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The Concept of Shinyuu in Japan: A Replication of and Comparison to Cole and Bradac’s Study on U.S. Friendship

The Pennsylvania State University exm238{at}psu.edu

L. David Ritchie

Portland State University

Using data collected from a total of 513 Japanese college students, this study explored relational satisfaction with shinyuu(best/close friends) in Japan and provided a crosscultural comparison to the series of studies conducted by Cole and Bradac (1996). Study 1 identified 39 words and phrases related to satisfaction with shinyuu.In Study 2, participants sorted these 39 words and phrases into groups. A multidimensional scaling analysis was used to identify three underlying dimensions: (1) light-hearted–solidarity versus serious–rational,(2) acceptance–reliability versus independent–positive,and (3) frank–supportive versus modest– selfcontrolled.These dimensions appear to align themselves on a continuum with interpersonal quality on one end and social quality on the other. Study 3 supported our interpretation of the first two dimensions and moderately supported the last dimension. Finally, Study 4 demonstrated that two of the dimensions are similar to dimensions identified in Cole and Bradac’s (1996) study. The third dimension, frank–supportive versus modest–self-controlled,was not found in Cole and Bradac’s study, whereas the first dimension of their study,spontaneous–active versus stable–passive,was not found in the Japanese data. These differences are discussed in terms of cultural differences in individualism–collectivism and uncertainty avoidance between the U.S. and Japan.

Key Words: cross-cultural • friendship • Japan • relational satisfaction

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, Vol. 20, No. 5, 579-598 (2003)
DOI: 10.1177/02654075030205001


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