Abstract:

The origins and evolution of human culture remain one of the most intriguing mysteries in modern science (Kennedy & Norman, 2005). This topic also represents a frontier in the field of cultural psychology (Varnum & Grossmann, 2021). The transformation of China, which began over a century ago and has been marked by unprecedented economic growth and social development since its foundation, particularly, reform and opening up, offers a unique lens through which to study these cultural and psychological shifts.

As the world is experiencing a period of significant change, unparalleled in the last century, understanding the socio-cultural shifts in China is not just a scientific endeavor, but also a pressing requirement for effective national governance and response strategies. To harness the collective wisdom of the academic community and foster research in this area, Acta Psychologica Sinica issued a call for papers in May 2022, inviting scholars around the globe to contribute. This special issue features nine selected articles from a pool of 80 submissions, each offering valuable insights into this complex and evolving field.

Over recent decades, numerous studies have delved into the change of culture and psychology in China (for reviews, see Cai, et al., 2020; Huang, et al., 2021). These investigations have unveiled some fundamental trends: a general rise in modern individualism and a decline in traditional collectivism. However, certain traditional values persist, and in some cases, are even intensifying, leading to a coexistence of multiple cultures in contemporary society.

Building on these insights, the articles in this special issue broaden and deepen the existing body of research. For instance, Hou et al. scrutinized the shifts in marital satisfaction in mainland China over the past two decades (see page 895). Zhang & Zhang probed into the changes in educational effectiveness and aspirations among high school students (see page 926). Wang et al. explored the fluctuations in the level of moral disengagement among college and middle school students (see page 859). Tang et al. investigated the intergenerational shifts in the work values of Chinese employees (see page 976). Yuan & Luo employ representational similarity analysis to examine the evolving pattern of mental health among the elderly in China (see page 938). Zhang et al. assess the changes in the positive ideal emotions of the Chinese populace (see page 847). By studying educated-youth sociologists, Hu & Zhou illustrate the dynamic process of individual psychological transformation and the construction of collective mentality among the Chinese people since the reform and opening up (see page 964). Building on early findings of the rising popularity of unique names, Bao et al. delve deeper to identify the cultural causes driving this change (see page 954). In response to an early finding of increasing individualism, Wu et al. distinguish between rational individualism and utilitarian individualism for the first time, and further examine their divergent shifting trends (see page 911).

The studies featured in this special issue utilize a wide array of methodologies. In terms of research design, they encompass cross-temporal, cross-generational, and cross-regional comparisons. The data sources are equally diverse, including survey data, published research data, qualitative interview data, and natural language data. The analytical methods employed are varied and comprehensive, ranging from ANOVA and regression analysis to Age-Period-Cohort (APC) model analysis, cross-temporal meta-analysis, time series analysis, Granger causality analysis, and representation similarity analysis. This diversity in methodology not only enriches the research but also bolsters the reliability and credibility of the findings, thereby contributing to a more robust understanding of the subject matter.

Indeed, it’s noteworthy that three globally recognized scholars have offered insightful commentary on the papers featured in this special issue. Professor Chen, for instance, posits that understanding China’s contemporary socio-cultural changes necessitates a pluralist-constructivist perspective. This perspective should consider the fundamental temperament of the Chinese people, which could serve as the starting point and basis for change, as well as China’s unique history and culture (see page 977). Professors Fu and Li, drawing from their two-decade-long research on modest lies and immodest truths, astutely highlight that many psychological behaviors, influenced by core culture, are resistant to change during social transformation. They suggest that future research should consider both the changes and persistence of culture and psychology and delve deeper into the underlying causes and mechanisms (see page 994).

These three professors concur that psychological research on social changes in China is still in its nascent stages. They have also underscored some particularly promising research directions. We wholeheartedly agree with their perspectives. We anticipate that this special issue will inspire an increasing number of researchers to study the social changes in China. Such research will not only enhance our understanding of these changes but also address some fundamental scientific questions.