The Influence of Language, System, and Sex upon Intercultural Attitudes: Research Using an Intercultural Simulation Gaming

Abstract

This study investigates how language, cultural system, and sex affects intercultural attitudes using a simulation gaming. Fourteen groups (of 4 or 5 participants) played a simulation gaming with similarly-sized groups of confederates (the out-group). Attitudes toward the out-groups were measured in four experimental conditions: both language and cultural system the same; language-same and system-different; language different and system-same, and both different. ANOVA showed that the language factor had an influence on behavioral intentions toward the out-group. The system factor had an influence on favorableness and the image of the out-group. The results were influenced by sex: males reported feeling conflicts with the out-group with a different language or cultural system, while females were tolerant of these differences and showed cooperative responses to the out-group.