A cross-cultural comparison of privacy definitions and functions: A systems approach

As a further step in developing a systems model of privacy, variables invol ved in the process of achieving a condition of privacy were examined cross- culturally. Subjects were students from Ireland, Senegal and the United Sta tes. Striking commonalities were found in the reasons why subjects required privacy, the affect that was associated with a desire for privacy, the def inition of privacy as a condition of the person, the duration of the averag e privacy experience and the change in affect at the completion of the expe rience which supported the suggestion that privacy has a therapeutic effect . Within culture, variability was associated with age, gender and in the ca se of Senegal, with income. Between culture, variability was hardly noticea ble. The majority of the subjects in each culture believed that not being d isturbed was the most important element of privacy and grief, fatigue and n eed to focus were the main affective sets associated with seeking privacy. It is believed that several universals have been identified which may be us ed in later research, and that the study supports a systems-based model of privacy. (C) 1999 Academic Press.