Conference Presentations by Anya Hommadova Lu
This study explores mutual perceptions and biases of Japanese and Chinese nationals. Participants... more This study explores mutual perceptions and biases of Japanese and Chinese nationals. Participants (n=610) in each country were asked about: a) their opinions and attitudes, b) the average opinions and attitudes in their country and c) their assumptions of the opinions of nationals of the other country. The results indicate individual self-reported perception was positively correlated with assumed group perception in both the Japanese and Chinese sample populations, demonstrating a false consensus effect. The results further suggest significant construal differences, with Japanese overestimating the negative portrayal of Japan in China and Chinese underestimating the negative image of China in Japan. Both Japanese and Chinese respondents reported being exposed to predominantly negative input about each other`s countries. One of the biggest misperceptions of both groups was the assumption that they are viewed as peaceful, and in a hypothetical scenario task, there was a higher level of confidence in the validity of scenarios in which the other was construed negatively. Overall, the results of the analyses show a general inadequacy to take the perspective of the other. An increased awareness of biases may improve communication and diffuse potential conflicts. As tensions have escalated, improving Sino-Japanese relations is imperative for continued international stability. Introduction In 2014, Sino-Japanese relations reached a critical level since the joint communiqué was signed in 1972. In Japan, over 90% of the population harbor negative feelings toward China (The 10th Japan-China Public Opinion Poll, 2014), which is a drastic change from 40 years ago when over 70% of the population felt an affinity toward China (Feelings of closeness to China, 2013). Moreover, in 2013, over 90% of the Chinese population felt negatively toward Japan, the main cause being military conflict in the past and the lack of remorse (The 9th Japan-China Public Opinion Poll, 2013). Current mutual acrimony is demonstrated not only in survey responses, but also through protests, destruction of property and mutual criticism on the internet (He, 2007). However, biases and construal differences are less visible than mass protests or even directly reported opinions. They act as an invisible and subtle force that pressures people from within and shape attitudes and behavior. In particular, the concept of construal can play a role of the self-fulfilling prophecy, when the negative expectation one side has of the other might come true based on expectations and not reality. This research focuses on measuring and identifying biases and misperceptions of both populations toward each other, and pertains to cross-cultural comparisons between the differences in the deviations from rationality in the consciousness of Japanese and Chinese populace. Going beyond the mutual attitudes, this study explores the amount of negative and positive information they report being exposed to, and their perceptions about each other. Negative information or attributes have more weight when people make judgments,
Papers by Anya Hommadova Lu
This study aims to identify and analyze the current images of East Asia, namely, Japan, China and... more This study aims to identify and analyze the current images of East Asia, namely, Japan, China and South Korea, among American people. Although historically Japan was perceived as a ‘threat’ after the end of World War II, today’s image of Japan has changed. The BBC World Service survey (2012) ranked Japan as number one in having a “mainly positive influence” in comparison to 17 other nations. To further explore American attitudes to Japan and other East Asian countries, we conducted an online survey using a SurveyMonkey panel in 2013 (N=827). Results indicate that Japan is perceived most favorably among Asian countries. China’s threat is perceived most strongly for military and economic threats. Males more strongly perceive China’s threat than females, while females more strongly perceive Japan and South Korea’s threat than males. With regard to Japan’s whale and dolphin hunting, results demonstrate that while Americans are divided in their opinions about whaling, they have considera...
There is a growing population of international students in the U.S. and although previously only ... more There is a growing population of international students in the U.S. and although previously only elite or scholastically advanced students were able to study abroad, this experience is now becoming more accessible to a more diverse population. As this new demographic grows, questions arise on how to make the experience for international students in the U.S. more positive and less stressful. Asian students make up the largest demographic of students studying in U.S., and though there is a plethora of literature on Asian students studying in major cities in U.S., researchers have somewhat neglected the experiences of students in rural areas. This study looks at the process of cultural adjustment through ethnographic inquiry, exploring the process of adaptation through five phases of adjustment. Utilizing an ethnographic approach, one year of fieldwork was undertaken at a small-sized university in the rural U.S. The researcher examined the lives of 38 students from East Asia through observations, interviews, open-ended surveys, and other means. The students' interactions with the local population are analyzed using the Interpersonal Adaptation Theory. Practical suggestions were made based on the students' experiences and reflections on possible ways for sojourners to not only adjust, but to integrate into the local culture.
This study explores the experiences of exchange and international Japanese students studying in a... more This study explores the experiences of exchange and international Japanese students studying in a rural American university. Inquiry is made into the challenges, emotional turmoil and deviation from expectation of Japanese students through open-ended surveys and semi-formal interviews. The results suggest the two biggest challenges the Japanese students face are academic ability and lack of deep positive interactions with American students. Students indicate a deviation from the expected friendliness and interest in them from American students. We argue that these problems and the problems of Japanese students studying abroad are deeply rooted in the internal processes and general attitudes of modern Japanese youth. We explore the differences in self-perception of American and Japanese students and suggest the Japanese students adjustment challenges could be effectively abated through academic preparation in general education while in Japan and by joining extracurricular activities once in the U.S. We conclude this paper by providing suggestions from the keys to success from similar programs and improving the experiences of Japanese students studying at universities in U.S
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Conference Presentations by Anya Hommadova Lu
Papers by Anya Hommadova Lu