COMMUNICATIVE BEHAVIOR IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF FRIENDSHIP: A CROSS-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE
Abstract
This study explored the communicative behavior in the development of interpersonal relationships between and within cultures. The study began by mapping perspectives and approaches to development in human relationships. The connection between communicative behavior and interpersonal relationships was described, models of relational development were identified, and conceptualization of dimensions of communicative behavior in the development of interpersonal relationships was presented. The focus was on communicative behaviors in the development of relationships from acquaintanceships to close friendships between and within two cultures. The data were obtained from American and Middle Eastern subjects at an intra, cross, and projected cross-cultural level. Each subject completed six forms of a 30-item questionnaire, one form on each of the two relationship types at each of the three levels. Analysis of communicative behavior progressed in three phases: (1) an examination of the patterns which characterize the nature of Americans' and Middle Easterners' communicative behavior descriptive systems in the development of their intra, cross, and projected cross-cultural relationships; (2) an exploration of the dimensions of communicative behavior in relationship development at the three levels; and (3) an examination of the impact of culture and personal demographics on Americans' and Middle Easterners' communicative behaviors during the development of their relationships from acquaintanceships to close friendships. Results revealed differences between and within the American and Middle Eastern cultures. Americans and Middle Easterners perceived the dimensions and patterns of communicative behavior differently during the development of their relationships. Results also revealed that the generality of a useful, applicable intra-cultural system of communicative behavior is doubtful, while that of a cross or projected cross-cultural system is possible in the development of friendship relationships across cultures. Replication of this study with different populations, types of relationships, and settings; precise, objective operationalizations of variables; and conceptualizations of trans-cultural dimensions and factors were suggested for the formulation of a model of friendship development across cultures.
Degree
Ph.D.
Subject Area
Communication
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