Interdependence in a Japanese cultural context: Distinguishing between preferences and expectations

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to clarify whether interdependent behavior among the Japanese is aligned with their expectations regarding others’ behavior or their own preferences. The participants were privately asked about their preference for independence or interdependence and their expectations regarding others’ independent or interdependent behavior. Then, they were asked to publicly express whether their own behavior was indicative of independence or interdependence. When comparing the participants’ preferences, expectations, and actual behavior, I found that interdependence was only evident in their expectations and public behavior; i.e., the participants answered that they preferred independence rather than interdependence, whereas they expected that others are interdependent and identified themselves as interdependent in public. These findings suggest that interdependent behavior among the Japanese is based on their expectations regarding others’ behavior rather than their own preferences.