Harmony, Hierarchy and Conservatism: A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Confucian Values in China, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan

Abstract

Abstract:This study examined 1631 college students' endorsement of traditional Confucian values in four East Asian cultural contexts (i.e., China, Korea, Japan and Taiwan). Findings showed that young people endorsed values of interpersonal harmony the most, followed by the relational hierarchy and traditional conservatism respectively. Results also indicated that participants in China provided the highest ratings for interpersonal harmony and relational hierarchy among the four cultures. Finally, results demonstrated that Japanese females were more conservative than Japanese males and females in China and Taiwan. Results were discussed in the philosophical tradition of Confucianism, globalization and culture change in the East Asian cultures. Text of paper:Harmony Zhang, Y. B., Lin, M.-C., . Harmony, Hierarchy and Conservatism: A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Confucian Values in China, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. Communication Research Report, 22,[107][108][109][110][111][112][113][114][115] http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00036810500130539, Open Access version: http://kuscholarworks.ku.edu/dspace/. The major interest of cross-cultural studies tends to focus on how cultures differed in the outcome variable (e.g., conflict management style) than in the input variable (i.e., cultural values).Cultural values are frequently treated as a post-hoc explanation to offer validation of the significant results on how cultures differed in the outcome variable (e.g., Lee & Rogan, 1991). While lumping countries together based on their geographical and/or cultural proximity is still a common approach in cross-cultural research (Cross, 1995), Bond (1996) 4 harmonious relationships with others, which are the precondition of social integration and stability, individuals should respect and follow tradition and social hierarchy (rules, status, and authorities) (Chinese Cultural Connection, 1987). These values reflect the core principles of Confucianism, which has influenced Chinese people's attitude toward life and served as standards and rules for social interaction (Bond, 1996).In the process of civilization, Confucianism has spread its influence to neighboring countries of Mainland China (e.g., Korea, Japan) for thousands of years (Chang, 1997). Deliberate effort to promote and maintain Confucianism is evident in these societies. Confucian principles are permeated in media, taught in schools, and praised by officials (Tu, 1996 5Asian societies or "mini-dragons" (e.g., Taiwan, Japan and Korea; Tu, 1996), hence has maintained more of its indigenous cultural values. Therefore, we proposed our second hypothesis:H2: Chinese young participants will endorse the Confucian values more than their counterparts in Japan, Korea and Taiwan.Confucianism emphasizes that things and persons should fall into proper places and order, so that they can relate to each other in a supportive and harmonious manner. One of the traditional social orders in relationships that Confucius specified is gender role with men having more status than women (Pek & Leong, ...

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