Approach--avoidance motivation and information processing: a cross-cultural analysis

Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2009 Apr;35(4):454-62. doi: 10.1177/0146167208329512. Epub 2009 Jan 22.

Abstract

Much recent research suggests that North Americans more frequently experience approach motivations and East Asians more frequently experience avoidance motivations. The current research explores some cognitive implications of this cultural difference. North Americans should be more attentive to approach-oriented information, whereas East Asians should be more attentive to avoidance-oriented information. Three studies confirmed this hypothesis. When asked to recall information framed in either approach or avoidance terms, a predicted interaction between culture and information frame was observed (Study 1 and 2). Moreover, analyses of consumer book reviews found that among reviews that were rated as helpful, approach-focused content was more prevalent in American reviews compared to Japanese reviews, in which avoidance-focused content was more prevalent (Study 3). Findings from the current research add to the growing literature of cross-cultural research on approach-avoidance motivations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Asia, Eastern / ethnology
  • Avoidance Learning*
  • Cross-Cultural Comparison
  • Ethnicity / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Processes*
  • Motivation*
  • North America / ethnology
  • Students / psychology
  • Young Adult