Premium
Relationship closeness and control as determinants of pleasant amae
Author(s) -
Niiya Yu,
Harihara Motoko
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
asian journal of social psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.5
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1467-839X
pISSN - 1367-2223
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-839x.2012.01371.x
Subject(s) - closeness , psychology , feeling , social psychology , association (psychology) , control (management) , psychotherapist , mathematical analysis , mathematics , management , economics
Japanese often find it pleasant when someone engages in amae , defined as an inappropriate request with the expectation of acceptance. Using a random sampling survey, we examined why Japanese adults feel good when a friend or an acquaintance engages in amae and when they, themselves, engage in amae . In both situations, positive attitude toward amae predicted more positive emotions. Relationship closeness and feeling of control mediated this association, and perceiving enough resources to grant the request did so only in the friend/acquaintance amae situation. Despite its inappropriateness, amae could be an effective way to seek help and express closeness with others.