Different view for East and West

[Darat]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4173956.stm

...snip...

Western and Eastern people look at the world in different ways, University of Michigan scientists have claimed.

...snip...

Anyone read the actual paper and what it (really ) concludes?

There seems to be some strange conclusions being drawn in the article, for instance the following quote to me reads like new-age babble.

....snip...

Its findings appear consistent with previous research which has suggested Eastern people think in a more holistic way than Westerners, instinctively paying greater heed to context.

...snip...

And

…snip…

"East Asians live in relatively complex social networks with prescribed role relations.

"Attention to context is, therefore, important for effective functioning.

"In contrast, Westerners live in less constraining social worlds that stress independence and allow them to pay less attention to context.

…snip…

“Westerners live in less constraining…” and “East Asians live in relatively complex…”? I really would like to see the objective measure that allows those conclusions to be drawn.

 

[toddjh]

Its findings appear consistent with previous research which has suggested Eastern people think in a more holistic way than Westerners, instinctively paying greater heed to context.

"Instinctively?" It's genetic?

Jeremy

 

[Jorghnassen]

Besides, to extend the conclusion from 26 Chinese & 25 Americans to East & West (how/where do you divide?), is dubious. I'd love to see this extended to more subjects though (in particular, I'd include language of the subjects as a variable).

 

[phildonnia]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4173956.stm
I really would like to see the objective measure that allows those conclusions to be drawn.

Well of course you would. That's a typical constraining non-holistic Western attitude.