Americans & Chinese: Passage to Differences

by Francis L.K. Hsu

"Hsu, a professor of anthropology...outlines what he believes to be the crucial difference between Americans and Chinese. He sees Americans as essentially oriented toward fulfillment of the individual, while the Chinese are oriented toward the situation, that is, the position of the individual among family and peers."

Genres: China, The United States Of America

562 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1953

Reviews

[Richard Sjoquist · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across Dr. Hsu's work during my doctoral research and found his observations of the similarities and differences between American and Chinese thinking insightful--at times profoundly so. Here is an academic who writes with clarity and common sense, yet bases his conclusions on years of firsthand experience and ongoing research. Although its last reprint was nearly a quarter century ago, most of what he describes and explains remains pertinent today. Those conducting cross-cultural studies, or otherwise engaged in international exchanges between these two nations, would do well to read and heed this book. Nothing since approaches this even more timely topic with the same sense of philosophical distance and objectivity.