scholarly journals The influence of networks of general trust on willingness to communicate in English for Japanese people

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Takehiko Ito
Keyword(s):  
Network Analysis ◽  
University Students ◽  
Intervention Studies ◽  
Willingness To Communicate ◽  
Japanese People ◽  
Social Survey ◽  
Japanese University ◽  
General Trust ◽  
Several Variables ◽  
Negative Effect

AbstractThis study investigates the effect of a network of general trust on the willingness to communicate in English among Japanese people. Previous studies have shown that general trust positively affects the willingness to communicate in English for Japanese people. However, the network structure of general trust and its effects have not yet been revealed. The present study conducted a network analysis with 761 Japanese university students and 601 Japanese social survey participants, for 1362 participants total. Four variables regarding general trust positively affected the willingness to communicate in English for all participants, whereas one variable had a negative effect if each network was estimated for only university students or social survey participants. Centrality indices, such as node strength, closeness, and expected influence, revealed the centrality of several variables in the network of all participants. Bootstrapping methods showed the trustworthiness of the estimated edges and centrality indices. Contrary to the regression analysis, the network analysis can help us understand the profound effect of general trust on the willingness to communicate in a second language, which will prove useful for intervention studies.

scholarly journals The Influence of Socio-Ecological Networks on Willingness to Communicate in English for Japanese People

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takehiko Ito
Keyword(s):  
Network Analysis ◽  
Network Structure ◽  
Partial Correlation ◽  
Ecological Networks ◽  
Willingness To Communicate ◽  
Japanese People ◽  
Depth Effect ◽  
Japanese University ◽  
Relationship Partners ◽  
Negative Effect

This study investigates the effect of socio-ecological networks on the willingness to communicate (WTC) in English among Japanese people. Previous studies have shown that relational mobility (socio-ecological factor), which is defined as the availability of opportunities to choose new relationship partners, positively affects the WTC in English for Japanese people. However, the network structure of the variables of relational mobility and its effects have not been revealed yet. The present study conducted network analysis with 474 Japanese university students and found the two clusters that correspond to the dimensions of relational mobility in the partial correlation network. Three variables regarding opportunities to meet new people and leave current relationships positively affected the WTC in English; one had a negative effect. Centrality indices, such as nodes strength, betweenness, and closeness, revealed the centrality of several variables in the network. Bootstrapping methods showed the trustworthiness of the estimated network structure and centrality indices as well as edges and variables whose effects differed significantly from that of others. Contrary to the regression analysis results, the network analysis findings can help us understand the in-depth effect of relational mobility on the WTC in a second language, which will prove useful for intervention studies.

scholarly journals Survey of the effects of internet usage on the happiness of Japanese university students

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Momoko Kitazawa ◽  
Michitaka Yoshimura ◽  
Hidefumi Hitokoto ◽  
Yuka Sato-Fujimoto ◽  
Mayu Murata ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Multiple Regression ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Japanese People ◽  
Japanese University ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background Besides research on psychiatric diseases related to problematic Internet use (PIU), a growing number of studies focus on the impact of Internet on subjective well-being (SWB). However, in previous studies on the relationship between PIU and SWB, there is little data for Japanese people specifically, and there is a lack of consideration for differences in perception of happiness due to cultural differences. Therefore, we aimed to clarify how happiness is interdependent on PIU measures, with a focus on how the concept of happiness is interpreted among Japanese people, and specifically among Japanese university students. Methods A paper-based survey was conducted with 1258 Japanese university students. Respondents were asked to fill out self-report scales regarding their happiness using the Interdependent Happiness Scale (IHS). The relationship between IHS and Internet use (Japanese version of the Internet addiction test, JIAT), use of social networking services, as well as social function and sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI) were sought using multiple regression analyses. Results Based on multiple regression analyses, the following factors related positively to IHS: female gender and the number of Twitter followers. Conversely, the following factors related negatively to IHS: poor sleep, high- PIU, and the number of times the subject skipped a whole day of school. Conclusions It was shown that there was a significant negative correlation between Japanese youths’ happiness and PIU. Since epidemiological research on happiness that reflects the cultural background is still scarce, we believe future studies shall accumulate similar evidence in this regard.

scholarly journals The influence of psychological network on the willingness to communicate in a second language

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. e0256644
Author(s):  
Takehiko Ito
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Network Structure ◽  
Psychological Factors ◽  
Communication Competence ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Willingness To Communicate ◽  
Japanese People ◽  
Node Centrality

This study investigated the effect of the psychological network on the willingness to communicate in English among Japanese people. Previous studies have shown that psychological factors affect the willingness to communicate in English for Japanese people. However, the network structure of psychological factors and their effects have not been revealed yet. The present study conducted a network analysis with 644 Japanese people. Consequently, the edge between perceived communication competence and the willingness to communicate in the first or second language was very strong. Node centrality strength showed that these factors were central in the network structure. The results of the network analysis show the effect of psychological networks on the willingness to communicate in a second language, which will be beneficial for language education.

Assessing Willingness to Communicate for Academically, Culturally, and Linguistically Different Language Learners

2018 ◽  
pp. 57-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark R. Freiermuth ◽  
Hsin-chou Huang
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Small Groups ◽  
English Language ◽  
Willingness To Communicate ◽  
Cultural Backgrounds ◽  
Language Abilities ◽  
Japanese University ◽  
Academic Interests ◽  
Group Student

Synchronous electronic communication has provided opportunities for language learners in different locales to have meaningful dialogue with one another and highlighted the importance of English even in the context of EFL settings. In this chapter, the authors designed an intercultural electronic chat task to see if students from different cultural backgrounds, with different English language abilities, with different L1s, and who have different academic interests would be willing to communicate using English. Sixteen Taiwanese university students, who were marine science majors (lower proficiency group), chatted electronically in small groups with 27 Japanese university students, who had been studying English for two years (higher proficiency group). Student commentary to a broad-based questionnaire revealed that all participants were willing to communicate in English and did so. Even the lower proficiency group found the task meaningful, pointing out that chat gave them the opportunity to participate fully in the discussion, learn from their peers, and gain confidence, all of which motivated them.

scholarly journals Longitudinal association between autistic traits and affinity for hikikomori in Japanese university students

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuuki Shimono ◽  
Akira Hasegawa ◽  
Kohei Tsuchihara ◽  
Keisuke Tanaka ◽  
Yuko Matsuda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
University Students ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Autism Spectrum Quotient ◽  
Japanese University ◽  
Longitudinal Association ◽  
Academic Failures

AbstractThe affinity for hikikomori represents the desire to be withdrawn, as well as to entertain an empathetic attitude towards withdrawn individuals. It is composed of two subdimensions, the maladaptive desire for hikikomori, and empathy for others with hikikomori. This longitudinal study examined whether autistic traits predicted the affinity for hikikomori. At the baseline assessment, undergraduate and graduate students in Japan (N = 272) completed the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ), the Affinity for Hikikomori Scale in University Students, and measures assessing academic failures and interpersonal conflicts. They also completed all measures excluding the AQ eight weeks later. Structural equation modeling indicated that difficulties in social interaction aspects of autistic traits were positively associated with academic failures at Time 2 even after controlling for academic failures at Time 1. In addition, difficulties in social interaction were positively related to the desire for hikikomori at Time 2 indirectly via academic failures at Time 2 after controlling for the desire for hikikomori at Time 1. Difficulties in social interaction were also directly associated with the increased desire for hikikomori at Time 2. These findings suggest that autistic traits, and especially difficulties in social interaction, are predictors of the maladaptive aspect of the affinity for hikikomori.

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