EMOTIONAL EXPRESSION IN JAPAN AND THE UNITED-STATES - THE NONMONOLITHIC NATURE OF INDIVIDUALISM AND COLLECTIVISM

In this study, the impact of individualism-collectivism at the cultura l and individual level on the expression of emotion in Japan and the U nited States was examined. Individualism-collectivism expectations at the cultural level were partially supported, and only weak effects of individualism-collectivism at the individual level were found. The dat a an consistent with socialization into individualistic and collectivi stic values as well as the lessening of these influences in U.S. and J apanese society. They support the idea that individualism-collectivism is not a comprehensive and precise dimension but rather a loose colle ction of many different cultural characteristics.