Cross-Cultural Differences in Love Attitudes of Belarusians and Chinese

Abstract

Objectives. Study of cross-cultural differences in love attitudes of Belarusians and Chinese. Background. A large number of cross-cultural studies focus on comparing the psychological characteristics of representatives of two polar cultures — individualistic and collectivist. At the same time, little attention is paid to the study and explanation of the differences within each of these cultures. Although it is quite obvious that countries belonging to the same culture may differ significantly due to their cultural-specific features, traditions, state structure, and religions. In this regard, the study was aimed at identifying differences in such a cultural universal as love, namely, in the love attitudes of Belarusians and Chinese, who are representatives of collectivist culture. Study design. The study was conducted using a survey method. For data processing and analysis, descriptive statistics and Student t-test were used. Participants. The respondents were 1344 people, representatives of the Belarusian (men, N=544; women, N=560) and Chinese (men, N=120; women, N=120) samples, aged 17-30 years. Measurements. Love Attitudes Scale by C. Hendrik, S. Hendrik. Results. Chinese men differ from Belarusian men with higher scores of attitudes Agape, Pragma, Mania, Storge and Ludus. Belarusian women differ from Chinese women with higher Eros attitudes. In turn, Chinese women in comparison with Belarus, have higher rates of Pragma, Storge, and Ludus. At¬titudes Eros and Agape occupy the top position in the hierarchy of love attitudes of Belarusian men and women, and attitudes Agape and Pragma — in Chinese. Ludus, regardless of gender and nationality, has the least power. Conclusions. The results of the study contribute to the understanding of differences in love styles depending on belonging to Western and Eastern collectivist subcultures.