Toward a social psychology of globalization
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors address the questions of how people make sense of and respond to globalization and its sociocultural ramifications; how people defend the integrity of their heritage cultural identities against the "culturally erosive" effects of globalization, and how individuals harness creative insights from their interactions with global cultures.
Abstract: In most parts of the world, globalization has become an unstoppable and potent force that impacts everyday life and international relations. The articles in this issue draw on theoretical insights from diverse perspectives (clinical psychology, consumer research, organizational behavior, political psychology, and cultural psychology) to offer nuanced understanding of individuals’ psychological reactions to globalization in different parts of the world (Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Mainland China, Singapore, Switzerland, United States, Taiwan). These articles address the questions of how people make sense of and respond to globalization and its sociocultural ramifications; how people defend the integrity of their heritage cultural identities against the “culturally erosive” effects of globalization, and how individuals harness creative insights from their interactions with global cultures. The new theoretical insights and revealing empirical analyses presented in this issue set the stage for an emergent interdisciplinary inquiry into the psychology of globalization.
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TL;DR: This paper examined the relationship between endorsement of polyculturalism (belief system focusing on historical and current interactions, influences, and connections among different racial/ethnic groups) and cross-cultural attitudes.
40 citations
TL;DR: The authors discuss the critical role that psychological theory plays in understanding reactions to globalization, and in turn, how globalization research provides a new context that challenges, refines, and extends psychological theory.
Abstract: A psychological perspective has been largely absent in the multidisciplinary discourse surrounding globalization. In this commentary, we highlight the unique contributions that the articles in this special issue have made in advancing a new psychological science of globalization. We discuss the critical role that psychological theory plays in understanding reactions to globalization, and in turn, how globalization research provides a new context that challenges, refines, and extends psychological theory. We offer suggestions as to how psychology can take an active role in the future of globalization research, in particular in specifying the psychological dimensions on which globalization is construed (e.g., morality, power) and the implications these construals have for reactions to globalization. Building on research discussed in this special issue on psychological dynamics involved in responses to globalization, we offer some observations on factors that might play a role in positive and negative reactions to globalization. Contributors to this volume have collectively paved the way for a new frontier
40 citations
Cites background from "Toward a social psychology of globa..."
...For example, consistent with a long tradition of research on social categorization, the articles show that globalization can trigger an “us versus them” negative mentality when people view the juxtaposition of highly iconic representations of different groups (Chiu et al., 2011; Tong et al., 2011)....
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...…when one strongly identifies with one’s own culture or when one faces existential threats (e.g., mortality salience), it can be reduced when the perceiver is motivated to engage in thoughtful elaboration about cultural complexities (Chiu et al., 2011; Cheng et al., 2011; Torelli et al., 2011)....
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...As well, the conditions under which “cultural mixing” (Chiu et al., 2011; Morris et al., 2011; Torelli et al., 2011) violates fundamental moral and sacred values has important implications for exclusionary reactions, and in the extreme, for conflict and the support for violence (Ginges, Atran,…...
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...…one’s exposure to multiple cultures and can result in heightened perspective taking—and opening of the cultural mind—and associated positive consequences such as creativity (Chiu et al., 2011; Cheng, et al., 2011; Leung & Chiu, 2010; Maddux & Galinsky, 2009; Maddux, Leung, Chiu, & Galinsky, 2009)....
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...…narratives and other cultural products that have been passed down, assess the degree to which their societies have more or less power or status, and what implication does this have for their reactions to cultural mixing and ultimately exclusionary or inclusionary processes (Chiu et al., 2011)?...
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TL;DR: This article argued that East Asian (and especially Chinese) societies are anchored in an indigenous form of hierarchical relationalism where social structure is produced by relational obligations of an ethical and normative nature that have slowed its traditional culture “melting into air” as prophesied by Marx.
Abstract: Globalization has changed almost every facet of life for people around the world, and today the flow of influence is no longer uni-directional. It is argued that East Asian (and especially Chinese) societies are anchored in an indigenous form of hierarchical relationalism where social structure is produced by relational obligations of an ethical and normative nature that have slowed its traditional culture “melting into air” as prophesied by Marx. The successfully modernization of East Asia has involved hybridization, compartmentalization, and sequencing of traditional psychological features of Confucianist societies such as delay of gratification and respect for education, paternalistic leadership, filial piety, and beliefs in harmony or benevolence. Features of hierarchical relationalism are adaptable to creating niches for East Asian societies that thrive under globalization as characterized by the paradoxical coupling of economic inequality in fact with discourses of equality in principle. Moral, ethical demands for enlightened leadership constrain East Asian elites to at least attempt to protect subordinates and protect societal (rather than merely individual or familial) well-being. A fundamental contribution of East Asia to global society may be in the articulation of how to ameliorate economic inequality using Confucian principles of hierarchical relationalism.
39 citations
TL;DR: This paper carried out two cross-regional studies to examine lay people's perception of globalization and its related concepts, as well as lay people appraisal of the social impacts of globalization, and found that participants in all four regions (the United States, Mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong) perceived globalization to be related to but not synonymous with modernization, Westernization, and Americanization; they used international trade versus technology, and globalization of consumption versus global consequences as the dimensions to categorize globalization-related issues; and perceived globalization had stronger positive effects on people's competence than on
Abstract: As a first step to establish social psychology of globalization as a new area of investigation, we carried out two cross-regional studies to examine lay people's perception of globalization and its related concepts, as well as lay people's appraisal of the social impacts of globalization. The participants were undergraduates from regions with markedly different experiences with globalization (the United States, Mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong). Despite regional differences in experiences with globalization, cross-regional similarities were found in the way globalization-related issues were classified and how their social impacts were evaluated. Participants in all four regions (1) perceived globalization to be related to but not synonymous with modernization, Westernization, and Americanization; (2) used international trade versus technology, and globalization of consumption versus global consequences as the dimensions to categorize globalization-related issues; and (3) perceived globalization to have stronger positive effects on people's competence than on their warmth.
37 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a yearlong ethnographic study of India's international call centers in 2004-2005 was conducted to examine how global integrations are felt, experienced, negotiated, and embodied by call center agents.
Abstract: Most accounts of globalization are accounts of economic integration and cultural flows. There are few studies, however, of the ways global processes enter into an individual's personality. Based on a yearlong ethnographic study of India's international call centers in 2004–2005, this article examines how global integrations are felt, experienced, negotiated, and embodied by call center agents. Reformulating the thesis of system and lifeworld, this study aims to examine the globalization of the lifeworld, uncovering the effects of global system integration on the lifeworld. As sites of real-time communicative integration across continents, India's call centers are revealing of the ways in which concrete social and personal lives are subordinated to global system imperatives, integrating in real time two different linguistic worlds in radically different time zones.
34 citations
References
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Book•
01 Jan 1996
TL;DR: Based on the author's seminal article in "Foreign Affairs", Samuel P. Huntington's "The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order" is a provocative and prescient analysis of the state of world politics after the fall of communism.
Abstract: Based on the author's seminal article in "Foreign Affairs", Samuel P. Huntington's "The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order" is a provocative and prescient analysis of the state of world politics after the fall of communism. In this incisive work, the renowned political scientist explains how "civilizations" have replaced nations and ideologies as the driving force in global politics today and offers a brilliant analysis of the current climate and future possibilities of our world's volatile political culture.
6,359 citations
"Toward a social psychology of globa..." refers background in this paper
...These reactions, according to some, could lead to clashes of civilizations (Huntington, 1996)....
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Book•
27 Jul 1992
TL;DR: Globalization as a Problem The Cultural Turn Mapping the Global Condition World-Systems Theory, Culture and Images of World Power Japanese Globality and Japanese Religion The Universalism-Particularism Issue "Civilization," Civility and the Civilizing Process Globalization Theory and Civilization Analysis Globality, Modernity and the Issue of Postmodernity Globalization and the Nostalgic Paradigm 'The Search for Fundamentals' in Global Perspective Concluding Reflections
Abstract: Globalization as a Problem The Cultural Turn Mapping the Global Condition World-Systems Theory, Culture and Images of World Power Japanese Globality and Japanese Religion The Universalism-Particularism Issue 'Civilization,' Civility and the Civilizing Process Globalization Theory and Civilization Analysis Globality, Modernity and the Issue of Postmodernity Globalization and the Nostalgic Paradigm 'The Search for Fundamentals' in Global Perspective Concluding Reflections
3,676 citations
Book•
01 Jan 2006
TL;DR: In this article, Appiah revives the ancient philosophy of cosmopolitanism, which dates back to the Cynics of the 4th century, as a means of understanding the complex world of today.
Abstract: This brilliant, cross-disciplinary work challenges the separatist doctrines which have come to dominate our understanding of the world. Appiah revives the ancient philosophy of Cosmopolitanism, which dates back to the Cynics of the 4th century, as a means of understanding the complex world of today. Arguing that we concentrate too much on what makes us different rather than recognizing our common humanity, Appiah explores how we can act ethically in a globalized world.
1,861 citations
Book•
01 Jan 1985
TL;DR: In this article, the traditional state: Bureaucracy, Class, Ideology, Administrative Power, Internal Pacification, Citizenship, and Class, Sovereignty and Citizenship are discussed.
Abstract: Introduction. 1. State, Society and Modern History. 2. The Traditional State: Domination and Military Power. 3. The Traditional State: Bureaucracy, Class, Ideology. 4. The Absolutist State and the Nation--State. 5. Capitalism, Industrialism and Social Transformation. 6. Capitalism and the State: From Absolutism to the Nation--State. 7. Administrative Power, Internal Pacification. 8. Class, Sovereignty and Citizenship. 9. Capitalist Development and the Industrialization of War. 10. Nation--States in the Global State System. 11. Modernity, Totalitarianism and Critical Theory. Notes. Bibliography. Index.
1,351 citations