Study: Americans Don't Understand Others (MEGA HURL!)

LiveScience.com via Yahoo ^ | 7/17/2007 | Corey Binns

[PreciousLiberty]

Rugged American individualism could hinder our ability to understand other peoples' point of view, a new study suggests.

And in contrast, the researchers found that Chinese are more skilled at understanding other people's perspectives, possibly because they live in a more "collectivist" society.

"This cultural difference affects the way we communicate," said study co-author and cognitive psychologist Boaz Keysar of the University of Chicago.

The study, though oversimplified compared to real life, was instructive. Keysar and his colleagues arranged two blocks on a table so participants could see both. However, a piece of cardboard obstructed the view of one block so a "director," sitting across from the participant, could only see one block.

When the director asked 20 American participants (none of Asian descent) to move a block, most were confused as to which block to move and did not take into account the director's perspective. Even though they could have deduced that, from the director's seat, only one block was on the table.

Most of the 20 Chinese participants, however, were not confused by the hidden block and knew exactly which block the director was referring to. While following directions was relatively simple for the Chinese, it took Americans twice as long to move a block.

"That strong, egocentric communication of Westerners was nonexistent when we looked at Chinese," Keysar said. "The Chinese were very much able to put themselves in the shoes of another when they were communicating."

The results are detailed in the July issue of the journal Psychological Science.

Collectivist societies, such as the Chinese, place more value on the needs of the group and less on the autonomy of the individual. In these societies, understanding other peoples' experiences is a more critical social skill than it is among typically more individualist Americans.

[Steve_Seattle]

Regarding diversity, Leftists want to have it both ways, i.e., all groups are different and have unique perspectives, hence the need for diversity; but, if you claim - in an unguarded moment or in the wrong context - that some groups really are different, you are called a racist or a bigot. So the diversity crowd insists that different groups aren't really different, but are really different. Got it?

By the way, as an aside, on a bus the other day, I sat near two young black men, who between them must have used the "N" word 50 times in a 30 minute bus ride.

[Hacklehead]

My response to the study’s author would be “Kiss my @zz pencil-neck.”

[Altura Ct.]

Regarding diversity -

“Diversity” The biggest crock of crap that has ever been sold to the American people.

[Lou L]

Rugged American individualism could hinder our ability to understand other peoples' point of view, a new study suggests

Why is the onus always on the U.S. to understand? Why isn't the question, "why can't other societies understand us?"

[Beckwith]

Awright, all you puzzies raise your hands — that means you Corey, you commie stooge.

[IronJack]

So the diversity crowd insists that different groups aren't really different, but are really different. Got it?

I ... think so. Is it like Strong is Weak, Right is Wrong, and Arbeit Macht Frei?

[KC Burke]

I know we don't develop the finer points of understanding. I will agree and admit that.

Generally it is because we are multi-tasking. We generally show up in another country and while we are unloading relief supplies and weaponry to save that nation, we say, "Okay, you have ten minutes to explain how you got your sorry asses into this mess, and then I have to get busy saving your country so I can go home."

That multi-tasking can make you less understanding and an utter failure at the nuances of historical niceties and culture.

[Steve_Seattle]

"Most of the 20 Chinese participants, however, were not confused by the hidden block and knew exactly which block the director was referring to."

They should have been confused. There were two blocks, not one, regardless of the director's perspective. To pick the block that the director presumably intended, one would have to make several assumptions, none of which are necessarily true:

1. That the director was unaware of the hidden block.
2. That it made no difference which block was chosen.
or
3. That it DID make a difference which block was chosen.
4. That the director intended you to pick the block that was visible to him at the moment.
5. That a verbal instruction to perform an action requires that the object of the action be present or visible.

The so-called "rugged individualism" or "egocentric" perspective of the Americans could just as easily be characterized as cautious, pro-active, or considerate. If the reaction were truly egocentric, the subjects would not even CARE what the director intended.

[khnyny]

“Rugged individualism” can translate into many things, one of which is creativity and entrepreneurship. Did you know that Chinese patent law didn’t even begin to exist until 1984, and still is pretty much worthless? The US patent system was created under an order signed by George Washington around 1790, shortly after our government was formed.

The article sounds like a weak attempt to show the liberal superiority of collectivism and also moral relativism.

[weegee]

Don’t be surprised. Yahoo News elevates “popular” articles and supresses the “unpopular” ones based on a 5 point voting scale.

One guess at which political party manipulates the rankings by DUping the public.

[Rummenigge]

America is taking quite drastical actions nowadays - people are not acquanted to that.

At the end the equation is as follows:

If your soldiers manage to secure Iraq the US foreign policy will be top of the pops.

If not ... oh well you’ve seen nothing yet.

[the OlLine Rebel]

The America-bashing in America is as old as I am. It did NOT start with “Iraq”. Half the “Americans” hate America. It’s just the truth. It’s even in our schools; I know: I grew up with it. And it is illogical, no matter how much they try to say it’s sensible.