Structure of Conscious Clothing Preferences of Women's College Students from a Cultural Perspective. A Comparison between Japanese and American.

DOI Web Site
  • IDO Yukari
    Institute of Human Living Sciences, Otsuma Women's University

Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • 衣服選択に関する女子大学生の意識構造と文化的背景　日米の比較
  • イフク センタク ニ カンスル ジョシ ダイガクセイ ノ イシキ コウゾウ ト
  • -A Comparison between Japanese and American-
  • ―日米の比較―

Search this article

Abstract

Two approximately equivalent groups of Japanese and American female college students were asked about their conscious clothing preferences on a 5-point scale. One group consisted of 140 Japanese child psychology/development majors at Otsuma Women's University, and the other group consisted of 140 American counterparts in the University of Oregon. The results of one group were compared with those of the other. The Japanese consciousness, especially, "Kigane" is considered to be a typical defense mechanism and is reflected in their clothing preferences. Although "Kigane" is a difficult concept to translate into English, it is roughly equivalent to "being hesitant" or "feeling constraint" in doing something, being consious of others. Generally, the Japanese students expressed different emotions from American students. The Japanese students chose the clothing that would be most acceptable to others, considering what they would think of them. In contrast, the American students made their choices independent of group influences, choosing what they would like to wear and what was "comfortable" to them. The major difference in clothing preference between the two groups of students could be attributed to the differences in their upbringing, independence, and individuality, as well as more general cultural and social differences.

Journal

Keywords

Details 詳細情報について

Report a problem

Back to top