Abstract
Purpose - The present study examined individual differences in the susceptibility to pluralistic ignorance of avoidance among Japanese by measuring the value of social harmony. We hypothesized that the pluralistic ignorance of avoidance will occur more frequently among those with a low regard for the value of social harmony than those with a high regard. Design/methodology/approach - In two scenario studies, we had participants rate both their own avoidance and other’s avoidance in conflict situations. In Study 1 we measured the value of social harmony by Yamaguch et al.’s (1995) collectivism Scale, and we originally constructed a scale to measure the value in Study2.Findings - Consistent with the hypothesis, pluralistic ignorance occurred only among Japanese participants with a low regard for the value of social harmony and not among those who valued it highly. Originality/value - These findings suggest that those who have a different stance from the cultural value feel a normative pressure by the biased perception of others’ behavior due to pluralistic ignorance, which, as a result, works to preserve the predominant cultural value.
Purpose - The present study examined individual differences in the susceptibility to pluralistic ignorance of avoidance among Japanese by measuring the value of social harmony. We hypothesized that the pluralistic ignorance of avoidance will occur more frequently among those with a low regard for the value of social harmony than those with a high regard. Design/methodology/approach - In two scenario studies, we had participants rate both their own avoidance and other’s avoidance in conflict situations. In Study 1 we measured the value of social harmony by Yamaguch et al.’s (1995) collectivism Scale, and we originally constructed a scale to measure the value in Study2.Findings - Consistent with the hypothesis, pluralistic ignorance occurred only among Japanese participants with a low regard for the value of social harmony and not among those who valued it highly. Originality/value - These findings suggest that those who have a different stance from the cultural value feel a normative pressure by the biased perception of others’ behavior due to pluralistic ignorance, which, as a result, works to preserve the predominant cultural value.