Direct Strategies 2
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This study was a methodological inquiry into the significance of redefining the ingroup
and outgroup distinction. Specialists in the Japanese culture often note that a mere two
category definition of relational intimacy does not suffice in describing Japanese interpersonal
relationships. This study featured direct and indirect communication strategy preference across
six situations, toward four targets based on intimacy level. A total of 279 students in Japanese
universities participated in the questionnaire survey. A 6 x 4 mixed design MANOVA was
conducted, with 6 direct/indirect strategies as dependent variables. Results indicated that
direct strategies were preferred for the most intimate in-ingroup (
PLXFKL) targets, while indirect
strategies were preferred most for in-outgroup targets (
VHNHQ). The relationship between
strategy preference and intimacy was linear in nature with bluntly direct communication, but
curvilinear with polite and indirect communication strategies. From this, it was apparent that a
mere ingroup-outgroup distinction is inadequate, and that a four-level target intimacy
classification is essential in observing communication styles of Japanese.
Keywords: direct and indirect strategies, ingroup, outgroup, Japanese
Convention