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Published on: September 5, 2019
Communication mode preference paradox among native Chinese speakers.
Jie-Hong Xu1, Xian-Bao Ye, Shu Li
1Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing.
The Journal of Social Psychology
|February 28, 2009
Summary
The communication mode preference (CMP) paradox, where people prefer receiving numerical probabilities but conveying them verbally, is present in Chinese speakers. This paradox is even stronger in Chinese culture compared to American English settings.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Cross-Cultural Psychology
- Decision Science
Background:
- The communication mode preference (CMP) paradox describes the tendency to prefer numerical probability information but use verbal expressions for conveying it.
- Previous research identified this paradox in native English speakers, but its cross-cultural robustness remained unexplored.
- Cultural differences in probabilistic thinking suggest potential variations in the CMP paradox across different societies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the existence and strength of the CMP paradox in a Chinese-speaking cultural context.
- To determine if the CMP paradox is a universal phenomenon or culturally specific.
- To compare the prevalence of the CMP paradox in Chinese culture versus American English settings.
Main Methods:
- Surveyed 370 native Chinese speakers on their communication mode preferences for probabilities.
- Assessed preferences in both general contexts and a specific domain (weather forecasting).
- Analyzed responses to identify the presence and magnitude of the CMP paradox.
Main Results:
- The CMP paradox was observed in native Chinese speakers.
- The phenomenon was found to be even more pronounced in the Chinese cultural setting compared to previous findings in American English speakers.
- Preferences for numerical reception and verbal expression of probabilities were evident.
Conclusions:
- The CMP paradox is not limited to English-speaking cultures and appears to be cross-culturally robust.
- Cultural factors may influence the strength and manifestation of the CMP paradox.
- Further research is needed to understand the underlying cognitive and cultural mechanisms driving these preferences.
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