Comparing Community Consciousness between Japan and Korea

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate differences in the common factor of community consciousness between Japan and Korea. The scale included four subscales: “solidarity,” “self-determination,” “attachment,” and “dependency on others.” Web surveys were conducted in 669 adults (330 Japanese, 339 Koreans). Results of the survey showed that configural invariance was confirmed only for “self-determination” and its latent mean was higher in Korean participants. In sum, the results suggest that Japan and Korea have similarities and differences regarding community consciousness, which may be attributed to various factors such as social mobility and attitudes toward civil rights.