Cultural Differences In American Culture

Cultural difference in expression of emotions

Japan vs America

• Emotions are universal0phenomena, affected by several factors including culture. Some emotions show slight cultural0differences in the way they are experienced, the reactions they arouse and the way they are comprehended by the surrounding society. The components of emotions0are universal, but the patterns0are socially0constructed.

• How emotions0are experienced, expressed, perceived, and modulated differs as a function of culturally0normative behavior by the0surrounding society. Therefore, it can0be said that culture is a necessary0foundation for researchers to understand variations0in emotions.

• Different researches

"I feel joy", whereas Japanese reaction would reflect emotions between0their own self and others i.e. "I would like to share my0happiness with others."

• When identifying0faces, Eastern participants focused on the face around the nose and central area giving more importance to the eyes and the direction of gaze. Western participants, on the0other hand, detected facial expressions of emotions from the eyebrows0and the mouth region. Some of the differences seen in expression of emotions between Americans and Japanese are discussed below.

Americans express their emotions in an individualist manner because their culture is consider individualist, where a person only thinks about his own internal state while expressing his emotions. Japanese consider the connection of their self with surrounding while expressing their emotions.

• Americans consider themselves as an individual entity that’s separate from other but Japanese consider themselves as a part of huge group which connects their self with those around them.

• American culture is related0to high arousal level and expression of emotions, whereas Japanese culture is related to low arousal level and expression of emotions.

• In American culture, people try to influence others with their emotions and thus they tend to use high arousal emotions. In contrast, Japanese culture emphasizes on adjusting one’s self and complying with others is considered rational.

• High arousal emotions, mentioned in the article are anger, excitement, fear, joy, grief, frustration, distress, irritation and enthusiasm. And the low arousal emotions are calmness, peacefulness, sleepiness, contentment, sad, relaxed and gloomy. Japanese are more likely to use or express low arousal emotions and Americans are more likely to prefer high arousal