Values and Hostile Intent Attribution to Out-Groups within China-Apan Relations: The Mediating Role of Perceived Threats

Lihua Huang,Hiroyuki Yamaguchi,Takeru Miyajima,Kengo Nawata

doi:10.5539/ijps.v7n3p97

Lihua Huang, Hiroyuki Yamaguchi + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.5539/ijps.v7n3p97

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Abstract

This study examines a specific effect of hostile intent attribution within intergroup relationships. Based on our application of integrated threat theory, we hypothesised that different types of symbolic and realistic threats had a mediating effect on relations between basic human values (traditionalism and universalism) and hostile intent attribution. We conducted a survey among two university population samples of Chinese and Japanese respondents. The results for our first sample of Chinese undergraduate students (N = 201) revealed that both traditionalism and universalism predicted hostile intent attribution and that these relations were fully mediated by symbolic threats, but not by realistic threats. However, the results for the second sample of Japanese undergraduate students (N = 256) differed, indicating that traditionalism, but not universalism, predicted hostile intent attribution, and that this relation was fully mediated by both symbolic and realistic threats. In conclusion, we discuss the theoretical and practical implications of these findings.

Highlights

1.1 Conceptions of China-Japan Relations within Social Psychological StudiesChina and Japan enjoy very close cultural and economic relations that stretch back to antiquity
Based on our application of integrated threat theory, we hypothesised that different types of symbolic and realistic threats had a mediating effect on relations between basic human values and hostile intent attribution
The results for our first sample of Chinese undergraduate students (N = 201) revealed that both traditionalism and universalism predicted hostile intent attribution and that these relations were fully mediated by symbolic threats, but not by realistic threats

Summary

Introduction

1.1 Conceptions of China-Japan Relations within Social Psychological Studies. China and Japan enjoy very close cultural and economic relations that stretch back to antiquity. In 2012, striking and widespread anti-Japan demonstrations occurred in response to the Japanese government’s nationalisation of the Diaoyu Islands (known as the Senkaku Islands in Japan) (Nye, 2013). These events signalled a climax in the deteriorating relationship between these two nations. We analysed the relationship between China and Japan from a socio-psychological perspective

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