Cross-cultural Research

• Main Authors: TOV, William, SCOLLON, Christie N.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2012
• Subjects: Multicultural psychology; Human behavior; experience sampling methodology; Social Psychology
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/1100; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/soss_research/article/2356/viewcontent/2012_TovScollon.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

We divide our review of cross-cultural applications of experience sampling methodology (ESM) into five main areas. First, we review studies that compare online (via ESM) and retrospective responses (via single-session surveys) and show that the two measures lead to different conclusions about cultural differences. Second, we review studies that highlight the distinction between quantity (i.e., how often certain events occur) and subjective quality (i.e., how events are experienced), and demonstrate that cultural differences may exist in either or both of these aspects. Third, we review studies that examine cultural differences in intra-psychic phenomena or within-person correlations (i.e., how psychological states covary with situational factors across cultures). These studies capture processes that may shift rapidly across contexts—such as the activation of different cultural identities and subsequent emotions. Fourth, we discuss the potential of ESM data to quantify the amount of intra-individual variation across cultures. That is, how much people’s feelings and behaviors vary overall from situation to situation—an issue that is distinct from mean-level and correlational studies. With each of the major applications, we discuss the unique advantages of using ESM. Fifth and last, we review the challenges associated with using ESM in different cultures and directions for future research.