Cultural styles, relational schemas, and prejudice against out-groups.
Two studies provide evidence that Latins (i.e., Mexicans and Mexican Americans) are guided by a concern with socioemotional aspects of workplace relations to a far greater degree than are Anglo-Americans. The focus on socioemotional considerations results in Latins having a relatively greater preference for workgroups having a strong interpersonal orientation. Preferred relational style had a far greater impact on preferences for workgroups and judgments about their likely success than did the ethnic composition of the workgroups for both Latins and Anglo-Americans. Evidence that the two groups differ markedly in relational schemas comes from examination of suggestions about how group performance could be improved, judgments about whether a focus on socioemotional concerns necessarily entails a reduction in task focus, and recall for socioemotional aspects of workgroup interactions. Implications for the dynamics of intercultural contact are discussed.
Sanchez-Burks
J
J
Management and Organization Department, Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California, Los Angeles 90089, USA. sanchez.burks@marshall.usc.edu
Nisbett
R E
RE
Ybarra
O
O
D000328:Adult; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D017058:Mexican Americans / Q000523:psychology*; D008800:Mexico; D012938:Social Perception; D015206:Southwestern United States; D014481:United States; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology*; D017132:Workplace