Taboo Topics among Chinese and English Friends

Abstract

This study adopted Gudykunst and Tmg-Toomey's Cultural Variability Model to examine gender and cultural patterns in levels of taboo within the friendships of students from two cultures. Eighty-two British and 81 Chinese students completed self-report schedules inquiring about those topics they considered to be taboo in their relationship with a close friend. Responses were evaluated in a 2 (Sex) x 2 (Culture) x 2 (Sex of Friend) design, and levels of taboo for 35 topics of discussion/behaviours were recorded. Results were largely consistent with the Cultural Variability Model, with Chinese students recording a greater level of taboo than their British counterparts and with males recording higher levels of taboo in their friendship than females. Interaction effects were not as expected, with males disclosing more to other male friends rather than to female friends.