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Related Experiment Video

Assessment of Social Cognition in Non-human Primates Using a Network of Computerized Automated Learning Device (ALDM) Test Systems
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Abstract Cognition Across Cultures.

Amritpal Singh1, Jiangxue Ning1, Shikun Su1

  • 1Department of Psychology, Cornell University.

Topics in Cognitive Science
|May 27, 2026

View abstract on PubMed

Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Contrary to popular belief, Chinese individuals demonstrate more abstract thinking than Westerners, particularly in event construal and analogical reasoning tasks. This suggests cultural context sensitivity drives abstract cognition.

Keywords:
Abstract cognitionAnalogyContext‐sensitivityCultureEvent cognition

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Area of Science:

  • Cross-cultural psychology
  • Cognitive science
  • Social cognition

Background:

  • A prevailing view posits that Westerners exhibit more abstract thought than individuals from Chinese cultures.
  • Recent research suggests East Asians' heightened sensitivity to social and physical contexts may foster greater abstract thinking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To challenge the traditional view of abstract thought differences across cultures.
  • To investigate whether East Asians think more abstractly than Westerners, focusing on event construal and analogical reasoning.

Main Methods:

  • Six independent national samples (N = 1797) assessed event construal, with participants choosing abstract vs. concrete descriptions.
  • A study (n = 965) compared abstract event construal between Chinese subcultures with varying context sensitivity.
  • Four independent national samples (N = 677) evaluated performance on analogical reasoning problems.

    • Main Results:

    • Across national samples, Chinese participants consistently showed a greater tendency for abstract event construal compared to U.S. participants.
    • A Chinese subculture with higher context sensitivity demonstrated more abstract event construal.
    • Chinese participants significantly outperformed U.S. participants in solving analogical reasoning problems.

    Conclusions:

    • The findings challenge the long-held assumption that Westerners possess superior abstract thinking abilities compared to Chinese individuals.
    • Greater sensitivity to social and physical contexts appears to be a key driver of abstract cognition across cultures.