Cross-Cultural Differences in Territoriality: Interaction Distances of Native Japanese, Hawaii Japanese, and American Caucasians

Abstract

Distance between dyads, using an adaption of Kuethe's (1962) Felt Figure technique, was investigated as a function of relationship, culture, sex, and conversational content. Relationship was the most powerful determinant of distance. Culture was also significant, but sex and content were not. As predicted, Native Japanese had greater distances than either Hawaii Japanese or American Caucasians. However, no differences were found between Hawaii Japanese and American Caucasians, which was contrary to anticipated results. Sex differences among Native Japanese and American Caucasians were not significant. The hypothesis of greater distances for Hawaii Japanese males was not supported. Previous studies had indicated a more rapid rate of acculturation for Hawaii Japanese females, but on the dimension of interaction distance sex was not a significant determinant for the Hawaii Japanese group.