Interdisciplinary Studies of Cross-Cultural Communication

1991 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary

• Project/Area Number: 01044050
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for international Scientific Research
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: Joint Research
• Research Institution: Tokyo University of Foreign Studies
• Principal Investigator: KONAMI Takashi Professor, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, 外国語学部, 教授 (10014424)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): CHAI Nam-Yearl Associate Professor Kennesaw State College, 人文・行動科学部, 準教授 ; FIRMENT Michael Assistant Professor Kennesaw State College, 人文・行動科学部, 助教授 ; WELCH Richard Associate Professor Kennesaw State College, 人文・行動科学部, 準教授 ; HILL Bill Professor Kennesaw State College, 人文・行動科学部, 教授 ; KEENE Tom Professor Kennesaw State College, 国際研究プログラム, 教授 ; UEMURA Kayoko Assistant Aoyama Gakuin University, 文学部, 助手 (70213395) ; SAITO Hiroko Assistant Professor Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, 外国語学部, 講師 (10205669) ; ASAO Kojiro Associate Professor Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, 外国語学部, 助教授 (40102462) ; TAJIMA Nobumoto Associate Professor Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, 外国語学部, 助教授 (90002295) ; WAKABAYASHI Shunsuke Professor Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, 外国語学部, 教授 (40042676) ; KUNIHIRO Masao , 参議院議員
• Project Period (FY): 1989 – 1991
• Keywords: intercultural communication / risk / social insensitivity / cognitive complexity / intelligence / classroom communication / commercial / mass media

Research Abstract

This purpose of this interdisciplinary project is to identify factors that facilitate as well as obstruct communication across cultures.
The media coverage study of "Tiananmen" expanded its scope by increasing the types of magazines to substantiate the comparative study. The news coverage about the recent development in Eastern Europe and the Persian Gulf has been partly incorporated in the study.
In the final stage of the Risk Perception Study, new factors have been, incorporated in the questionnaire. New versions of questionnaire incorporated factors such as "controllable/uncontrollable", "known to experts or not" in addition to the general perception of risks.
In the Social Insensitivity Survey, data were analyzed by factor analysis and the results were compared between Japan and the United States.
In the Intelligence Study, based upon the findings obtained in the preliminary research, final data have been collected from college students. Additional questionnaires have been developed to administer younger subjects.
Audio-visual data for twelve cases have been collected in the United States and Japan for the Classroom Interaction Study. In addition to the nonverbal behavior, verbal interaction has been analyzed.
In the Cognitive Complexity Study, new versions of questionnaire were prepared by incorporating items for categories and value judgment. Data collected in the United States and Japan were compared to identify similarities and differences of perception.
In the Persuasion Study of TV commercials, new data were collected in order to make comparative study more accurate.
Part of the research findings were presented at academic conferences in the United States. The preparation of the final report is in progress in consultation with the American team.