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19 - Japanese Psychology and Intercultural Training

Presenting Wa in a Nomological Network

from Part III - Indigenous Psychology and Intercultural Training

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2020

By
David Dalsky  and
Jueyun Su
Edited by
Dan Landis  and
Dharm P. S. Bhawuk
Dan Landis
Affiliation:
University of Hawaii, Hilo
Dharm P. S. Bhawuk
Affiliation:
University of Hawaii, Manoa
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Summary

The usefulness of viewing a culture through the lenses of indigenous psychology keywords is the central premise of this chapter. The authors argue that understanding the essence of wa (和) – harmony – in the Japanese experience is vital. Without denying possible etic phenomenology, the chapter argues that several Japanese emic concepts connect with 和 in a nomological network: namely, amae (presumed indulgence), aimai (ambiguity), giri and on (obligation and duty), honne and tatemae (true feelings and overt behavior), and shūdan-ishiki (group consciousness). We conclude by suggesting the use of a folk psychology approach to intercultural training – positive goal-oriented intercultural dialogue leading to the intercultural understanding of indigenous psychology keywords.

Keywords

Japanese indigenous psychologywa (harmony)amae (presumed indulgence)aimai (ambiguity)giri and on (obligation and duty)honne and tatemae (true feelings and overt behavior)shūdan-ishiki (group consciousness)
Type
Chapter
Information
The Cambridge Handbook of Intercultural Training , pp. 584 - 598
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2020

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