Development and Validation of the Holistic Cognition Scale

This paper introduces a new scale to measure cognitive cultural differences, drawing on the theory of analytic versus holistic thought. Examining culture from a cognitive perspective is a challenge to traditional values-based approaches. Existing measures based on this framework are methodologically problematic and warrant renewal. This paper presents development and validation studies for a new instrument that measures analytic versus holistic cognitive tendencies at the individual level. The scale assesses four previously established dimensions: attention, causality, contradiction, and change. The present work follows well-established scale development protocols and the results show that the 16-item Holistic Cognition Scale (HCS) is a valid and reliable measure of analytic versus holistic thought. Three new studies with four unique samples (N = 41; 272; 454; and 454) provide evidence to support the content validity, reliability, and factor structure of the new instrument, as well as its convergent, discriminant, and concurrent validity against comparable constructs. Convergent validity is established against measures of compromise, intuition, complexity, and collectivism; predictive validity is established against Hofstede’s (1980) five cultural value dimensions; and discriminant validity is established using the average variance extracted from a confirmatory factor analysis. The new HCS is an improvement over previous attempts with a balanced number of forward- and reverse-scored items, superior reliability, less redundancy, and stronger factor loadings.

Expressive Interdependence in Latin America: A Colombia, U.S., and Japan Comparison

Latin America forms a unique cultural region that is understudied in the current psychology literature. Here, we tested the hypothesis that Latin American cultures have cultivated expressive interdependence, thereby sanctioning the expression of socially engaging emotions to achieve interdependence with others. Latin American cultures may therefore be distinct from East Asian cultures, where emotion-suppression is used to promote interdependence, and European American cultures, where emotion expression is used to promote independence. We tested Colombian, Japanese, and European American young adults (total N = 550) with a set of 10 measures. We assessed features deemed core of interdependence (holistic cognition and social happiness) and features that we propose are culturally variable or subsidiary (emotional expressivity and self-assertion). In one of the core features (holistic cognition), Colombians were as interdependent as Japanese, and more so than European Americans. Curiously, the measure of social happiness, the other putative core feature, showed an unexpected pattern. Unlike Japanese happiness, Colombian happiness was dependent more on disengagement (e.g., self-esteem) than on engagement (e.g., closeness with others), similar to European Americans. Of importance, the subsidiary features differentiated the groups. Colombians were more emotionally expressive than Japanese, to a similar extent as European Americans. However, unlike European Americans, but similar to Japanese, Colombians reportedly expressed more socially engaging rather than disengaging emotions. Lastly, similar to European Americans, Colombians were more self-assertive than Japanese. Our findings offer evidence for the cultural profile of expressive interdependence in Latin America. Implications for theories of culture are discussed.

Does holistic cognition frame always promote business model design?

Purpose This paper aims to explore the effects of holistic cognition frame on novelty-centered business model design and efficiency-centered business model design. Moreover, the authors consider how these effects differ in new ventures vs established firms. Design/methodology/approach The authors use survey data to testify the hypotheses based on a database of 204 firms in China. Then, regression analysis is used to examine the relationship between holistic cognition frame and business model design. They also explore the contingency effects of new ventures and established firms on the relationships. Findings The authors find that the holistic cognition frame has a positive effect on efficiency-centered business model design, whereas it has an inverse U-shaped effect on novelty-centered business model design. Furthermore, they find that the effects of holistic cognition frame on efficiency-centered business model design and novelty-centered business model design are different in established firms and new ventures. Originality/value This work offers new insights into the effects of holistic cognition frame on business model design and provides useful suggestions for firms to promote business model design.

Analytic versus Holistic Cognition

This chapter summarizes research on analytic versus holistic thinking, including locus of attention, causal perception, perception of change, tolerance of contradiction, and categorization—constructs that are widely studied in social psychology and other related fields, such as consumer psychology. The chapter also reviews the literature on the Analysis-Holism Scale (AHS): how it was developed and how it differs from scales that measure other cultural differences (e.g., individualism versus collectivism; independent versus interdependent self; dialectical versus linear self). Empirical evidence supporting the validity of the AHS in various cognitive domains is introduced. The chapter concludes with a review of recently published papers in which the AHS has been validated and utilized for various purposes.

Holism in a European Cultural Context: Differences in Cognitive Style between Central and East Europeans and Westerners

Central and East Europeans have a great deal in common, both historically and culturally, with West Europeans and North Americans, but tend to be more interdependent. Interdependence has been shown to be linked to holistic cognition. East Asians are more interdependent than Americans and are more holistic. If interdependence causes holism, we would expect Central and East Europeans to be more holistic than West Europeans and North Americans. In two studies we found evidence that Central and East Europeans are indeed more holistic than Westerners on three tasks, one of which examined categorization and two of which measured patterns of visual attention. These studies support the argument that cross-cultural differences in cognition are due to society level differences in independence/interdependence.