Emotion Recognition in Different Cultures

Abstract

Background: This article substantiates the necessity to study the emotion recognition in cross-cultural communication. The study is aimed at determining the conditions of successful cross-cultural recognition of face expressions. Methods: The authors have theoretically analyzed and summarized the conditions affecting the success of emotion recognition. To achieve the research objectives the authors used such methods as: the Cultural Intelligence Scale Test (CQS) by Early and Ang, Montreal Set of facial displays of emotion by U. Hess, the Embedded Figures Test of field dependence-independence by H. Witkin, Individualism and collectivism scale by G. Hofstede, Emotional intelligence Test by D.V. Lyusin. Findings: It was found that a high level of emotional intelligence, as well as the high level of its components, is closely related to the emotion recognition from facial expressions displayed by representatives of different cultures. Difficulties in emotion recognition are not determined by the fact that they appear quite different on the faces of the representatives of different ethnic groups, nationalities, cultures, etc. Difficulties in emotion recognition are related to the characteristics of its display and perception determined by the features of ethnic groups, person’s culture-specific and cognitive style features. Improvements: The authors formulated practical recommendations for the emotion recognition abilities development: emotional intelligence and its components; cognitive component of cultural intelligence; awareness of cultural differences in emotion expression and recognition. Keywords: Basic Emotions, Cognitive Features, Cross-Cultural Features, Emotion Recognition