Graduation Year
2021
Document Type
Senior Thesis
Degree
Bachelor of Arts
Primary Major
Psychology
Primary Minor
Counseling Science
Thesis Advisor
Madfes, Ian
Abstract
In growing diversity, social interactions between cultures can build psychological strain. Although, people value familiarity in situations such as in the workplace. The more we seek identity economy in the workplace, the more cross-cultural collaboration becomes essential, yet challenging. To evaluate how cultural similarities and differences influence relationships at work, a voluntary survey was conducted including three sets of measurements; Coworker Relationship Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and Self-Construal Scale. From 126 self-report, quantitative data showed that relationships between coworkers of different cultural backgrounds (DCB) had greater difficulties than those who share similar cultural backgrounds (SCB). Regardless of one’s psychological stress that may assimilate within coworker relationships, the survey results showed no association between stress and coworker relationships. When independent (IND) and interdependent (INT) self-construals were considered, IND traits predicted more difficulty with DCB coworkers, whereas INT traits predicted more difficulty with SCB. Overall, IND traits had the best predictor for difficulties integrating with DCBs. From qualitative data, simplification of individuals of DCBs also initiated the result on relationship difficulties.
Included in
Cognition and Perception Commons, Cognitive Psychology Commons, Developmental Psychology Commons, Human Factors Psychology Commons, Industrial and Organizational Psychology Commons, Multicultural Psychology Commons