Chapter 3 - Uncertainty Regulation: The Master Motive?

Abstract

Uncertainty orientation may be a critical individual difference variable that has important implications for examining differences between and within cultures. Within cultures, people whose predominant style of coping with uncertainty matches that of their society have a better sense of self, perceive more freedom and less anxiety in work situations, and are more realistic about what their future holds than those whose coping style does not match their society's values or beliefs. Matched individuals also are more actively involved and have greater flow and anti-flow emotional experiences than their mismatched counterparts. This chapter examines informational and affective measures such as uncertainty orientation and achievement-related motives at the individual level, contributing to an understanding of how culture may influence the motivation, persistence, performance, and affective experiences of its members. Although controversy currently rages regarding whether individualism and collectivism truly distinguish Eastern and Western societies, or whether they may be more meaningful to speak of an independent versus interdependent self, or whether people have or do not have self-esteem, a plausible major distinction may be that most East–West differences are a function of how these societies cope with uncertainty and how this shapes the behavior of its constituent members. So- called differences in emotional responding and self-esteem may be a function of underlying individual differences in achievement-related motives and whether the individual's means of handling uncertainty are consistent with his or her culture's method of resolving uncertainty.