Differences Between Australian and Japanese Students in Reported Use of Decision Processes

Decision making is an activity found in all cultures. Although many theoretical models have been developed to explain human decision making, very few have taken the role of culture into account. In this paper the importance of cultural influences on self-reported decision-making styles is examined, with particular emphasis on the dominant cultural pattern (i.e. “group orientation” versus “individual orientation”). Results of a questionnaire study of 743 Japanese and 309 Australian university students are presented. As predicted, Japanese students reported greater use of decision processes or behaviours associated with the involvement and influence of others (“collateral role”), while Australian students reported greater use of decision processes associated with self-reliance and personal ability (“individual role”).