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Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology
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Can I Make my Own Decision? A Cross-Cultural Study of Perceived Social Network Influence in Mate Selection

Shuangyue Zhang

Sam Houston State University, shaunzhang{at}shsu.edu

Susan L. Kline

The Ohio State University

Two studies examined the comparative influence of network members on one's intention to marry and relational commitment among 616 college students in both China and the United States. Compared with U.S. participants, Chinese students believed that their dating partners would meet their filial piety beliefs, that such beliefs were more important in their potential decision to marrying their dating partners, and that they were more likely to comply with network members regarding the decision to marry. Network influence predicted Chinese marital intentions and relationship commitment, whereas relationship length and beliefs about support, care, living a better life, and network influence predicted U.S. participants' marital intentions and/or relationship commitment.

Key Words: social network • romantic relationships • xiao (filial piety) • guanxi (network connection) • mate selection • China • individualism • collectivism

Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, Vol. 40, No. 1, 3-23 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/0022022108326192
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