The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Department of Management
Ying-yi Hong is Choh-Ming Li Professor of Management at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). She obtained her Ph.D. from Columbia University in social psychology. Before joining CUHK, Ying-yi has taught at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Nanyang Technological University of Singapore. Her research focuses on culture and cognition, multicultural identity and intergroup relations. More information about Ying-yi’s research is available at www.yingyihong.org.
The Impact of Multiple Cultural Exposure on Human Psychology
Under an unprecedented rate of globalization, we are encountering people, behaviors, and events from other cultures constantly. This talk will focus on how people react and adapt to increasing globalization and multiculturalism. We posit that reactions to multiculturalism and intercultural contact are not universal, and are themselves shaped by cultural experiences. That is, culture provides a frame of reference for reconciling and negotiating the inflow of foreign cultures and peoples. Although exposure to foreign cultures can widen one’s worldview, thereby enhancing creativity and reducing prejudice, intercultural contact can also bring about negative exclusionary responses such as aversion, disgust, and defensiveness. In the talk, I will discuss empirical findings (many of which were revealed from studies conducted in Singapore) that showcase the benefits and challenges of multicultural exposure, and individual differences in critically shaping reactions to intercultural contact.