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IO-AIERIGAC AFFILIATION A (4IDENT'FICATION

WITH THE AMERICAN SOCIETY:

A STUDY OF CHINESE STUDENT 2-AT

NORTH 'EXAS STATE UNIVERSITY

THESI S

Presented to the Graduate Councii of the

North Texas State University in Partial

Fulfillment of the Requirements

For the Degree of

MASTER OF ARTS

By

Tsung-Kuo UCargaret Hsu, B.tA

Denton, Iexas

December, 1974

Hsu, Tsung-Kuo argaret, S ino-American Affiliation and

IdetiFication with American Society ?i tudy of Chinese

students at north Texa Stat University. Waster of Arts

(Socilogy), Decerber, 1974, 61 pp., 19 tables, bibliogaphy,

17 titles

This study exarlnes inuerrelationships between Chinee

S dents' associations with each other, with American

friends, and their identfication with AmerIcan society.

ifty-three randomly-selected Chinese students at horth

exas 2hate UniersIty were interviewed in ay, 1974. Te

resuitng data was tested by Chi-square and Gamma tests.

Ihe. finding r:e an folows

in the TUnited States, ,hinese students are in a dynamic

adjustmnt process. In their early stay, 01hinese students

ath high scores 0 a Liation wit Alericans have low scores

d) irentification 1ith Amercan society. However, afili-

ation with other Chinese brings satisfactio. and furtheridentification. Thereforoe, 0hinese students with hih scores

of afFiliation with eacd oth.r have high scores of denti-

Icatin with u dAmericans.

TALE OF CONTElTS

age

aper

I. S AEETOTEPIROBLi,,...,

IntroductionBackground of this StudyReview of the Literature

gnificanee of this StudyHypotheses

UlMary

II9, 0ET , 0-LOGY 9- - - - - . . . . . . 12

Tntrxo ducti-onDefinition- o TermsCollection of DataDescription of Ihe Samyple PopulationSttistical Procedures

III. AALYI OF THE DAAi a a a a a a .a. 22

ypohess Isyp o-t h es is I

typothesis TI

thesis IVH y muj; 'j eHypo'hesis Viyiolhesis VIIHypo.hes SVIIH1ypo(Dhesis II

H9yp oth es i SIXHypothesis X

v k OoLtsioNs , SblMIATI0 , zA D "-LIATOt. S46

4 GA P Y .a a a a. a a a a .a 54

13111 <Y a a a a a a a 6o

I 1

-I-a weY-TA E

fi'abje iage

requency Dstriou tion 4Populationby Sex and Place of Orgin .

I. Frequency Distributo of Populationb Sex and marital SatU -IV . 0

>II Frequency Distrlotion 1 Lopulft<onby S ex and Length f tay .

/ . Erquency Distribution of Pmoulationby-3 andAgo. 4 4 . ndA,

. yrsIqney D iPouution of Populatinby AffIIation with Chinese and

Dee of Intimacv in InterpersonalPelationse..1

4

16

17

I8

tI. Affiliation with Chinese According toL ng h o Sty 4 4 4 -- -! .I-I

VII. Degree of Afiiation with Chines byPreference to Chat with Cinese M :N

III. Affiliation with CLinese by the Degreeo. Preference to Vlsit with OtherChinese - . 4 4 - 4 4 4 - , - , - 4

1X. Degree of Aff Iiation with Chinese bytne Degree of reference to Share

0na's >rob1ems with Other Chinese -

Affiliation vith Chinese bv the Degreeof Preference to Acco-mpany aChinose os the Opposite Sex to a

,Is Af<Iliation with Chinese by Liv ing.1rox16imity - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I. Affi nation with Chinese by livingProximr v-After One Yea: ofResidentice -4-a-9 4 - -

0 9 C. 23

25

. . 4 26

a 4 4 . 27

4 . 4 28

30

31

iv

. . . 15

. . .

'T',

XiI A nation with hinese tyPreference of ChineseROOMaMatet 0 . a a a a a .a .aa ....

-L, V Af'iLiation wit Americans byJarital ttatus. a a . aaa a . , * . a . a41 a n

V. Affiliation with ArenricansAccording t o Chinese-tudents' Place of

g -' ---a a a a a a a a -.a .

AfI. Affiition ith AmeriCans byAge , 9 9 . a a a aa.9 . . a a .* S

A filiation xi<h Aericans byPrevious Friendship withXesterners. - a a a a a a a -

III. Affiliation with Am icans bythe Degree of Identif icationith American zoiety a a a a

-. Afiliaio'n with hinese by theDgre o identification

with American Society a a a .

* a a a a a a 36

4 . . a. a a & a 38

a I 40

9 a a a a a a 43

V

Page

32

33

35

0 .0 .0 .4

SHAPER I

+TATlEiETOF JTlHE IEROBLE

Introdcti0n

A Joreign student (ho decides to study in the United

Sta ts must underg o an adjustment O a different culture and

sooety. Such a process of adjustment is dynamic and contin-

uous htUmr his so journ in the United States is valuable

and su"eswv- will be determined by his ability to adapt to

t he 1erican society.

he latest statistics repot hat of -the 144,126f o

eign studensstudying In the United Itates nearly 35,0002

are Chinese students, Out of two hundred and eighty foreign

students reistering in the ali of 197t at orth Texas State

university Vsevrenmy were Chinese students,

lince Chinese students constitute one fourth or the whole

&g student poi pulation, the Lnited States government and

chool administrators need detailed information on Chinese

students so that operations aid Policy decions wil be more

e.fem eiuve however, the existing information on the Chinese

1t4 L z eprtment of Health, Iducaion, and Welfare,D ofs ducaional Itatistics (Washington, D.C., 1973), P,144,

LouLth rvie epsrt (Iaipei, Taiwan, 1973).

]Dean of Vtudents' office, A s tatistical Report, Northxas at Isne University, (Denton, TeXas, 1973).

1

2

student in the United States is not sufficient to understand

their assimilation process.

the sudy makes the supposition that the Chinese students'

degree oi affiliation with their own countrymen is inversely

related to their identification with the American society, and

their degree of affiliation vith Americans is positively re-

lated to their identi ication with the American society.

The purposes of this study are to ieasure Chinese students

degree of affiliation with Chinese and Americans at North Texras

State University; to measure their degree of identification

with American society; and to relate these two variables to

each other in order to test the hypotheses.

:Background of "his Study

The frequency of cross-cultural studies increased in the

1940's, The war, in a sense, brought the East and the West

closer together than ever before. Anthropologists and soci-

ologists were employed by their governments to study alien

cultures and .societies. For practical reasons most of these

studies centered upon Japanese culture and society. Repre-

sentative of these studies i iRuth Benedict's The-Chrysanthemum

and the Sword (1946) published during World War II.

Foreign students have long been considered agents of

cultural contact and transmission. Economic and acadexnic

opportunities as well as the elting-pot policy of the United

States have attracted numerous students from all over the

world. After rld War , arge numbers of foreign students

3

caE from such developing areas as Africa, Asia, and the

IVMiddle East.

It is assumed soie foreign students have greater diffi-

cuities in assimilating into American society. It seemss that

the greater the difference between ones culture of oritin

and the host culture, the greater the difficulties he meets

in assimilating into that culture, ?he process of assimil-

ation for Asian students can be difficult, and may affect

their academIc success and their adjustment to the United

States. As a result, the process of adjusting to life in

the United States exers a strong influence on their attitudes

toward tnerican society,

'eview of the Literature

here are t-wo major sources oF studies on foreign students.

Studies have been conducted pertaining to the adjustment of

foreign Wstudents in the United States. The American govern-

ment has funded studies on 'foreAgn students attitudes toward

American socie, the best example of which is the American

J4 7Council on Education 'tudy. Individual scholars or committees

of scholars under the sponsorship of various foundations have

also conducted similar studies. For example, Claire Selltiz

studied foreign students, attitudes and their social relations

4rijCora Du Bois, Forein Students and Hiher Education inte United ates ( 1ashington, D.C , 1956 )

Molm"Wo OWNSAFAMM"I - ---- - -

4

in the United States. 3 In these studies are merely descrip-

tions of the foreign student population in terms of place of

origin, field of study and general reaction to American

society. T followin; works are representat &f th

,ypes of studies; Useem, The Western Educated :an in India

(1935); Bennett, In Search of_ Idenit;y The JaaneseO ver-

seas Scholar in America and Jaan; Sewell, Scandinavian

StudenJs os oarn Auerican CaMus (1961); andScott, The American

Experience 0;i Swedish Students (1956).

The studies listed above commonly view foreign students

from the American point of view. Studies should also be con-

ducted based upon the foreigners' point of view. Otherwise,

a biA in perspective may develop. Studies based only upon

the host country's investigation often fail to do justice to

the foreign culture ad background of the foreign student.

Other studies on foreign students have been limited to

the collection of demographics data and general responses to

attitude qu stions. Few studies have focuse on the adjust-

ment process of foreign students, Even fewer studies explore

the underlying factors involving foreign students ad justment.

The investigator was unable to locate any existing studies

which pertan to the foreign students' type of affiliation

and to their identification with American society.

5 Claire Christ, Selltiz and others, Attitudes and Social1ations of t ritn tdents inthe U.S.A. (inneapolis, 1963).

14- , I

5

'ignificance of This Study

"he Vietnam tar once again made the government and

people of the United State more aware of Asia, especially

Comunist China. Oriental philosophy and other aspects of

Oriental culture are receiving more attention in the

United States than ever before. Also, in 1972, mainland

China ,as formally recognized by the United Nations, and

formal diplomatic relations have resumed between the American

and the Chinese 5 overnmens. It is evident that China will

continue to play a crucial role in the American foreign

policy in the future. Needless to say, studies on the

Chinese people will be beneficial to Americans in under-

standing China ani Chines e culture.

Practically speaking, Chinese students i nthe United

States are in a process of assimilation into American culture

and society. "ialadjustrent may cause problems for the for-

eign students themselves as well as for the American society.

It is interesting to note that the number of Chinese students

coming to the United States is increasing. However, at the

same time, a rather low but stable rate return to their home-

land. Thus, the proportion of Chinese students on American

campuss z has been growing a an increasing rate. Chinese

communities on each campus, to some extent, determine Chinese

students' affiliation and identification with American

society. At schools with large Oriental communities, a

6 Youth' service Report (Taipei, Taiwan, 1973),

ffi p .- Ill ,, 1 ", ---- ? -,6060- -%1 -

6

ChinesE student may find it easier to adjust. or perhaps may

be more resistant to change,

,hen reviewing previous studies on foreign students, one

notices that there are few studies about the adjustment process

of Chinese students. INo study has ever been conducted on the

relationship between Chinese students' affiliation with their

countrymen and Amer..icans and .their identification with Ameri-

can society. The purpose of this study is to investigate-the

relationship between these two variables.

In a country having a large number of foreign students,

it is worthwhile to conduct ;careful and systematic studies on

Chinese students' type of affiliation and their identification

with American Society.

Hypotheses

Affiliation

.he first time a Chinese student arrives in the United

$tates, he has to face a culture completely different from

his own. As aany previous social psychology studies have

shown, people feel uncertain and insecure when they suddenly

move into a new physical and social environment.7 Normally,

under this situation, they eagerly seek helpful information

in order to resolve the feelings of uncertainty and insecurity.

seeking help, people compare themselves with others'

expectations; comparison most often occurs between people of

7 Jonatha.n L. Freedman and others, social Psychology(Englewood Cliffs, Niew Jersey, Prentice-Hall, 1970) p. 24.

7

similar characteristics. Obviously, Chines studets who

have just arrived in the United States are more likely to

compare themselves with their countrymen thAn with Americans.

In order to obtain information useful for adjustment to

the new environment, it is reasonable to argue that at North

Tiexas State University, Chinese students actively seek other

Chinese students' help upon their arrival in Denton, Texas.

Thus, gossip among Chinese students usually consists of infor-

mation arel ate dto personal situations. They are eager to

know what the rest of the rhinese students in Denton are doing

and how other People will .adjust when faced with siilar

diticu]ties. Comparison based on newly arrived Chinese

students' uncertainty and insecurity in living in a new envi-

ronument becomes a main factor which binds Chinese students

together. Other potential psychological factors, such as

Chinese students' Sense of superiority about Chinese culture,

and the political Ppositions of aiwan and Bong Kong, compel

Chinese students to form a subcommunity of there ow.

It is obvious that Chinese students studying in the

Uni-ed tates should develop two types of affiliatiois with

other Chinese and wth imercieans. The en hypobiho;a which

olo are based upon the asumption that the differences in

Chinese students' type of affiliation with their countrymen

or with Americans will be related to their identification

with t lheAmerican society.

$3

yptheis Iewlya rrived hinese students affiliate

more with other hinese students.

Chinese students feel mos t uncertain and insecure during

he poeri)d o time following their arrival in Arerica. Thus,

nely arr ived Chinese students should show a strong tendency

to affiliate with other Chinese students.

ypothesis II: Chinese students develop closer rela-

t1onships vith other Chinese than with Americans.

Chinese students have a tendency to compare themselves

with eac.h other. Since Comparison which leads to affiliation

is not Likely developed among people a similar cnarcter-

istics, Chinese students should develop closer relationships

wit other Chinese than with Am-nericans.

y*othesis IIIs Chinese students prefer to live closer

to other Chinese students.

Chinese students show their preference for affiliation

with other Chinese by their selection of housing, ost

Chinese students want to live near each other and to be more

closely related to the center of the Chinese community in

Dentmn,

Hypothesis 2: Chinese students prefer to have Chinese

roommates.

Because of the great cultural difference, Chinese students

in the United States should prefer other Chinese students as

roommates in order to achieve effective comparison.

9

Jypothesis V- T Karie inese students living with their

ltners in the United States affiliate less with Americans.

carried Chinese couples probably associate more with other

married Chinese couples; therefore, they have fewer oppor-

tunities to associate with other non-Chinese students,

Hypothesis V: Students from Hong Kong affiliate more

with Americans than do students from Taiwan.

lost students from Hong Kong have had more contact with

westerners than have Laiwan students. Their previous expe-

rience should help them to adjust quickly in America and to

iitiate more American friendship,.

Hyothesis VII: younger Chinese students affiliate more

with Americans than do older C hinese students.

Thespersonalities of younger Chinese students are more

adaptable than are those of older Chinese students. Therefore,

it should be easier for them to adjust to a new environment

than it is for older Chinese students.

ypothesis VIII Chinese students with ?evtern friend-

ship experiences before their arrivals in the United States

affiliate iore with Americans.

Previous associations with western friends offer Chinese

students an understanding of western ways of life which should

increase their tendency to affiliate with Americans,

the following hypotheses have been developed regarding

the relationship between affiliation and identification.

............... ...........

10

oriental students in the United States encounter a com-

pletely different society from their own. Their ability to

identify with American society becomes a major factor

affecting their adjustment to this society. immediately

following their arrival, Chinese students undergo a process

of identification which can be viewed as a process of resocial-

izatin in a different society.

1he identification of Chinese students with American

society can be represented by a hierarchy of development. As

Chinese students interact more frequently and intensively

w h America, they develop an American reference group,

Through-this interpersonal contact, Chinese students parti-

cipae in and gradually identity wit' Amnerican society. Wo

Identiyv with this4 socSty, It is expected that most Chinese

students will accept the norms of the American society and

develop favorable attitudes toward it.

Hypothesis IX As-the Chinese students' degree of

affiliation ,ith other Americans increases, their identifi-

catio with the Averican society will also increase.

HyoThesIs X: As the Chinese students' degree of

affiliation with other Chinese increases, their identification

With the American society will decrease.

Summary

T"his chapter has presented the significance and reason

for conductng this study. It is clear from the statement of

the problem that Chinese students' type of affiliation and

11

their idEntiefction Vith American society are variables for

study. Toward this goIl, ten hypotheses have been formulated.

CA T 1R ii

n+roduction

This chapter Is designed to present the procedures of

the research and includes definition of terms, methods of

data collecion, sample description and statistical pro-

cedures.

Deinition of Terms

Chinese students, as a t erm, should be defined culturally

ratherthan politically. T hus, students from Hong Ifong and

Tafian are considered Chinese students. They are students

enrolled at north lexas <tate University holding foreign stu-

dent visas, or the convenience of conducting interviews,

th ci nwesigator select >d - hid s;-,u-nts ho ive in Dentn

Texas. 'to obtain a sample for this study, the investigator

used vthedirectory of Chinese students published by the Chinese

Student Association of lor Texas State University, Denton,

1 ex.as .

Acfiliation, represents a preference for frequent and

intensIve interpersonal interaction. The degree of affili ation

in this investigation refers to expressed preference for phy-

siCal and interpelsonal intimacy. Physical con t act refers to

pr1eLIrene xor rocmmates. oinimacy refers to the reference

fo closer interpersonal contact with another.

12

13

____en TKiOn is a part o the resocialization process

whereby 1hinese Students incorporate the values and standards

of American society. The degrees of identification can be

represented 'by favorable a 0d positive attit udes toward the

norms and values of he American society.

AssKimflW tion takes lace when Ch'inese students adopt

American values and norms and identify with American culture.

Position on the hierarchy of assimilation indicates the ad-

justment of Chinese students to American society.

Values are society's abstract, eneralized principles of

behavior toward which Chinese students feel a strong, posi-

tive emotional I commitment. alues provide for them a standard

of judgingspecific acts and Ioals, :orms are set s of

expected rules or standards of behavior as defined by the

American society. These norms determine wha behavior is to

be consdered socially acceptable. Attitudes refer to Chinese

students' orientation toward certain objects or situations

maniiesing -!-heir spoeciic expression of a value or belief

about toerican society.

.yL).e thery refers to a framework presented by Sewell

and Davidsen (1961) which discusses three stuagCes in the

sequence of foreign students, adjustment to American society.

ohe fir stag-te takes place when foreign students first

arrive 3_n th1e United $tates. At that stage, they possess a

strung avorable attitude toward American society. In the

second stage, a decline occurs in foreign studen-' favorable

14

attitudes. In th iird stage, foreign students recover

theIr avorable attitudes toward Americans by engaging in

actual contact with the host society.

ForeiAn students in an alien land will be exposed to

the process or. assimilation. They may move toward or away

from assimilation. vany studies point out that the degree

of assimilation is primarily determined by the foreign stu-

dents, attitudes toward the host country.

Collection of Data

The data supporting this study was collected in arch, 1974.

Fifty-three Chinese students were randomly selected from the

Chinese Student Directory and interviewed in their place of

residence. The respondents were questioned and interviewed

using a structured questionnaire, The interviews were con-

ducted in both English and Chinese. (See Appendix)

The questionnaire enabled the researcher to test the

basic hypotheses. The questionnaire was divided into three

parts. ,he first part includes questions regarding the respon-

dents' backgrround. The second contains questions indicating

the respondentsI affiliation with other Chinese and Americans.

Thu third consists of questions on the respondents identi-

ficatIJon with American society.

Background information repring he respondents ,

sxi, maital status, length of stay, place of oriin, and

Jah daVarie and others, research ;ethods in SocialIeiations (New York, 1967), pP. o7-572.

15

previous eperience in associaing with Westerners was

collected. Questions Indicating the respondents' affili-

ation preference were used to contruct an index based upon

the degree of preference in associating with Chinese or

with Americans. ihe respondents' degree of identification

with Amerian society was determined by questions constrasting

the norms and values of Awerican society and Chinese society.

he procedures for obtaIning scores on these questions will

be discussed later.

EDescripion of the Sample Population

Place of Oriin

;his section is chiefly concerned with the demographic

description or the sample which consists of fifty-three

Chinese students. ,n the sample -ore students were al e

than female, and more were from Taiwan t han from Hong Kong,.

These results are Indicated in Tablo 1.

TABTL I

FREU TE Y Y DISTRIBUiTI OF POPULATION iBYS AND PLACE OF 0'OGIN

Hometown tale Female iota1

Hong c Kong411 6 (35 17 (100/o)

26 (72;) 10 '28>) 36 (100/)

Tota] 37 (69) 16 (3i,) 53 ( 10OA)

C)1

arital tatuss

ie majoritv of the Chinese students were single. Of

the Chinese students who were mar rie, h1 aio of males to

females was six to one. Thus, males were more likely to be

married than femaIcs, althog I most of the males of this

sample wre single.

T1'AB3LE II

F JREQUEY DITRIBUTION 7 POPULATION BY2EX AND K ARITAL 'STATUB

trital Status Wale F e male Total

ingle 23 (627) 13 (38/) 36 (100/)

arrived 12 (86/) 2 (1 ) 14 (100/)

Spouse at home 2 (100') 0 2 (100K')

Separated 0 0 0

Divorced 0 0 0

Total 3 (69) 15 (317) 52 (100/)

\o anser, 1.

Lenth of Stay

In the sample population, more than half of the Chinese

students came to the United states leSs than two years aco.

The male students Interviewed had stayed at least one year

17

to over five years. However, all but one female had been

in the Uni;ed es 1o less than two years.

FREQUENCY IT7RIBUTIO 0ilPPULATIN BYSE ANID LQEGTH OF sTAY

Length o stay L Female Total

0 years 2 ( 40) 3 (60o) 5 (100%)

1 year 8 ( 53%) 7 (47/) 15 (100%)

2 years 7 ( 59i6) 1) 12 (100%)

3 yea.1 5 ( 84) 1 (169 6 (100/)

4 years 6 (100>) 0 6 (100/)

5 years or mor- 5 (100/) 0 5 (100%)

Lotal 33 ( 6) 16 (32; ) 49 (I00ya)

No answer, 4 males,

A e

gardles of sex, the ages of the samples for this study

are concentrated in the mid- and late-twenty age group. lore

female than ,ale students re in their mid-twenties. ,ale

students are more evenly distributed in the age groups than

are female students,

18

TABLz IV

FREQUENCY Dl$TII4UIOn OF POPULATION BYS.EX AND AGE

Aale Fenal e Total

9 - 34 10 ( 48 I 527 21 ( 1007)

25 -30 1(7 8 ) (22*) 23 (100%)

31 orabDoe 3 (1007) 0 3 (1007)

al133 ( 69/) 16(31 49 (100/)

Affiliation

The degree o preferences for closeness in interpersonal

relat-onships is measured by an index. A progressive ranking

of closeness s as Cstructed whi included the preference

(1) Jt cha: ith, (2) to vlsit with, (3) to share personal

problems with each other, and (4) to accomapany a member of

the opposite sex to a osoc.al event. As one indicates a pre-

fe-rence fo succeeding closeness in interpersonal relationships,

the hi gher his score on affiliation.

For eac of the categories above, respondents chose a

score from one to five indicating their degree of preference

in associating with -Chineseand Americans. A score of one

19

indicates the lowest preference; a score of five represents

the highest preference for affiliation. A similar procedure

is also used to determine the identification score. A score

of one represents the lowest preference, a score of five

represents the highest preference or identification. There-

fore, for each respondent, two scores are obtained, the

first score representing affiliation with Chinese, and the

second score representing affiliation with Aericans,

The responden s' scores based on affiliation with both

mericans and Chinese, were assigned to a low, medium, or

hich category. likewise, the respondents were also rated

as low, Mediam, or high according to their score for identi-

tication vth American society.

The following tables describe the samples' affiliation

scores with other Chinese by their degree of intimacy in

interpersonal relationships.

Statistical Procedures

In this study Chi square and Gamma tests were used. Chi

square is a test oi the significant aof difference between

two or more quantitative groups.2 Usin6 nominal level data,

Chi square values provide the investigator Ait the ability

to determine the porobability that a relationship exists be-

tween to variables. Gamma values are used with ordinal level

data and provide a measure of t he direction as well as of the

strength of the association among variables.

Jant T. spence and others Elementary Statisticskw York, 1963), 20j

20

TALLE I

REQ EiCY DITRI3JTi0N OF POPULATE\BY AlTILIATI0 VI0H CHINiES E AND

DEGREE OF INTIAY L IN

Indexes Affiliation with Chinese.easuring

ersonalRelationship LOw tedium High Total

Preference to

Chat vithChinese

1 3 (100>) 0 0 5 (100>)

2 4( 57) 3 (43/) 0 7 (I00a)

36 ( 83) 1 (15%) 0 7 (100/)

1 ( 8A) 9 (75>) 2 (17%) I2 (100j

5 2 ( 9>) 5 (23 15 (68%) 22 (10(io

Total 1 ( 34/) 11(3 j3

refiere.c to/1t1 Wit h

Chinese

1 3 ( 75 ) 1 (257) 0 4 (100a)

7 ( 77%) 2 (23> ) 0 9 (10o%)

7 ( 581a) 3 (23) 2 (171o) 12 (100/)

B 10 (67%) 5 (33/) 13 (1007)

5 0 2 (167) 11 (84%) 13 (100%)

Do al 17 7(32 18 (34) 1J8 5317

21

3L v--jontinued

indexes aiLlIation with Chinese,easuringPe sonalRelti Bnshir ILw 4 edlum iih otad

SharePersoInaProblemswith inese

2

3

4"0t a 1

Preference toAccompany aChinese ofOpposite:ex to a

0ical event

-3

5

0osa

(100/0)

/ 6o )

( 18%)

18 ( 37&

5<( 71>)

4( 24%)

4 ( 50%)

0

ft 3 2d)

2 (25>)"

3 (30)

7 (64%)

6 (301)4

1j 3 4r ---- ;

2 (29)

2 (;3%)

10 (A9)

4 (50>)

2 (12;)1

20 (37%)

0

0

1 (10)

2 (18/)

14 (7%)

17 (32%)

0

0

3 (17<)

0

13 (88)

(100%)

8 (10<)

10 (100/b)

11 (100/)

20 (100 )

53 (100%)

7 (100/)

6 (100%)

17 (100A)

8 (100/)

15 (100)

53 (100y)

4

6

6

2

0-. 1.L-

CHPTr III

ANALYSIS OF THE DATJA

This chapter tests ten hypotheses regarding the rela-

tionship between Chinese students' affiliation with other

Chinese or with Americans aid their identification with

AMerican society. These hypotheses can be measured according

to the degree of intimacy in interpersonal relationships, as

wells to such demographic factors as the respondents' mari-

tal status, , and length of stay in the United States.

Hypothesis Is Length of Stay andAffiliation with Chinese

T he first hypothesis states that Chinese students who

have arrived in Denton within the last twelve months show a

strong affiliation with Chin se students, TPhe null hypoth-

esis to be tested is that there is no relation between the

Chinese students' degree of affiliation with other Chinese

ard their length of stay in the United States. Table VI

shows the results of testing the first hypothesis.

Th 0hi square (X2) did not reach the .001 level; there-

fore, the null hypothesis cannot be rejected. The association

between these two variables is equal to .219, which indi-

cates a weak proportional reduction in error. Therefore,

the research hypothesis is rejected.

22

23

T1AiLE VI

AFFILIATION WITH CHEESE ACCORDINGTO LENGTH OF STAY

Length of Stay

.Less th--anone year

1 year

2 years

3 years

4 years

Over 4- yVearYs

TOl -e.:cs

Affiliation with Chinese

Low

3

7

5

2

(60%)

(46/)

(42%)

(Irt%)

(4'%)

1 3/)

0

4

5

2

3

2

(27%)

(4 /)

(33 )

(50)

(40/)rr -

16 (3%)

2

4

2

3

3

*1

(40/)

(27%)

(16,)

(50%)

(50/)

(20;')

15 (324)

Total

15

12

6

6

5

(100%)

(100%)

(100/0)

(100%)

(10 o%)

(1boX)

49 (100 )

ho an sw e],4

p = .30r = .219

Lost of the respondents came to th 1 Unite states within

-he last two years, Secifically, twenty-seven of the respon-

dents Came to the United States within the last year. It

appears that the samples were not distributed widely enough

by length of residence to 1llustra e the relationship between

h inese students' length of stay and their degrees of

iliaon with other Chinese students,

L

H4igh

Chinese students have long been encouraged by their

society to study abroad, especially in the United States.

Af-ter receiving secondary or undergraduate educations in

their own country, Chinese students view education in the

United States as a means of improving their own as well as

their family social status. Post foreign students hold

an opTi.istic attitude toward study in the United States and

have a -avorable itpression of ATierican society and culture.

ihus, before their actual contact with this society,

they hold favorable attitudes which encourage associating

with Americans, tewell and Davidsen's study of Scandinavian

students' adjustment on American university campuses is pre-

sented in terms of cycles in the social relations between

the foreign student and the Aierican student. The par-ti

cular reactions of the 6candinavian students toward American

society ihen they are in the first stage of the cycle of

adjustment, are described as having "very favorable impressions

of American friendliness and hospitality during the first

week of the sojourn when perhaps Americans were going out of

their way to be kind to the visitors.",1 If we can generalize

from this study, it is predicted that most foreign students

develop friendly relations with Americans when they first

arrive in the United States. Therefore, newly arrived

Chinese students may be expected to affiliate more with

Arericans than with other Chinese upon their arrival.

'1-'iLliam H. Sewell and Oluf Davidsen, Scandinavian Students

On an American Camus (pi'napolis, 1961), p. 33.

25

Hypothesis I1: hinese tdents DevelopCloser Relationships With Other

Chinese than with Americans

The second hypothesis staes that Chinese students

develop closer relation ships with other Chinese than with

At ercas. The null hypothesis to be tested is tha, frorn

all indications, hinese students do not prefer to affiliate

more with Chinesei than with AierIcans. t esuIts &re

shown n1 1als 1V, III, TX, and ),

TABtE VII

DEGREE OF AFILIATIO WITH H3EE BYPRFEIREN ICE 1jT 0 CHI-TAT 7'vWITH HIEL

------ --7---

Degree of Pre- Affiliation with Chineseference t__o Chatwith hinsfJese

tow [ edium hig J Total4--

2

0 1

= 6.28.001

5

4

6

1

2

(100/)

( 577)

( 8%)

9;)

0

5 (23/)

1 (i5>)

9 (75/)

S( 2 36 )

0

0

0

2

15

(17/)

(68/)A / ~ -.

1I (36 )I 17 (131/

5

7

7

12

22

I ~

(100%)

(100/)

(i005)

(100>)(loo )

(1002)[ 53JL

18j (33 )

26

atti intiates personalrelat Und a i3 ak, e P a a a ewati K

in afliliation with certain People. able VII shows

the relationship between Chinese students degree o prefer,

ence for cha-2 ing with and their degree of affiPaion wit

Cines stdnts. Thc 2 reaches t he .001 level, she null

hypothess Is thus, rejected. The association bewee- these

two variables is 84, which indiaes a strong proportional

reduction'in error. Therefore, the research hypothesis is

a cceted.

TfABLE VIII

I I I VHI EDEGREE OF PREIFEREiCE TO VISIT

THJJ TIKHER CH

erE&nc to

h1 res

2

X2

jilp2 ,001r 846

filiation with Chinese

Uediu

- --- '-- --- -

3

7

C)

(77)

(77%)

(5 9)

17 (2%

2

3

10

2

(25>;)

(2>)

(25/)

(671)

16 )

18 ([dp>")

High

0

0

2 (7%)

5 (39s)

11 (84>),

41

9

12

15

13

Total

(100>)

(00A)

(100%)

(100%)

18 %34%)<(100%)

I *r"*" ie5 3 00'

Th degree 1 o ffilIPf ton between Chinese students can

be measured also by their degre of preference to visit+with

eah ter. Te results of Table VIII indicate che testing

of hypotwhess two. The Chi square is significant at the .001

leave; L he nul hy pothess 13 s thus re jected. T Gamm valu

.46 indicates that a strong relationship exists between

these t-wo variablies. herefore, the research hypothesis is

TAB , I

DEGEE<OF AFFILIATIIK 71TH 0HINESEiBY TDEGREEOF PR1RECth HA RE 0 NE'S

POLN 0IH'HR HNS

Preference tohare PersonaIproblems with

'hiyese

2

S J

4

)

?ii' =3.25

.001r .873

Affili'aton ith Chinese

Low Kediu m Igh 1ota1

4 (100-) 0 0 4 (100%)

6 ( 75") 2 (25>) 0 8 (100%)

6 ( 6) ) (30/) 1 (100) 10 (100>)

2 ( 18> )7 (64<) 2 (%) 11 (100%)

0 6 (30) 14 (70/) 20 (1007)

O (I 18 (34/,) 17 (32/) D3 (100%)

23

hrtin personal problems is also a measure of inter-

personal affiIia t ion. The X2 sttthe001A.is 51igiIcant h

leve; thereiCore, the null hypothesis is rejected at the

.05 level. he Gama value .873 ndicates stro r rela-

ijOsip between t hese variables. T'hereor, , the research

hyp oThesis is acc ep-d

A]RFFI TLIAI OIT 11HT1\HI1E 3E BY TE DE GREENO .PREFEREICE.0 TO AC002PAY rAHINEiE OF THE OPPOSITE SEX

TO A ICIAL EVNT

$Preerenc to AfiAAccompanyChinese to asocial Event Low

2 4. ( r7\) 2

= 001= 29

4 (24)

4 5%)>

0

17 (2/)%

I10

4

2

Iiation

(297)

(33%)

(591')

'13%)

with Chinese

High!...

0

0

3

0

13

(17 )

(87%)

Total

7 (1007)

6 (10oj)

17 (100)

8 (100/)

15 (1007)

20 116 (31) 53 (1007)

ersona1 relationhips involving two persons of the

op-osi-e, sex are considered more intmate than relationships

I

ww""

29

between friends of the same sex. Table IX shows the assoc*i

ation between Chiinese s t udents' degree of affiliation with

other Chinese a nd their p reerence to accomypany Chinese of.

the opposite sex to social events. he is significant

at ie .001 level; therefore, the null hypothesis is rejected.

The 'amm(sa value .729 shows a s pro yroportional reduction

in error, therefore, the research hypothesis is accepted.

The application of statistical measurement Gamma to this

hyPothesis indicates that the strongest association is be-

(,eIn chinese students' degree of affiliatio with other

hines oand their preference to share rersoial problems with

other Chinese (r = 873). strong sociations also exist

between the preference to visit with other Chinese (r =.846)

and to cha Lith other Chinese (r = .339)Y The weakest

assoxiation is found between affiliation score with other

?i s and pr-eerence in ateniincg social event wit members

01 the opposite sex (x = .?3).7

ypothes is IT: Th1ines e Students Prefer to

Live Closer to Other Chinese Students

The third hypothesi s that Chinese students pre-

fer P live close to other Chinese students. The null

hypothesis to be tested is that Chinesc students do not

prefer to live close to other Chinese students. The results

are shon in a Alds XIl and IIl

30

TALE XI

T ELATION WItt 0CHIVEE

BY fTVI7G PROXIMITY

Pr eernce toLive lose withBhine s within

alkngDistance

2

2

I = 497y

o t

30

tAfi'iation with Thinese

I

0

9

Low

(1o0%)

(

/

31;)

45 )

I ~

19 ( 36)3

Nedium

0

0

6 (31%)

6 (30%)

2 33%)

'6 (30%)

High

0

0

10

5

3

I

(38%)

(25

(50%)

l (3P)M

Total

I

0

26

20

6

(100%)

(100%)

(10Q )

13 (100%)

Shows the relationship etzeen Shines sdents

degree of afiliatxon with Chinese and their attitude toward

i1Ai 1it hin waingdisncre of oth er rhinese. Tabto beoI

oresnts a silax: relatonship aFter a year's residence an

ah United States. the .1 tsts reaol the .90 level and 70

level spect velly n Tloab J ansd ;II.d Therefore, the

iidBns fail to reject the null IhypoThesis at the .50 level.

0 sini0a reLationshapa exst be-ween hinese students

degree of aftiliation and their attitudes toward living with-

1n Wang distance of other Chines Similar conclusions

*00.k*w7r-IL.- I---L.-.L---. 1 .0- - -- . 1

31

esurt pertainu to 0; hinese who have resided in the United

7tatcs m ore thanone year. Thus, research hypothesis three

cannot be accepted.

A FLIT10\ ITH ICHIFIIESE Iy IVINGI ITY AFTERE"YEAR

OFREIEE

Preference -to.Live eithhn>ns e Wih*1in

WTalk' ing Disc-tanc eter One Year

of Residence

2

3

4

to tal

-Y. /Y 01

p = 70r = L74:

ffiliaion with hinese

Low

0

3

9

0

(100%)

( 32>)

( 36%)

119 36)

Medium

0

0

10

6

0--

(34)

(32)

1f6 )0/

High

0

0

10

6

2

(:34%)

(32%)

(100%)

18 (34%t)

Total

0

3 (100/)

29 (100"")

19 (100/ )

2 (100%)

iiypothsis 7 : Preference to HaveCinese Roommate and Affiliation

ith Chinese

The :ourth hypothelsis states that ChInese stuants pre-

ier t hav Cninese 1ooimrates. Phe null hypothesis to be

53 (100%)

* N|Il I s i e

~~~~~~~ --+ I-- T

32

testec is that Chinese students do not refer Chinese room-

miatOs The results of hypothesis 'our are shown iLn

TIA:LE III1

01T IlH HE 10iBY PREFERENCE0 Fl'CHIN"ESE TROOD'-MAliTE

)referene tolHave hnsR-oomrate

2

4

2 6

p =1.001r =.752

A filiation with Chinese

4

56

1

0

(66>)"

( 63/)

( 8/;)

.edium

5

2

(17/)

(25)

(67; )

(14>)

High____________ I

3

12

(17/)

(12>)

( 8>)

(25%)

(8 6>)

Total

6

8

12

12

14. r .r .. r .. .. .. ..

16 (30) 18 (35C&5) 18 (35%) 52

(100/)

(100/)

(100)

(100>)

(100/)

(100%)

The Lindings of hyp ohes1suwo and hypothesis four

mutually support each other, These findings are easily

exp ainLred by the fact that Chinese students share 0he same

culture, face simiLar problem of adjustment to tortan

life, qave similar financial needs and would prefer to live

with oher Chinese.

1 -04, . W

33

t h the finding s of hypohesi, four as a background,

hypothesis thee can be further explained by assuming that

respondents construc-ted their answs i spite of their re-

ference to choose Chir'se roomates.

Hypothesis V; arital Status andAffiliation with Chinese

Th f h hrpothesis states that married Chinese students

who LIve with their partners will affiliate less with Amer-

,cans than will single Chinese students. The nul hypothesis

to be "tbtod is that marital status is not related to Chinese

students af ilaIon with Americans.

A1"FILI A1 0 IlTA AE&I' tAW sY MARITAL STATUTE

aria c& talus

o ua

o answrL

1.806a =7.0

Afiliation with kner1cans

Low iedioum igh To -tar' 4 --

18 (29>)

7 (50/)

TF o7)

13

3

(36 )

(221)

12

4

(35/)

(28)

16 (32/)

36

14;

(1004)

(100>)

50 (100/f6 (32 )

table xi illustrate the relation between the marital

su us of Chinese students and their affiliation with Amer

icans. The i value has an associated )robability of .)O,

thus US 111ng to reject the null hypothesis. Apparently,

there is no significant reLationship between Chinese students'

marital staus and their degree of affiliation wit--h Americans,

One reason for this finding may be that, regardless of their

ma:rilal st s, al Chinese students have a raher low score

Of atfIliti t w r With Americans. Besides, it is generally

r eco gnizd hat most hinese students hold rather conservative

atItudes$ oward .s As. s a result, single Chinese students

end to affiliate more often with friends of the same sex

anback. ground thus reducing their prospective affiliatio

th Amerious. ;zeover, it is assumed- that differences

exist abeeen the affiliation of Chinese students and type

of interaction with Americans according to marital status,

Hawsver, since this study is concerned witih the degree rather

Ian t 'nhe type of affiliation, hypothesis five must be

Jreected.

Hypothsis KV Place ow Origin anAifiliaron with Ameri cans

yt') ihes-s six states that ong Kon students will affil-

iate nmrithi, Americans han will Taiwan students. TIhe nul

hypotesis to be tested is t1hat students om dong Kong cd

-aiwan afi'ia -e wi-ll Ane rIcans to the saime degree.

wMMWI

3

35

TAB3LE 'X v

AFILITJ-CION WITH AEIAN 0A'CCDIG T0CHE TTUDEHTI PLACE OF ORIUL I

J,. a ce o in

AA

npa

Total

S=41

Afiillation with Amnericans

Low Led!iium High Total

16 (45; ) 11 (30) 9 (25) 36 (100>)

3 (18) 6 (35/) 8 (47A'') 17 (100;)

19( 17 (32) 17 (3) 33 (100%)

ablD J Vhas r X2avalue at the . 10 level, which fails to

Ge e null hyp'othesis a' the .0) level. Apparently,

hereJis no significant relationship between-hinese students'

p;aCm o origanan! Leir aflfiliation with American friends.

n his study, students ,fron Hon K;-ong ado not extend

hLne of frendsi p with Amnericans to an e extent that

df'ers significa-ly fro tha t of students from Taiwan. This

xidin w as surprising s sudents from Hong Kong yhave long

b"en considered as more "esternized and more fluent in their

use OGl E0 lih than are the students osrom Tian. Perhaps

s'ude.nrtsf rom Long long, a. 1hough superfCall"'y familiar with

-estern culture, still bear Chi nese aultural charaoterjsties

and pr fer to a"fiiia 4te wit Chinese,

36

H;pothm s VII; Age and Affiliationwith Auericans

H ypohesis seven states that younger Chinese students

il ai iate 1rmore wth mericans than will older Chinese

students. Th c. null hyPOhesis to be teste is that the age

of the Chinese students has no earin g upon their affili-

ation wvih Americans.

1-1B XVI

AhILIJTION 7 IH AtERICAt2 BY AGE

AfiliLatio with Americans

LOw edium Hih total

19 - 24

25 - 30

over 31

TI~tal4

4 (2/)0

11 (46>)

3 (60)

1 )

8

8

0

(40)

(33%)

8

~2

( 4 a0;!)

(21/)

(40%)

20

24

5

(100%)

(100%)

(1 00%)

~r-- tI ----

l. (3 3) 15 (31/) 49 (100/)

No anisv.7e r, 4

= 6,2);= .20

Tale"VI has an Xvalue at the .20 level; therefore,

the nuull hypothesis is not rejected at the .50 level. Appar-

ent-ly, here is no significant relationship between the age

f Chinese students and their affi1ulon wi th American friends.

oOA

37

he results shonI may not be entirely Conclusive, since

the sample for this study was composed of students aged in

the mid- or late-twenties. These age differences do not

vary sign~ificantyenough-to illustrate -their relationship

with the affiliation variable.

it as long been assumed that younger foreign students

will adjust more readily to life in the United States. How-

ever, a study by Oora Du Bois indicated that the younger

oDeix students are, the greater is their risk of alien-

aUion. 2 To avoid alienation rom their own culture and

society, younger Chinese students may actually withdraw from

further affiLiation with Americais. On the other hand,

older Chinese students may have a slower process of affil-

iation wi-th Americans, but it is a Constant process. Their

chance of alienation is inuch lees than that of the younger

hinse students An a rsut, hinesn students' affiliation

wth Amercans is unrelated to age.

n

Other studies 1-ndIcate that age is nou significantly

related to the adjustment of foreign students during their

stay in Amneria. Sewell and Datvidsen(1961), for exaIple,

ound no rela tion between the ag of foreign students and

their academic adjustment or degree o] satisfaction..

or Du Bois, oreisn: Studen-s and HilherEducation intn. tUiiQ tates, (ashingt-on, D 0.C, 1956), p. 90.

uslaire >hri, Sel tiz and others, Attitudes an ocialRelations-" Foreign Stuents in the United States(inneafpois, 1963), P. 258,

WA --. WO

HypottsIS VIII: Previous Experiene withesern Friend and Affiliation

h IAmericans

Kypothes'is eight states that hinse students having

had Iestern rien pIrevius to their arrival in the United

'Statesvwl Iaffiit 10 v With Americans, The null hypoth-

sis wo ne uetd is uthatlprevious Iendships with

t erners d o e snot determine the degree of affiliation of

hinese students iKth Amricans. Table XV I indIcates the

results.

TABLE VII

A FIIAIOi\ ITH h AERIOANS" 3Y PRVIO>UFL1 T DSI VP TH1 WTE1NE

Previousexperience Affitiat ion uith Americanswit NY esteriewndIII

Low jPCediun Hi 1 ghTotal

es 3 (32) 5 (32') 3 (32%) 11 (100.)

(38/) 12 (29") 14 (337) 42 (100%)

2iffi19 W Li )t 17 (32 17( ) 53(100%)

The X value is a h .- 001 level; the nul npothesis

Is rejected. A significant relationship exists between Chi-

ne students' degree of afiliaton with Americans and their

previous association 4th 7s nfiends

39

A study by Claire C Ietiz reveaIs that students who

have had experiences with people 'rom different countries

Will more readily establish relations with Americans.

Especially among Asians, those with previous foreign expe-

riences scored higher on interaction with Americans. orri5

came .o the same conclusion.

Some conclusions can be drawn regarding Chinese students

who have had previous experiences with Western friends. Tn

general, they should have a better understanding of Americans

and American society and should be more willing to develop

friends ips with Americans. Therefore, the experience of

having had Western friends prior to their arrival in the

Uited states appears to be significantly related to the

Chinese students' degree of affiliation with Americans.

Hypothesis X: Affiliation with Americansand Identification with the

American Society

Hypothesis nine states that as Chinese students'

affiliation with Americans increases, their identification

with Aerican society wII also increase The null hypoth-

esis to be tested is tha there is no relationship between

the aiuliation of Chinese students with Americans and

their identification with the host society.

laire Christ, SelItiz and others, Attitude and SocialRelations of i'orin Students in the United States(iTinneapolis, 193), 774

5Richard T.I ris, Th o. a irror :National StatusnForei2n StudentsI iAdusteT (inneapolis, 1960), P. 76,

40

TABLE V II I

AFFILIATTO 111ITHAERICAN3 BY THE DEGtEE OFIDENTIFICATION WILH A D- ERICAN SOCIETY

A ffIlia jt io n Identification with the American Societywtth

Afferlcans

Low tedium High Total

Ow 2 (10) 7 (37%) 10 (53/) 19 (100/)

Med ium 7 (41/) 6 (35) (24/) 17 (1000)

Hig h 8 (47) 9 (53%) 0 17 (10No)

Total 17 (32k') 22 (41)14 (27/) 53 (1007

2A = 14. 253

= -. 725

Table XIII illustrates values a' the .001 level; thus,

the null hypothesis must be rejected. The Gamma test (r =-.725)

shows hat a strong but negative relationship exists between

Chinese students' degree of afIliation with Americans and

their degree of identification with the society. These findings

ifght be explained as follows; hinese students come from a

less industrialized society where emp hasis is placed upon

primary personal ) relationships and strong family organiza-

tion. Chinese st'udencs are not accuse omed to the American way

of life and have dif erent interpretaions of friendship.

1hey often eel that Americans are more sophisticated; yet

are disappointed n 5nheir association with Americans. Also,

Chinese students often associate with Americans who hold

unfavorable attitudes toward American culture and society.

According to bIorris, the particular tjpe of Amricans a

tore n student picks as friends are often those who do not

like m terican culture or, ho are critical o it,. 6 Thu, it

is possible for a Chinese student to nhave strong affiliation

wiT A0erica ria and still maintain a low identification

with American sociEty,

; anould benoted that the sample used for this study

is Comp osed prirnar-ily o' Chinese students who have lived in

the United31tates from one to three years. Therefore, the

ajorili of this sample find themselves in c second si-

of the cycle theory. flewell and Davidsen observed in the

second level of ireig-n students' adjustment to American

society,

reaction of disappointment and term porary withdrawalatern several weeks when -he tudents discovered thatnlerican friendliness and hospitality had somewhatdifferent meaning than similar behavior would have

had a hom,; this disappointment resulted in theLeling tal Americans were superfiial in thair

homan 'iel1s sstudy -peaaining to Indian students also

In @ic-t a decrease in favorable attitudes toward Americans

afte thGe ey had been in the United -atates for more than a year,

Ric.Ihard T. orris, The jTwo jay inror : LtionJlatui io ohm Students jusmpnt (inneapolis, 1960), p 76,

illiam n , (ee I and Oluf Davidsen, candinavian dOr ?a- ca Caam-us ('inneapolis, 1961), p. o5

5,qFM,--, T"

244

42

after sPeirndi some 1ime here, an average offifteen Ionths, the students have opinion whichInI tcate that for the majority disillusionmentand disappointment have colored their experience,Th'efigures illustrate the downVard curve of theira-pproval. Before arrival here, 68 percent hadmarkedly favorable opinions of the United States;aiter they had been here a short while, 89 percentthought well a-f their host nation. But afterliving here from four to forty months, only 22porcen t were still avorably inclined in their

mtItudes to the United States, iftVy-sevenpercent held decidely unfavorable opinions. Anadditional 21 percent had "mixed" views, whicheans that the favorable impressions dwindled

om 89 p eent to 22 percent between the timethe students had their first glimpse of thiqcountry and the time they were intervie-ed.8

Since the majority of those chosen for this sample are

Chinese studnts in their second period of"adjustment in

the Unlted states, they are likely to oe ress avorablo

towardso ercan society than when they arrived or than

later afler the adjustient cycle is completed.

1Hypothesiis X Affiliation with Chinese andTdentificationa with American societyy

HypothssIs ten states that when Chinese students'

afiliation with other Chinese increases, their identification

with Amierican society decree, ses. The null hypothesis to be

tested is that there is no significant relationship between

Chinese studentsl affiliation with other Chinese and their

identi>ication with American society.

Is Table IX illustrates, the 2 value reaches the ,001

level; the null hypothesis must thus be re ejected, The Gama

8Cora Du Bois, oreicn Studentbs and Hiher Education in

the United >tates. (Washington, D.C., 1956), p. 69-70.

Ces (r .6978) demonstrats conclusively that, as ChineseSUlents' 0dgree of affiliation with other Chinese increases,

heirident ifiJcationwith Americansocie ty also increases.

he findings based upm hypothesis nine substantiate thefact that Chinese students ho identy with American societyto a lowe'er drea aff_ ilia with other Chinese and develop

mor select~ ivT Iends' withp Americans.

AFFILLIASJ TION WITH CHEESE BY T1HEE 7"OF5f IDETIFIAQIO\T

ITH A ERICA1 lSCIETy

Alfiatlon. Idenitifcation wi ththe Am'erican Society

hi ne -

e d-IU.Hgh T otal

Lo11 ((1 5 (27% 2 (12/) 18 (100/)ed "uI 6 (33o) 9 (50) 3 (17 ) 18 (100%)

ih 0 8 (4 ) 9 (537-) 17 (100/)

2(23 (27 ) 53

001- = 6978

Quit Url difrnces and Connunication difficulties

motiv a -0hinese sudensA to associate with other Chinesec tad nD vyooasloc v rnore a easeih wThorm t fLO m-bri at sa I assumed that such

ffiiiation f'uLnishes Chlrnese students with satisfactionl,

which eventualy induces Chinese studenrts to initiate more

seLective American friendships and to participate e in and to

Identify with American socIety. As this process repeats

itse , Itvorat attitudes toward the Anerican society will

eventually result9

Summary

The applica ioni of s tatistical procedures to ten

hy potheses indicate the following results;

Hypothesis one was rejected. there is no significant

niationship: btoeen. rnely-arrived Chinese students and their

a iiatjon with other Ch inse, the result of hypohse

two and or are artistically significant They indicate

hat Chinese students preer to develop closer relationships

there Chinese t han ith Awericans . A1so, Chinese

stuwents prferr Chinese roommates over Aiierican roommates,

typothesis three shond be rejected since the findings

indicCte that Chinese students do not, however, prefer to

live within walking distance of other 'hirese students.

hypotheses five, six, and seven should be ejected, since

aa orgin, or marital status do not effect in-

afiliation of Chinese studentS with Jmerieans. Jypothesis

eight i sbcct, since a significant relationship exists

between hInes setuet-s' odegre- of affiliation with

Americ as-1n h cir rpr evious experience with western friends

ih test -indings: for hypotheses nime and ten reveal

that fshinese students' degree of affiliation, with

kpL

45

10rlrIAorians inrases, their identification with American

S0 C)etyll Idecrease. ALS, as theIr degr ee ot affiliation

i ther bnest increase s, tIhe identif ication Os Chinese

s e socetI Amtriyoan society wil inceat Therefsore,

the orjririal hypotheses nine and ten must be re jectedAn T hypoti5s may be develoPed which states that's

4 inPse student' a fiiation wit other Chinese increases,

their identification with American society increases. o

verse y, cs a eraItion with Ar cleans increases, the

iden tilicatin of CYo hi.ese students with Ameican society

decreases.

CHAPTER IV

CONICLUSIONSL, JIITATIONS, AND IPLICATIONS

Conclusions

Social psychologists reveal a consistent relationship be-

tween attitude similarity and interpersonal attractions (Byrne,

1969; Newcomb, 1961). ApplI action of this theory implies that

Chinese students will have a higher degree of affiliation with

X than with Americans. However other factors besides

cultural differences between Chinese and Americans will effect

Chinese studentsf types of affiliation. For example, the var-

ious interpretations of facial expressions or emotions by

Chinese and American groups directly effects the proceedings

of Personal interaction.j It is expected that hypothesis two,

stating that Chinese students will prefer to have closer inter-

personal relationships with Chinese than with Americans, holds.

BasIng their investigation upon attitude similarity,

Byrne ind his colleagues (Byrne, 1969, 1971; Griffitt at

press) demonstrated interpersonal distance as a sensitive

2.ndex of interpersonal attract'on. In the present study,

Chinese students' degree of affiliation with other Chinese

L.1. Fong, "AsSimilation and Changing Social Roles ofChinese Americon ' q Journial o tpcialIssues, XXIX,No. 2 (1973), p. 24.

2Tech E. Frederik and others, "Attitude Similarity,Attraction and Physical Proximity in a Dynamic Space," Journalo2-f A2Qp__i d ocial Psycholoy, III, No. 1 (Jan.-March, 1973), p. 73,

46

407

is meaSured by Indexes such as their living distance from

each other and their interpersonal interaction. The findings

of this study supported Byrne's theory as well as hypothesis

four, that Chinese students prefer to have Chinese roommates.

Hypothesis six states that, although students from

Hofng Kng are acquainted with the typical vesternized city,

this previous background usually makes no difference in the

student sf dgree of affiliation with Americns as compared

wuih the degree of qfila-ioi. of students from '<wan. They

may have internalized estern culture to a greater extent,

but they do not necessarily have a high assimilation score, 3

Therefore, hypothesis six is suoorted. Hypothesis I station

that newly-arrived Chinese students in the States will have

ahgher egree o affiliation with other Chinese should be

rejected. The null hypothesis is true, because newly-arrived

Chinese Students still hold favorable attitudes toward

American society in their earlier period of stay.

IntErpersonal distance is an effective index in measure

the degree of intimacy in interpersonal relationships. How-

ever, in this study, respondents intending to impress the

investigator ith their favorable attitudes toward integrating

with American society may have constructed their answers. A-

though hypothesis three is rejected, the writer believes that

Chinese students still prefer to live closer to other Chinese

as is demonstrated by the iindin f hypothesis two.

93tanley L. Fong, "Assimilation of Chinese in America,Changes in Orientation and Social Perception, Arierican Journalof $ocioloY I X (July, 1965), p. 35.

48

he section of hypotheses five, six, and seven illus-

s -that marital status, age, and the place of origin of

Chinese students are not major independent variables in this

study. Other studies show that assimilation orientation is

an independent variable significantly related to Chinese

students' de, ree of assimilation with American society. Chi-

nese students with high assimilation orientation tend tuo have

more favorable attitudes toward their assimilation with

American culture. T. hey often consider themselves first as

Americans, second as Chinese, since often they plan to live

in the United States for a long time. T he sample for this

study was all Ihinese students born in China holding student

visas and in. process of assimilation with American society.

Yhorefov., the application of other minor variables such as

marital status, age, and the place of origin to Chinese stu-

dentsI' aFiliation type does not seem significant.

Thenever Chinese students have higher affiliation scores

with other Chinese, they- feel more satisfied in living in the

Uni ed tates an' become more interested in participating in

m -rican society. hey eventually develop more American

friendships and identiy further with American society. At

lea st -two studies arrive at the same conclusion. norris5

shows that studentss who are satisfied with their stay in the

L. IFong, "Assimilation and Changin, Social Roles ofChinese Americans," [he Journal o f social tsesXXIX(1973), p 124.

ichard TI'v ,orris , The Two law mirror National Statusin c n studentss AjstMent (ninneapo7is, 1960), p. 72.

United $States spend nore of their free time with Americans.

ellriz also points out that aong thenon-European students

surveyed, those 0ho0scored high on an index of interaction

with American ere, on the V J, Ass i nd more

satisfied. 'orris findings also indicate that favorable -

attitudes toward t -"United States are posit ively related to

fori students satisfaction with their stay there. Over

(0/ of those students who are lh0ighly favorable toward the

T 6United States are also very much satisfied with their stay.

7Sewell aind Davidsen uncovered similar results based upon a

survey of candinavian students. Those who were high on an

index indicating otact with Americans and participation in

American life were more 'Likely to show favorable changes in

thei-r impressions of the United States than those students

ho h -a lss contact with AmerIcans.

Consequently, Chinese students whose affiliation scores

with Chinese are high probably receive satisfaction from

living: in the United States. 'his satisfaction encourages

theM to participate extensively in the host society. Favor-

able attitudes and identification with American society

develop when Chinese students' feelings of satisfaction lead

to a wide range of participation. Following this line of

argument, hypotheses nine and ten are explained and supported.

6Ibid,, p. 72.

William H. Sewell and Oluf Davidsen, 'Scandinavian StudentsOn an American Camrnus (Minneapolis, 1961). p. 72.

50

Limitations

This Study endeavors to determine the relationship be-

tween Chinese students' type of affiliation with either

Chinese or Americans and their degrees of identification with

the host society during their stay in the United States. The

sample used consist4ad of students born in China who hold

student visas and attend Worth Texas tate University on a

full-time basis. Because of their unique status, Chinese

students should be treated as a special group. Therefore,

the results of this study can only offer a limited prediction

concerning the assimilation process of Chinese students in

the United. States. Separate studies are needed to demonstrate

the status of other foreig students or of Chinese immigrants

in the United States.

As a pilot study, the questionnaire relating Chinese

students' degree of affiliation with either Chinese or Ameri-

cars and their degree of identificaton with the American

society was designed by the researcher. Further improvement

of the questionnaife design and interview method would

produce more reliable results.

-he two varialbles, affiliation and identification, are

both dynamic in character. Chinese students staying in the

United Ktates are in a continuous, dynamic process. They

either move t-oward or away from assimilation. Under these

circurstances, the researcher must assume that the respondents

Will give answers concerning assimilation and identification

which are true as of their present situation.

51

This study is also limited by the possibility that the

respondents' attitudes may contradict their actual behavior.

For instance, the respondents may seek to please the inves-

tigator with their answers or to agree with the majority.

The investigator conducted interviews among people she knew

well, thus the interference of the interviewer may cause the

subjects to distort their answers. 8 The respondents may

also try to impress the investigator with their worldliness

derived from living in the United States. Some questions may

be interpreted differently by the respondents and the inves -

tigator. The respondents may prefer to live with Chinese

friends, though they do not closely associate extensively

with Chinese by living close to them.

Implications

The findings of this study support the theory that inter-

personal interaction with members of the host society will

lead to the foreigners, effective assimilation with the

society, Chinese students will undergo informal socialization

in the United States through interaction and association with

Americans. They will learn the norms and values of the society

through participation in the American reference group and

through daily role-playing in the United States student culture.

Also, the findings of this study lend support and fur-

ther development to the cycle theory proposed by W.H. Sewell

8 Jahoda Marie and others, Research Methods in SocialRelations, Part I (New York, 1958), p. 356.

and Davidsen. he respondents comprise Chinese students who

are In the early stages of adjustment to American society.

They ha favorable attitudes toward AmerI-can society, since

1tChey had een positively influenced before their arrival in

the United tates. AffilIation with Americans during this

period doues not lead to the identificcation of Chinese students

with Umerican society. On the contrary, it draws them back

to their own counVrymen 8 "'a -ti tOn K in a l with

their own countrymen, however, leads -to higher scores o7

ide unification. Th erefore, the dynamic process of Chinese

Students types of affiliation with either hinese or Aiericars

effect their identification wxih American society.

Afr thoe earlier period or ad justment, Chinese students

may be ;xoected to develop further friendships with Americans.

Such niendships lead to further identification and finally to

ass iilation with the society. On t1he other hand, Chinese

students may choose to stay with other Chinese, thus slowing

down or stoping the process of identification with Americans.

T hey may isolate themselves fron the outside world, for

exampLe, by 1ivi ng in (abinatown.

!he. hinese students remain in school, their identifi-

oaion uith other Chinese usually becomes a source of and a

reason :cor further identi'ficat ion with American society. How-

ever,leator having school, other sources of satisfaction or

motivation should be sought in order to initiate further

illian Hamilton Sewell and Oluf Davidsen, Scandinaviandents On an American Campus (Ainneapolis, 1961), p. 35

fdenification with the society. As previous studies have

points out, ssilati<on orientation is a very decisive

factor effecting the adjustment of foreign students in the

United <tates.

2uesti onnaIre

a.Hometown: 0ngKngITaiwan t her.

2 erx: ale _ , Female.

cUarital tatue 3.ingle carriedd

Spouse at Hom _____e

4. Age upon arrival in tne Unitd s tates:

5. Presen t ___Age_

6. Did you have any close American sternr) friends beforeyou came to the United 9States?

es 'N

70 Given a scale from I1 to 5, (1 represents the lowest score,5 the highest , rlease indicate your degree of preferencefor both Amerioan ad Chinese concerninc the followingzo 1V t. en

American Chinese

to chat with

to visit with

to share your personal problems with

to accompany a friend of the oppositesex to a social event

. Indaicat P. your preference in choosing your roovmats

Am eicn__an Chinese

9# -Indicate yoir choice in selecting a :rind with whom youyould like to spend your free time.

ArmericanOinese

54

55

10. If you had a chance to transfer to another school inthe United States, would you choose a school whereThere cre Chinese students?

A,,Very Uiany

13 ;a xy

0 M

D. Frew

E AImost no:

ii. Do you agre that tis very worthwhile for a newChinEse student (including yourself ) to live withinwalkirg distance of other Chinese students?', _

A# Definitely yes

B.Ye s

C.Prhapi-s

9, tQinteyjo

12. Atr y]rou had been i ithe United :tates for a year,would you still prefer to live within walking distanceo0 other Chinese students?

A. Definitely yes

B. es

0. Perhaps

D. PNo

E. Definitely not

56

3. i you were asked to Live suggestions to friends in yourhomietopwn about studying in the Uitted tates, would yousuggestthat they go to a school where there areChinese students?

A* Vlery ,many

S. M 1any

S ;:o me

D. iew

Almost n1-

IL. Do you agire That a Chinese student should have an Enryishname while he stays in tne United Vaeta__es?

A.Strongly agree

Aree

D. DisagreeE. "trngy dsare

I qno ahat degre e you satisfiUnited States?

As.'Strongly satisf ied

B. atisfied

c. .atisfied somewhau

D. Dissatisfied

1K:> Usving in the

E. Strongly dissatisfied

57

16. Compared with that of other Chinese students (both fromHong Kong and Taiwan), how do you evaluate your Englishlanguae ability? (the ability to conduct a very per-sonal conversation with an American)

A. 'Very fluent

Sr'luent

. a ir

D Joo2r

E.Ve r y -p o or

17. In the company of other Chinese students, how do youfeel when you have to speak English with an American?

A. 'lery comfortable

. Comfortable

C. fairly comfortable

D. nervous

. ery nervous

Indicate your reaction to the following statements.

18. If there is no financal need, the woman should stay athome a'nd educate the children.

A. Strongly agree

3. PAgree

C Agree somewhat

D. Disagree

E. Strongly isagree

9. :ok is reliable way to assess a Chinese girl's19 p3mring ing.

A, trongly Pagree

3 Agree

2. Pgree somewha t

D. Disagree

E.S strongly disagree

20. Even if can have other choices, and though I am arrived,would like to live with and take care o my old parents.

A. wronglyy agre

B. Agree

SAgree somewhat

D. Disagree

E. 7Strong ly disagree

21. iarricage is my personal decision. (I do not have to getapproval from my parents.)

A. Strongly agree

.. Agree

C Agree somewhat

D* Tisagree

E3. tronLy discagre6

22. There is nothing wrong with interracial marriage. (e. g,,Chinese and American)

A. trongly agree

B. Agree

C. Agree somewhat

D. Disagree

E Strongly disagree

wow

59

I is a ity if a 0Ifese girl acts too much like an

A. Z)trongly agree

B. Agree

C. Agree somewhat

D. Disagree

E. Strongly disagree

Bibliography

0OAks

Catwright, Dorwin and Zander, Alvin, Grou DynamicsEvanston, ilinos, Row and Peterson, 1953.

Du Bois, Iora, Fore.n Students and Higher Education .i.he Uniued States, ashington, D.C., 1956

areedmnm, Jonathan L. and others, sociall Psychology,Englewood Cliffs, Niew Jersey, 1970.

-; ider, Fritz, The LsyhoLTo t Interersonal 1<ela.tion,New York, 1958.

man, Herbert H. and others, Leadns .in Reference Group,iew York, 19680

iarie, Jahoda and others, Research ethads in SocialRelations, art I, New York, 1958.

,orris, toward . and Davidsen, Oluf 1., The Two-Wayirror AStudy inCross-Cultural Education,lIIinneapuolis, 1960.

tt, Frnkfin Daniel, The American Exerience of wedishStudentsr: Retrosect and Aftermdth, iiinneapolis, 1956.

SItiz, (ala.ire and others, Attitude and Social relationsoff forein Studants S.n the United Statestinneapolis, 1963.

Jewe I, Wiia inHamilton, Scandinavian Vtudents on AAmerican Campus, Ainneapolis, 1961.

2 haffe , Robert Hornd, reijn Students and Their AmericanStudent Friends, Bloomington, indiana, 1966.

Spence, Janet T, and others, Elemyentary Statistics,New York, 1968.

Theaodorson, George A. and Theodorson, Achilles G.,Sodern Dictionary of SOciL y, iew York, 1969.

o

61

Articles

Fong, SL,M, "Assimilation of Chinese in America. Changesin Orientation and Social Perception," nAmerican Journalof Siolog, II (July, 1965), 265-271.

Fong, . and Peskin, H., "3ex-Role Strain and PersonalityAdjustment of China-Born Students in America. A PilotStudy, " Journal of Abnormal Psychology, LIXIV ( aroh,1969), E-6.

Kuo, Eddie Chen-Yu, "The Family and Bilingual s ocialization.Aoiolingisti c Study of a Sample of Chinese Children

in the United States,"' The Journal oi Social Isychology,X.-II (April, 1974), 181-191.5

Tesch, E, Frederick and iustoni, Ted L. and Indenbaum, Eugene A,"Attitude Similarity, Attraction, and Physical Proximityn a Dynamic Space," Journal o"; 1p-lled Social .sychol2gy,III (January-Varch, 1973), 63-650