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Chinese and South Asian Conceptions of the Good Life and Personal Narratives

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  • Gregory Bonn
  • Romin Tafarodi

Abstract

Are cultural visions of a good life reflected in how people narrate the personal past? Do they tend to emphasize experiences that correspond to their cultural commitments about what is important and worthwhile in the life they are hoping to live? To examine this possibility, Chinese and South Asian international students at a Canadian university were compared on the content of their narrative accounts of their post-arrival experiences. Predictions about how these groups differ in the prevalence of various topical categories were made on the basis of previous research on cultural conceptions of a good life. A majority of the predictions were confirmed, supporting the general claim that Chinese tend more toward practical and prudential concerns, and less toward spiritual and beneficent concerns, than do South Asians. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014

Suggested Citation

  • Gregory Bonn & Romin Tafarodi, 2014. "Chinese and South Asian Conceptions of the Good Life and Personal Narratives," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 15(4), pages 741-755, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:15:y:2014:i:4:p:741-755
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-013-9447-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jack Bauer & Dan McAdams & Jennifer Pals, 2008. "Narrative identity and eudaimonic well-being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 9(1), pages 81-104, January.
    2. Gregory Bonn & Romin Tafarodi, 2013. "Visualizing the Good Life: A Cross-Cultural Analysis," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 14(6), pages 1839-1856, December.
    3. Romin Tafarodi & Greg Bonn & Hanyu Liang & Jiro Takai & Satoshi Moriizumi & Vivek Belhekar & Amruta Padhye, 2012. "What Makes for a Good Life? A Four-Nation Study," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 13(5), pages 783-800, October.
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