Emotional intensity as a function of psychological distance and cultural orientation

This study investigates emotional intensity as a function of psychological distance and cultural orientation (strong vs. weak filial piety) for Chinese (N=262) and American (N=200) students. Subjects read four scenarios that depicted moral or ethical situations in which a protagonist injured another person through their actions. Subjects responded to each scenario four times by expressing how they would feel if they, their father (or brother depending on the scenario), their best friend, and a complete stranger were the victim. Anger, sadness, resentment, and contempt were measured toward each target person in each scenario. It was found that Americans expressed less psychological distance between in-group and out-group members than Chinese. Toward in-group members (father, brother, or close friend), Americans exhibited greater psychological distance than Chinese. Felt emotional intensity was found to decrease with psychological distance for Americans and Chinese, and Americans were less likely to incorporate close others as extensions of self than Chinese. Contrary to predictions, Americans actually showed greater psychological distance toward out-group members (strangers) than Chinese.