Presenter: Masaki Yuki (Hokkaido University)
Abstract: An abundance of evidence shows that people living in individualistic/independent cultures tend to engage in social relationships more proactively than those in collectivistic/interdependent cultures (e.g., levels of self-disclosure, intimacy, trust, cooperation, etc.). We propose that the socio-ecological factor of relational mobility is useful to explain these apparent paradoxes. Relationships are more fragile and competitive in individualistic societies (i.e., high relational mobility), making it necessary for individuals to behave more proactively to achieve and retain valuable interpersonal relationships. In contrast, such efforts are relatively unnecessary in collectivistic societies where relationships tend to be ascribed and fixed (i.e., low relational mobility). I will present the results of a series of cross-cultural studies, including our 39-country survey (Thomson, Yuki, et al., 2018, PNAS), which illustrate that higher relational mobility is associated with more proactive interpersonal behaviours in line with our theory. Overall, I emphasise the usefulness of applying socio-ecological and adaptationist perspectives to explain and predict variations in interpersonal psychology and behaviours across societies.
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