Cross‐cultural perspectives on higher education in East Asia: Psychological effects upon Asian students

Abstract

Cross‐cultural perspectives on higher education in East Asia are drawn from the author's multi‐year project which has collected comprehensive quantitative and qualitative data from a sample of over 100 universities in 11 East Asian nations and territories. University student behaviour is examined as effects of East Asian educational systems. Results indicate that Hong Kong, Japanese and Taiwanese students undergo much continuous stress and many suffer serious socio‐emotional problems. Also, students’ cognitive skills and academic values are affected adversely. Such effects are attributed to the great strain placed upon students, beginning at an early age, to excel academically and win acceptance to the best university possible. Analyses include references to related research and development.

Notes

This article's analyses and data are taken from the author's research project entitled, ‘East Asian Universities, Their Goals, Problems, and Prospects’. Grateful acknowledgement is given to the following sources for supporting grants without which the project would have been delayed or cancelled altogether: the Bei Shan Tang Foundation of Hong Kong, the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues, the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong — Centre for Contemporary Asian Studies, Chou's Foundation funds for student assistance, and Office of Student Affairs’ student assistance funds.