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Chinese psychological characteristics

The paper reveals the psychosomatic image or national character of the Chinese, which was formed during thousands of years under certain historical conditions. Peculiar national manners of behaviour in different situations towards different groups of people are taken under examination. National feelings, temperament, mentality (the main characteristics of which are inconsistency, resourcefulness and rational thinking), and the attitude of the Chinese towards other nations (from servility to America and the West to scorn towards Africa and some Asian countries).

Among the main features of the Chinese national character the author indicates: hierarchy of society, worship of authority, fear of ‘losing face’ (reputation), the ability to be content with the little, easy adaptation to new circumstances, initiative, perseverance, stoicism, self-discipline; diligence, based on self-interest; practicality, greediness, economy, acquisition; external emotionality, ease of communication and talkativeness, love for bright aesthetics; collectivism, duration and continuity of relationships; desire for the new, sense of national exceptionalism.

The author gives practical advice and offers specific behaviour and communication models in order to establish a successful dialogue with the Chinese in business sphere.

Keywords: national psychology, dominants of the national character, the Chinese, Confucianism.

Full text in Russian



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