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.
