New publication in the Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology

We are pleased to share that the article ''Which Cultural Dimensions Predict Variations in Emotional Conformity? An Extension of Vishkin et al. (2023) Across 28 Nations" has been published in the October issue of the Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, with lab member Lusine Grigoryan part of the research team. This study extends Vishkin et al.'s prior research across 6,168 participants, showing that the cultural dimensions of monumentalism and looseness can also predict conformity of experienced positive emotions and valued negative emotions, The full article can be read here.

Abstract

Despite being a classic social psychology topic, cultural variability in conformity has only been examined systematically in the last few decades. Vishkin et al. reported evidence that conformity of experienced emotions and of valued emotions is stronger in individualistic cultures. We tested the replicability of this finding using data from 28 nations (N = 6,168), incorporating two further relevant cultural predictors of cultural differences: flexibility-monumentalism and tightness-looseness. Contrasting effects regarding valence were found for conformity of experienced emotions and of valued emotions. Conformity of experienced positive emotions and of valued negative emotions was predicted by individualism, monumentalism, and looseness. The results are discussed in terms of the distinction between injunctive and descriptive norms and cultural variations in the salience of positive and negative emotions. Using additional indicators of cultural difference yields a fuller understanding of these effects than that provided by the contrast between individualism and collectivism. The use of deviation scores provides a useful operationalization of variations in conformity.