust more sensitive to economic conditions. Derived from G. H. Mead's approach, Miyamoto, Fugita, and Kashima (2002) developed a theory of interpersonal relations based on balancing direct behavior and deep cognition to facilitate an understanding of the differences in character between Japanese and Americans. They indicated, for example, that the Japanese prefer delayed action and pay more attention to the perceptions of others, of themselves, and of the situation, whereas Americans favor direct action and pay more attention to their own views.…”

Interpersonal Style and Japanese American Organizational Involvement

“…As explained by Miyamoto et al (2002), the Japanese interpersonal orientation strongly stresses consensus seek ing or the avoidance of conflict. Related to this orientation, one of our survey questions asked whether respondents tended to talk less when they were with non-Japanese Americans than when they were with Japanese Americans.…”

“…Since one is less concerned about crafting a response that will create positive feelings, or at least avoid negative ones, in the other one can respond more rapidly. As extensively discussed in Miyamoto et al (2002), the Japanese style of interaction is characterized by its lack of spontaneity because of its strong emphasis on orienting to the perspectives and feelings of the other as contrasted with the self. Finally, if one does have a more Japanese style, conflict-avoiding interper sonal orientation, one should have a preference for belonging to and interacting in Japanese American groups that presumably exhibit these norms.…”

“…As discussed in Miyamoto et al (2002). the predisposition to form voluntary organizations among Japanese Americans appears to be traceable to culturally based perspectives about the nature of human relationships that the Issei im migrants brought with them from Japan.…”