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Control deprivation and styles of thinking
Xinyue Zhou1, Lingnan He, Qing Yang
1Department of Psychology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China. zhouxyue@mail.sysu.edu.cn
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
|November 16, 2011
Summary
Cultural differences in thinking styles exist, with Westerners favoring analytical and East Asians holistic approaches. However, control deprivation can temporarily shift thinking styles towards analytical for both groups, especially when seeking to regain personal control.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Cross-Cultural Psychology
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Westerners typically exhibit analytical thinking, while East Asians tend towards holistic cognition.
- Previous research suggests cultural variations in cognitive styles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of control deprivation on cognitive styles across cultures.
- To examine whether manipulating cognitive styles affects the sense of personal control.
Main Methods:
- Replication of cultural differences in thinking styles.
- Experimental manipulation of control deprivation in Chinese and Western Caucasian participants.
- Assessment of cognitive styles (analytical vs. holistic) and sense of personal control.
Main Results:
- Control deprivation temporarily eliminated the cultural difference in thinking styles, promoting analytical thought.
- Engaging in analytical thinking increased Chinese participants' sense of personal control.
- Prolonged control deprivation led Chinese participants back to holistic thinking.
Conclusions:
- Cultural differences in cognition are real but can be modulated by situational factors like control deprivation.
- Analytical thinking serves as a cross-cultural strategy to enhance personal control.
- The desire for control influences cognitive style, demonstrating a link between motivation and cognition.
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