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Cultural Differences and Similarities in Request Rejection

A Situational Approach

The University of Hong Kong, ceci-cheng{at}hku.hk

Woo Young Chun

University of Maryland, College Park

Using global measures, most studies have shown that Caucasian Americans were more assertive than Chinese. Adopting a situational approach, three studies were conducted to examine situational differences and similarities in request rejection, and its underlying mechanisms for Caucasian Americans and Chinese. Results revealed that (a) Caucasian Americans were more likely to reject requests of moderate legitimacy than Chinese; (b) both cultural groups were similar in request rejection in high- and low-legitimacy situations; (c) both cultural groups were more likely to reject a request when considering their needs and rights, but less likely to reject a request when considering their relationship with the requester; and (d) the self-model of request rejection was more salient for Caucasian Americans but the relational model of request rejection was more salient for Chinese in moderate-legitimacy situations.

Key Words: assertiveness • cross-cultural comparison • culture • social behavior

Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, Vol. 39, No. 6, 745-764 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/0022022108323808


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