Discrepancies Between Formal/Explicit and Informal/Implicit Norms in Korea and Generation Gaps : Theoretical Points and Evidence from Existing Survey Data

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Formal/Explicit norms in Korea have significantly changed since the beginning of modern Korea, but informal/implicit norms are still firmly based on traditional Confucian rules. Interpersonal networks and high-context communication style centering around one's own ingroup have reinforced such a tendency. Overall social trust is low in Korea, because people strongly identify with their ingroups and exclude outgroup members. Besides, Inglehart (1997) revealed that generation gap in Korea is the largest among the 43 countries surveyed, based on his study on postmaterialism. After a short review of theoretical and traditional foundations of the Korean culture's dual standards, existing survey data were readdressed to illustrate empirical evidence for the discrepancies between formal/explicit and informal/implicit norms of Korea as well as Korean generation gap. A systematic survey plan for the late 1990's was Finally suggested to examine younger and older Koreans' values, norms, and practices, for formulating a directional guide for the 21st century.

목차 (Table of Contents)

• Ⅰ. Introduction
• Ⅱ. Theoretical Consideration on the Duality of Korean Culture and Interpretation of the Discrepancy Between Modern Norms and Confucian Practices
• Ⅲ. Theoretical Consideration for Generation Gap and Interpretation of SurveyData
• Ⅳ. Overall Discussions
• REFERENCES