This fascinating book is an insightful exploration of Western perceptions and representations of Japanese culture and society, drawing on social and cultural psychological ideas around stereotypes and intercultural relations. Hinton considers how the West views the Japanese as an ideologically different 'other', and proposes a cultural theory of stereotypes from which to explore Western observations of the Japanese. The book explores Western socio-cultural representations of the Japanese alongside Edward Said's well-known theory of Orientalism. It examines the West's intercultural relationship with Japan, and how this has changed over time, to show how the Japanese have been represented in the Western mind throughout history, to the present day. Hinton argues that our view of other cultures is based on our own cultural expectations, which involve complex issues of meaning making and perceived cultural differences. This book foregrounds this research through accounts of Westerners about the Japanese, to reveal how cultural representations can influence the ways in which people from different cultures communicate in interaction, and how intercultural understanding or misunderstanding can arise. By reflecting on the changing Western representations of the Japanese, and how and why these have emerged, this book will be of interest to students, academics, and general readers interested in stereotypes, cultural psychology, intercultural communication, and Japanese culture and history.

This fascinating book is an insightful exploration of Western perceptions and representations of Japanese culture and society, drawing on social and cultural psychological ideas around stereotypes and intercultural relations. Hinton considers how the West views the Japanese as an ideologically different 'other', and proposes a cultural theory of stereotypes from which to explore Western observations of the Japanese. The book explores Western socio-cultural representations of the Japanese alongside Edward Said's well-known theory of Orientalism. It examines the West's intercultural relationship with Japan, and how this has changed over time, to show how the Japanese have been represented in the Western mind throughout history, to the present day. Hinton argues that our view of other cultures is based on our own cultural expectations, which involve complex issues of meaning making and perceived cultural differences. This book foregrounds this research through accounts of Westerners about the Japanese, to reveal how cultural representations can influence the ways in which people from different cultures communicate in interaction, and how intercultural understanding or misunderstanding can arise. By reflecting on the changing Western representations of the Japanese, and how and why these have emerged, this book will be of interest to students, academics, and general readers interested in stereotypes, cultural psychology, intercultural communication, and Japanese culture and history.

'The book deserves a huge readership: every teacher in higher education who would like to make his/her teaching as economical, efficient and effective as possible should spend a few hours with it.' - British Journal of Educational Technology

The goal of fostering positive intercultural relations has taken on increased importance in a wide range of societal, educational, and business contexts. This has created growing demand for educational provision that raises awareness of the role of language, culture, and psychological dynamics in processes of communication and rapport management. This volume, inspired by Helen Spencer-Oatey's multidisciplinary approach to intercultural research, provides insights into the dynamic and negotiated nature of intercultural relations, informed by current theory and research in linguistics, psychology, and intercultural education. Written by an international group of prominent intercultural researchers, chapters demonstrate that intercultural interaction is highly dependent on the contextual expectations that individuals bring to communication, the social identities that are perceived to be relevant, and how individuals position themselves and others as cultural beings. They show how cultural norms and social identities are negotiated in the micro context of interpersonal interaction and in the macro sociocultural context. The volume provides intercultural researchers and educators with multidisciplinary insights into how intercultural relationships are established, maintained, and threatened.