Will the Bow-pulling Model Be Repeated? – Analysis of Cases of Reverse Culture Shock During Two Overseas Stays

Conference: The Asian Conference on Psychology & the Behavioral Sciences (ACP2022)
Title: Will the Bow-pulling Model Be Repeated? – Analysis of Cases of Reverse Culture Shock During Two Overseas Stays
Stream: Qualitative/Quantitative Research in any other area of Psychology
Presentation Type: Virtual Poster Presentation
Authors:
Tomoko Tanaka, Okayama University, Japan

Abstract:

The bow-pulling model assumes selective adaptation of culture, and envisions an opposing psychological reaction that causes reverse culture shock (RCS) after returning to the home country, provided the sojourner adapted well to the culture of the destination. In this study, two Japanese female university students who had lived twice in foreign countries for studying abroad or completing internships were interviewed. Case studies were conducted on whether the pattern of RCS corresponds to the bow-pulling model (Akashi et al., 2005), and whether the pattern is repeated as a stable property. This was confirmed when some sort of discontinuity in the cultural experience or in their life occurred, and they could not successfully cope with it, resulting in a psychological burden. Both of them corresponded to the bow pulling model at the first reentry, but differences were recognized in the second instance. Ms. P showed RCS and was interpreted as an alienation model that did not feel at peace in either culture, and Ms. Q showed less RCS and was interpreted as a bird's-eye-view model that objectively evaluated both cultures. This suggests that RCS occurs in the interaction between internal factors, such as dissonance among cultural values, and external factors, including lifestyle preferences and evaluations toward their own environment; a negative view toward the native culture strengthened the distress. Hypothesis-generating research using the qualitative psychology method, which interprets the process of RCS with multiple factors, has just begun, and verifications made through the examination of more cases is desirable.

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