Toward Greater Specificity in Cultural Value Analyses: The Interplay of Intrapersonal Communication Affect and Cultural Values in Japan, Thailand, and the United States

The Difference in Verbal Aggressiveness Between the United States and Thailand

“…If one is in an aggressive situation it is typical for those from higher context, more collective, more feminine, higher uncertainty avoidance cultures to be more non-confrontational or less aggressive. Scholars have confirmed this in other cultural settings (Chau & Gudykunst, 1987;McCann et al, 2010;Ting-Toomey et al, 1991). However, in this study, as with other studies directly comparing aggression between the United States and an Asian nation, the Asian nation was more aggressive.…”

“…Ting-Toomey (1985) asserted cultures that are higher context, more collectivistic, more feminine, and higher in uncertainty avoidance are more likely to use indirect approaches to conflict and aggression because conflict and aggression are seen as hostile. High-context approaches to situations are generally less stressful (McCann et al, 2010). It is best to avoid aggressive situations and if possible use third-party mediators.…”

“…Neff, Pisitsungkagarn, and Hsieh (2008) stated Thais are likely to take steps to be more self-compassionate than Americans by reducing ambiguity or uncertainty in conversations. Thais and Japanese are also more likely than Americans to ruminate over conflicts (McCann et al, 2010), which could lead to more aggressive behaviors. Ting-Toomey (1985) asserted cultures that are higher context, more collectivistic, more feminine, and higher in uncertainty avoidance are more likely to use indirect approaches to conflict and aggression because conflict and aggression are seen as hostile.…”

“…Thailand has a higher score (64). However, McCann, Honeycutt, and Keaton (2010) argued Thai culture is shifting, as many Thais disagree with accepted inequalities. Masculinity or femininity is the assertiveness assigned to males, and the modest caring role is assigned to females (Hofstede, 1980).…”

“…Specifically, scholars have called for further research on aggression in other Asian nations, aside from Korea and Japan (Fujihara, Kohyama, Andreu, & Ramiraz, 1999;Klopf & Park, 1992, Merkin, 2009. Moreover, scholars have called for more communication scholarship on Thailand (Komolsevin et al, 2010;McCann et al, 2010).…”