Social and Psychological Aspects of Verbal Behavior in Japanese-Americans
FRANK A. JOHNSON M.D.1,
ANTHONY J. MARSELLA PH.D.2, , and
COLLEEN L. JOHNSON PH.D.3
1 Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Upstate Medical Center, State University of New York, 766 Irving Ave., Syracuse, New York 13210
2 Associate Professor, Department of Psychology and Social Science Research Institute, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Human Development. Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y.
The authors discuss the verbal behavior patterns of English-speaking Japanese-Americans living in Hawaii in terms of four cultural themes of Meiji-era Japan: 1) a strong sense of gender differences, 2) a concern for hierarchy and status, 3) an emphasis upon self-effacement, and 4) a focus on nonverbal communication. These behaviors may be misinterpreted by Caucasian Americans unfamiliar with the Japanese-American's culture of origin.
