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Tightness‐Looseness Revisited: Some Preliminary Analyses in Japan and the United States
Author(s) -
Chan Darius K.S.,
Gelfand Michele J.,
Triandis Harry C.,
Tzeng Oliver
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
international journal of psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.75
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1464-066X
pISSN - 0020-7594
DOI - 10.1080/002075996401179
Subject(s) - conceptualization , construct (python library) , collectivism , psychology , dimension (graph theory) , set (abstract data type) , individualism , social psychology , hofstede's cultural dimensions theory , cognitive psychology , epistemology , artificial intelligence , computer science , political science , mathematics , philosophy , pure mathematics , law , programming language
The construct of tightness‐looseness is considered to be important in differentiating cultures (Pelto, 1968; Triandis, 1977, 1989). The objective of the present paper is to advance understanding of this construct. Specifically, we present a conceptual framework for the construct and formulate some general research hypotheses derived from our conceptualization. In addition, we examine one of our general hypotheses that cultures differing in the tight‐loose dimension will differ in the way language is used. Using a data set from Osgood, May, and Miron (1975), we compared the Japanese and the US samples of this study and found evidence supporting the hypothesis that Japan is a tighter culture, as compared to the USA. In addition to studying the construct of individualism‐collectivism, we suggest that tightness‐looseness is an important cultural dimension that can explain and predict cultural differences in many kinds of social behaviour.