Superior Ethnocentrism, Avoidance, and TOEIC Score : A Case of the Japanese Learning English at the Collegiate Level

概要

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This study examined the degree to which two elements measuring the stance toward outgroup members exert negative effects on TOEIC scores of Japanese students learning English at the collegiate level in Japan. The two elements are (1) superior ethnocentrism and (2) avoidance (person's stance to avoid foreigners), which are part of the intercultural sensitivity elements. A self-administered anonymous questionnaire form was used to collect data (n=581) at two Japanese institutions from Fall 2000 to Spring 2001. Statistical analysis of the data indicated the following two aspects. First, both superior ethnocentrism and avoidance were negatively associated with the TOEIC scores of the participants. Second, avoidance exerted a stronger negative effect on the TOEIC scores than superior ethnocentrism did when the effects of two demographic variables (age and gender) were controlled. These findings suggest that English programs created for Japanese students at the collegiate level should be designed to make their students aware of the negative effects of these two elements and, therefore, to instruct them to become open-minded to foreigners and foreign cultures.
青森公立大学の論文
2003-09-30