Acculturation and personality among Japanese-American college students in Hawaii

Abstract

Despite the inroads of acculturation, personality differences have been found between third-generation (sansei) Japanese Americans and their Caucasian-American (CaucAm) counterparts. Four studies were initiated to explore personality trait and sex differences between these two ethnic groups at the University of Hawaii. Study 1 was a reconnoitering investigation to locate first-order trait differences between sansei college students and their CaucAm counterparts. The 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire (16 PF) was administered to 60 CaucAm and 75 sansei subjects (Ss). The differences found were discussed in light of peer expectations and support for the stereotype of a "local II within the youth culture. Study 2 replicated the findings of the previous study, and investigated the broad second-order factors of introversion-vs-extraversion and anxiety level. A sample of 154 sansei and 140 CaucAm Ss were compared on the second-order and derived factors of the 16 P. F. Sansei males and females found to be more introverted and higher in anxiety level than CaucAm Ss. A parallel was traced between these results and Doi's concept of a core dependency need. Study 3 focused on language usage and its relationship to personality traits. A sample of 79 sansei12s referred to remedial speech courses for severe Pidgin English usage was compared with 60 CaucAm and 75 sansei "controls II exempted from these courses. On the 16 P. F., remediation Ss appeared more psychologically "distant" from CaucAm and "control" Ss. Study 4 compared the sex-role orientation of sansei and CaucAm .§.s, along with another oriental group undergoing the process of acculturation. Sex temperament of 98 sansei, 65 CaucAm and 40 Chinese-American (ChiAm) Ss was measured with the Attitude-Interest Analysis Test (M-F Test). Regarding ethnic differences, there were no significant differences between male groups despite the male-dominant stance of traditional Japanese culture. Both sansei and ChiAm female Ss appeared more "feminine II than CaucAm female Ss. Findings were related to the acquisition of exploitative and accommodative sex-role strategies. The four studies revealed a good deal of cultural sharing between the two major ethnic groups. The idea of an eth-gen-class model, based on the interaction of ethnic background, generation level and social class, was proposed for analyzing the acculturation pattern of the Japanese-American group. Several factors were considered related to the maintenance of personality differences in the Hawaiian milieu.