THE CULTURAL PSYCHOLOGY OF REVENGE IN THE UNITES STATES AND SOUTH KOREA

Abstract

Although there has been notable progress in the study of the revenge (Vidmar, 2001) its triggers and processes have eluded cross-cultural investigation. I argue that although revenge is likely a universal phenomenon, the process of revenge may be culture-specific. A unifying theme of this thesis is the influence of the cultured self-construal (Markus & Kitayama, 1991; Markus & Wurf, 1987) on the stages of the revenge process: naming, blaming and claiming. Two scenario studies, carried out in the United States and South Korea examined the theory presented. The results generally support the hypotheses posited. Most notably, the found cross-national differences in cognitions of harm, blame and revenge intentions were mediated by construals of the self. Theoretical implications for further cross-cultural study of the revenge process are discussed.