Les Dimensions Interpersonnelles du Comportement Social Une Comparaison de Deux Collectivites Francophones

Abstract

[Interpersonal Dimensions of Social Behavior: A Cross-Cultural Comparison Between Two French Speaking Communities] This study aims to explore the interpersonal dimensions underlying social behavior in small groups. The specific questions raised concern the nature of the frame of reference used by two French speaking communities. In order to assess the functional characteristics of interpersonal altitudes, Osgood's semantic differential was applied to 300 subjects distributed in 15 Belgian and 16 French-Canadian groups. In addition The Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientations (FIRO-B) was applied to the same subjects. It was found that in the Belgian sample evaluation was the prevalent factor, whereas in the French-Canadian sample dominance and activity, two dynamic dimensions were most important. Furthermore the correlations between the semantic factors and the interpersonal needs in both samples indicate the existence of a bi-dimensional model as proposed by Foa rather than a threedimensional model as advanced by Schutz to account for interpersonal behavior. The study is presented in the light of the controversy between Faucheux and Triandis regarding cross-cultural research. The conclusions underline some recent contributions and the need for further socially relevant research in this domain.