A Study on the Relevant Factors of Female Undergraduates’ Social Annoyance in Train and the Moderating Effects of Public and Private Perceptions

Abstract

In this study, we examined factors correlated with socially annoying behaviors that occur in trains, and the moderating effect of public and private perceptions. Female undergraduate participants (n = 172) responded to a questionnaire. The responses were analyzed using multiple regression analysis with the frequency of engaging in annoying behaviors as the dependent variable and the frequency of observing annoying behaviors and annoying and tolerant attitudes of other’s as independent variables. Public and private perceptions were a moderator variable. Results indicated that more frequently participants saw annoying behaviors of others; the more they engaged in annoying behaviors. In the private perception group, the more others annoyed them, the less they engaged in annoying behaviors, whereas in the public perception group, the more others were tolerant, the more they engaged in annoying behaviors. These results suggest that private perceptions do not necessarily stimulate annoying behaviors and female undergraduates control their urge to engage in annoying behaviors by considering the attitudes of others. Public and private perceptions of female undergraduates and their considerate attitudes regarding unknown others are discussed.