Does an Acquiescent Response Style Explain Why Koreans are Less Consistent than Americans?

Abstract

Cultural differences in consistency of responding to questions could be artifacts of cultural differences in acquiescence (an agreeing response style). To highlight this issue, the authors attempt to replicate previous research showing that Koreans are less consistent than Americans are when responding to questions about values. In accord with prior research, the authors find that Koreans are both more acquiescent and less consistent than Americans are. However, the differences between countries in acquiescence partially mediate the differences between countries in consistency. In sum, when using mathematical measures of consistency, researchers must take into account the influence of response styles, and the authors demonstrate two methods for accomplishing that.