Although it is widely believed that Japanese people are typical collectivists compared to individualistic Westerners, this view is not supported by empirical research. Employing 'Japanese collectivism' as a case example, this book explores how the dichotomous view of cultures was established and investigates how cultural stereotypes exacerbate emotional conflicts between human groups. Drawing on empirical findings, it theoretically analyses the properties of cultural stereotype to reveal the hazards associated with stereotyping nations or ethnicities. Students and researchers from numerous disciplines, including psychology, anthropology, sociology, political science, and economics, will gain fresh insights from this reconceptualization of culture.

Using 'Japanese collectivism' as a case example, Takano draws on empirical research to investigate the destructive nature of stereotyping.

About the Author
Yohtaro Takano is Emeritus Professor at the University of Tokyo, Japan. He has authored several books, including 'Collectivism' as an Illusion (2008), Cognitive Psychology (2013), and Mirror Reversal (2015). He received the Misumi Award in 2001 from the Asian Association of Social Psychology for his study on 'Japanese collectivism'.


Book Information
ISBN 9781108833202
Author Yohtaro Takano
Format Hardback
Page Count 300
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press