中西方人际关系差异

天津农学院

毕业论文

中文题目: 浅析中西方人际关系差异

英文题目: An Analysis of the Differences in Interpersonal Relationships Between Chinese and Western

学生姓名王雪花

二级学院人文学院

系别外国语系

专业班级2011级英语专业2班

指导教师李欣

成绩评定

2015年6月

An Analysis of the Differences in Interpersonal Relationships

Between Chinese and Western

A Thesis Presented to the

College of Humanities

Tianjin Agricultural University

In Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Degree

Bachelor of Arts

by

Wang Xuehua

June, 2015

Content

Abstract (in Chinese) ............................................................................................................ I Abstract (in English) ............................................................................................................. II I. Introduction (1)

II. Characteristics of Interpersonal Relationships between Chinese and Western (3)

2. 1Types of interpersonal relationships (3)

2.2 The characteristics of Chinese interpersonal relationship (4)

2.2.1 Traditional ethical relationships (4)

2.2.2 Modern diversified characteristics (6)

2.3The characteristics of Western interpersonal relationships (7)

2.3.1 Equality ideology (7)

2.3.2 Individualism (8)

III. Differences of Interpersonal Relationships between Chinese and Western (9)

3.1 Differences in theories (9)

3.2 Differences in family ties (10)

3.3Differences in family determines (11)

3.4Differences in family missions (11)

3.5Differences in interpersonal communication (12)

3.5.1Different ideologies (12)

3.5.2Different habits (13)

3.5.3Different rules (13)

3.6 Differences in social sanctions (14)

IV. Influences of Interpersonal Relationships between Chinese and Western (15)

4.1 Influences on diversified relationships (15)

4.2 Influences on cross-cultural communication (16)

V. Conclusion (17)

References (19)

Acknowledgements (20)

摘要

本研究旨在探究中西方人际关系差异。随着经济全球化的发展，人际关系成为各国家、各民族之间沟通交流不可或缺的桥梁和纽带。同时，中西方人际往来也越来越频繁，成为带动中西方经济、政治、文化发展的重要因素。因此，中西方的人际关系差异现状成为人们日益关注的焦点。探究中西方人际关系差异成为中西方学者近年来热衷的课题和职责。本文第一章是对人际关系概念及其类型的介绍；第二章分别探讨了中国和西方人际关系的特征；第三章着重对中西人方际关系差异进行对比；第四章分析中西方人际关系差异对中西方跨文化交际的影响；第五章对本论文进行总结，理性看待差异，取其精华，去其糟粕，倡导跨文化交际，促进中西人际关系和谐发展。

关键词：中西方；人际关系；差异

Abstract

This paper focuses on exploring the differences of interpersonal relationships between Chinese and Western. With the development of economic globalization, interpersonal relationships become the indispensable link of communication between different countries and nationalities. At the same time, interpersonal communication becomes more and more frequent and is an important factor for the development of economy, politics and culture in Chinese and Western. Therefore, a lot of people pay increasing attention and growing concern to the phenomenon of Chinese and Western different interpersonal relationships. In recent years, exploring the differences of interpersonal relationship between Chinese and Western is the hot subject research and responsibility for scholars. This paper focuses on exploring the differences of interpersonal relationship between Chinese and Western. The first chapter is the introduction including the concept and types of interpersonal relationships; the second chapter analyzes the characteristics of interpersonal relationships between Chinese and western; the third chapter lays stress on the differences of interpersonal relationships between Chinese and Western ; the fourth chapter analyzes the influences of interpersonal relationships between Chinese and Western; the fifth chapter sums up the core view of the study and encourages modern people to treat differences of interpersonal relationships with rational perspective: discarding the dross and absorbing the essence in the process of interpersonal communication as well as paying more attention to Chinese and Western cross-cultural communication and harmonious interpersonal relationships.

Key words:Chinese and Western; Interpersonal Relationship; Differences

An Analysis of the Differences in Interpersonal Relationships Between

Chinese and Western

Wang Xue hua

(College of Humanities, Tianjin Agricultural University)

I.Introduction

Interpersonal relationships are social associations, connections, or affiliations among people as the basic relationships in daily life. Interpersonal relationships have been regarded as one of hottest topics in society after the development of economy, politics and culture. It is necessary to pay more attention to study the interpersonal relationships which has great influence on our human’s life. There is no doubt that no one can survive isolating from human society and living in a vacuum. The interpersonal relationships among people signified that we are living in order to establish and seek a peaceful and harmonious society which brings benefit to human beings. Interpersonal relationships play a key role in our daily life. Since a large number of people are confused about the concept of interpersonal relationship, we are encouraged to learn and master the knowledge.

Interpersonal relationships are the most common and most important relationships in human history. It is a broad concept of interpersonal relationships so that different people hold different opinions on it (Lu Weiming, Li Hong 14). Sociology defined interpersonal relationships as the social relationships building in the process of people’s production or life activities, while psychology defined interpersonal relationships as the direct psychological connection established in the process of human communications (Li Ming, Lin Ning 1). In this paper, the interpersonal relationships refer to mutual relationships between people which are formed and developed through the mutual cognitions, emotion interactions and communication behaviors. Therefore, it can reflect that the premise of forming an interpersonal relationship is mutual cognition, the method of forming an interpersonal relationship is communication behavior, the characteristic of interpersonal relationship is emotion interaction and the essence of forming an interpersonal relationship is the distance of psychological relationship among people.

People have been compared as social animals and every individual has his or her special thinking, background, attitude, behavior model, and value. Interpersonal relationships have great influence on personal emotion, life, work; even have a large impact on organizational climate, organizational communication, organizational operation, organizational efficiency and relationships between individuals and organization (Li Ming, Lin Ning 31). The growth of individual can not leaves the care of others and the help of human society. The development of each company demands a harmonious interpersonal atmosphere. The stability of each country also requires the orderly coordination of international relationship. According to Lu Shi Chun Qiu record, groups work together with each other and obtain the benefits from each other. Therefore, harmonious interpersonal relationships among individuals or groups are the valuable wealth. They can bring happiness and successful changes to the individuals and give the infinite energy and immeasurable benefits to organizations, society and countries.

II. Characteristics of Interpersonal Relationships between Chinese and Western

2. 1Types of interpersonal relationships

The types of interpersonal relationships are the most complicated which have been studied by many scholars (Li Ming, Lin Ning 72). According to different standards about how to definite the types of interpersonal relationships, this thesis divide the types of interpersonal relationships into three parts.

Types based on the joint link can be divided into blood relationships, geographical relationships, occupational relationships and interesting relationships.

Firstly, blood relationships refer to the relationships between people depending on blood ties. Therefore, it is common to think that blood relationships are produced by marriage or family birth which includes the relationships of parents and children, brothers and sisters, and so on. In the China traditional culture clannism, the common custom principle and the blood relationship culture are transmitted from one generation to another. So the blood relationship plays an important role in the development of Chinese culture and harmonization of family life.

Geographical relationships mean the interpersonal relationships between people relying on the geographic network and manageable geographic areas due to daily life, activities and communication. For example, the fellow-townsmen relationship and the neighborhood relationship are the typical geographical relationship in our daily life.

Occupational relationships indicate the relationships between people formed by occupational ties, such as colleague relationship, relationship between superiors and subordinates, relationship between teachers and students, alliance relationship.

Interests relationships refer to the relationship among people depending on interests and hobbies including friendships, love relationship and so on.

Types based on the psychological disposition can be divided into master-slave type, cooperating type and competitive type.

Master-slave type is the basic interpersonal relationship especially for those people who work and live in the specific situation. A significant number of people are likely to govern others, while a minority of people would like to obey others. Those two kinds of people work together with each other to form the master-slave interpersonal relationship.

Cooperating type is the relationship between people achieving the common goal and making a profit result through cooperation. At the same time, they also have to tolerate each other in the process of working together. Competitive type is the relationship among people in competition for the purpose of obtaining their respective interests.

Types based on the psychological purpose can be divided into emotional relationship, implement relationship and mixture relationship.

Emotional relationship is the demand of people’s m utual emotional communication for forming harmonious psychological atmosphere such as friendship and love affair.Implement relationship is the interpersonal type based on utilitarian profits of people, such as customer relationship.

Mixture relationship is the mixture of emotional relationship and implements relationship. Interpersonal relationships can not exist without any utilitarian element or any emotional colors. The most stable and longest interpersonal relationship is the relationship not only a mixture of demand and interests, but also a catharsis of sensibility (Lu Weiming, Li Hong 203).

2.2 The characteristics of Chinese interpersonal relationship

2.2.1 Traditional ethical relationships

The traditional culture, habitual thought and mind of a nation are provided with strong inheritable characteristic so that the valuable and communicative behaviour looks like an invisible rope restrict and affect people’s life style and social behaviour (Zhang Zihui 25). It is generally known that Chinese culture has a long history and is profound, so that the characteristics of Chinese traditional interpersonal relationships had been profoundly influenced by Chinese traditional culture, habitual thought and mind. Therefore, traditional ethic had been regarded as the orthodox thought in ancient China and traditional interpersonal communication. So the characteristics of traditional ethical relationships can be clearly divided into four points.

First of all, family orientation was one of major characteristics in traditional Chinese society. In other word, family orientation requires Chinese people pay their attention to the family. Chinese families was embodied in family cognition, family emotion and family willingness. From the point of family cognition, Chinese families focused on family continuation, family harmony, family unity, family riches and family honour. For emotion,

Chinese families paid more attention to the sense of oneness, belonging, honour and disgrace, responsibility and security. Chinese ancient people held the view that the family willingness include multiplying descendant, worshipping ancestors, interdependence, toleration, obedience and so on. As the family member, it is their duty and responsibility to complete the family mission of becoming the pride of later generations and bring glory on their ancestors. Chinese people regarded family as the centre of life so that family’s honour, family’s unity, family goal are more important than individuals.

Secondly, relationship orientation is another characteristic which plays an important role in traditional relationships including relationship roles, interdependency, and relationship harmony and affinity degree. Rrelationship roles reflected that Chinese people would like to emphasize on their identity in the relations of social communication. For instance, people would like to introduce themselves to elder people that “I am the son of someone” or “I am someone’s student.” Iinterdependency was a relationship focusing on mutual dependency in Chinese interpersonal relationship. From this point, ancient people aimed to obtain benefits and sought the common development in the process of interpersonal communication. Iinterpersonal harmony is a relationship emphasizing on harmonious ddevelopment. Ancient people stressed on the harmony between god and people, man and man even ignoring the reasonable reasons. If someone destroyed this kind of harmony, no matter he was right or not, his behaviour will be regarded as incorrect action. As a result, people will try their best to make the choice to do things conforming the other’s expectation to maintain harmonious relationship. Affinity degree of relationships were more important than any others societies in human historic of China. Therefore, affinity degree of relationships can be divided into family relationship, acquainted relationship and unacquainted relationship accordance with closeness degree (Li Ming, Lin Ning 6).

Thirdly, authority orientation is one of characteristics also popular in traditional Chinese society. Since a large number of families follow the principle of father-oriented system which deeply influenced on traditional people, the authority orientation became the main part of Chinese feudal orthodox though and played an important role in the Confucianism legal idea.

Finally, there was an obvious characteristic of Chinese people that they are easily

affected by thoughts and behaviours of others. People are usually serious with other people’s suggestions, standards so they are easily influenced by other people in daily life (Li Ming, Lin Ning 7).

2.2.2 Modern diversified characteristics

With the development of urbanization and social transformation, the characteristics of Chinese modern interpersonal relationships have been greatly changed.

The first characteristic is openness and diversity. In the previous system of planned economy, Chinese interpersonal relationships are far less diversified. While during the market economy and internet era, the dynamic forms of communication such as competition, fluctuation and differentiation are active in society so that breaking the past single management and obedience of static form in communication. At the same time, the networked communication is without limitation of time and space and expands the interpersonal communication and interpersonal skills, which make the Chinese modern interpersonal relationships more open, diversified and valuable.

The second characteristic of modern interpersonal relationships in China is mutual benefits and anomie behavior. The same as traditional relationships, modern interpersonal relationships aim to seek the mutual benefits, the development, the innovation, the high achieves and even better goal in society. Therefore, more and more people gradually realized the necessity of gaining mutual benefit in the process of interpersonal communication, so they would like to connect to those people who can provide benefits and help to them. In the other hand, they have to show their ability to provide reasonable reward to those people in order to keep the balance and long-term development relationship in the interpersonal communication. At the same time, with the growth in the living standard, people pay much attention to the material interests, the anomie behavior of interpersonal relationships gradually appearing in daily life which embodied in alienation of interpersonal emotion and trust crisis. People gradually tend to be ignorant of morality and stress on the importance of excessive consumption even losing emotion and loving heart in interpersonal communication. Otherwise, trust crisis has become the important factor to hinder in daily communication among acquaintances or strangers.

Thirdly, the development of network changes the style of interpersonal communication. Indirection and universality also become the characteristics of

relationships. The communicative style between people varies from face-to-face to the indirect form of man-machine-man. The restriction of space and time has been disappeared in network generation because the development of commuter and smartphone has a deep impact on people’s daily life in information ear.

Last but not least, unrealism and anonymity are the other characteristics of interpersonal relationships. Internet users usually do not contact each other directly, which makes it easily to break the limitation of true traditional factors and provide incorrect information on internet such as age, appearance, social identity, background and gender (Li Ming, Lin Ning 9).

2.3The characteristics of Western interpersonal relationships

Different with the traditional Chinese interpersonal relationships, Western interpersonal relationships regard individual and equality ideology as the pursuit in their daily life. Westerner also stress on rights and duties in their whole lifetime. They deeply believe that the right belongs to everyone and the duty is the mission of their life.

2.3.1 Equality ideology

In ancient Western countries, equality ideology appeared earlier than hierarchy. In primitive society, leaders and subordinates had already existed in the purpose of forming organization. (Liu Xiaoxin, Bi Aiping 17). The leaders and subordinates were equal in society and without hierarchy difference.

During the period of Slave Society and Middle Age, equality ideology was not so popular to people in society. The equality ideology was less popular than hierarchy ideology in a short time in history, so that people regarded hierarchy ideology as the rule of interpersonal relationships in Slave Society. Theology of Christian was also taken as the priority in Middle Age. Plato was the representative philosopher of hierarchy ideology in noble of slave owner. In that period, slave owner supported hierarchy in society.

Before the movement of Renaissance, hierarchy ideology is popular in society. While with the rise of humanistic spirit, the Renaissance regarded people as the center position and paid more attention to people’s soci al position. Many artists advocated everyone was born with equality through their art works and stressed the morality and ability were the standard to measure people’s social positions instead of the identity and family background and so on. After the movement of Renaissance, the ideologists of the Enlightenment firmly

believed that it is reasonable to advocate equality to everyone. They advocated people’s rights born with nature and god and couldn’t disappear in the word. This kind of human rights includes right of life, right to exist, right of freedom and right of equality and so on (Liu Xiaoxin, Bi Aiping 18).

Thus in modern society, equality ideology enjoys popular support by people in a lot of Western countries and has been influenced by western historic factors. Equality ideology affects individuals, families and even the cooperation of organizations which play an important role in their daily life and interpersonal relationships for westerners.

2.3.2 Individualism

The individualism in Western society can be traced bake to the Renaissance in the time of 14th to 16th centuries. In this period, personal independence, peculiarity, interests and rights were inviolate and had been regarded as the demand of people in order to resisting religious government and feudalism. The basic concept of individualism refers to have the infinite energy to perfect them, to pursue individual freedom and to assert the dignity of individuals. In other word, individuals had the right to enjoy happiness. The ultimate aim of society was to satisfy the needs and interests of individuals.

With the rise of Enlightenment in society, individualism was considered as a theoretical perspective, it has been evaluated from system in the Enlightenment. For instance, the English thinker of Locke, French ideologists of V oltaire and Rousseau are the representatives of individualism. (Liu Xiaoxin, Bi Aiping 19)

Individualism is an ideological trend in society so that people regard it as the basic factor to influence interpersonal relationships in modern communications. In conclusion, individualism plays a very important role to interpersonal communications. Individualism, as a basic concept to people, encourage human beings pursues their personal rights in the process of interpersonal communications.

III. Differences of Interpersonal Relationships between Chinese and Western

3.1 Differences in theories

First of all, the differences between Chinese and Western countries are the theories. In Western countries, people stress on theological theory and regard God as the holy object capable of power over a particular part of the word or nature. The characteristics of theological ethics are as follow: its central fields are the theological theories of virtue and the theological outlook on life. Theological theories advocated that the duty of human beings from the will of God. The westerners will hold different activities during the special festival for the purpose of advocating the theological theories and attracting more local people to take part in it. They firmly believe that all human beings are regarded as the God’s people or the God’ son. Therefore, Westerners explain everything connecting to the God.

Chinese people regard humanistic theory as the pursuit in their life. Humanistic theories emphasize the importance of human inner word and places human thought, feeling, and emotion into the front position of individual psychological development. Fu Xi, the ancestor of China, held the view that human beings are the best object in universe instead of God. In fact, religions didn’t exist in Chi nese history and they are introduced by other countries because of the cultural transmission all over the world. In ancient China, Chinese people only worship their ancestors and believe human beings are the domination of themselves. Therefore, Chinese people established a set of thoughts and relationships between people in the interpersonal relationships are out of control.

3.2 Differences in family ties

Westerners regard individuals as an unity. Individualism plays a key role in the Western history and it has a profound influence on the modern society. Western families focus on the individual interest rather than family benefits in interpersonal communication. Westerners believe that every individual of family should develop with free way in life so that group can develop well (Zeng Shiqiang, Liu Junzheng 35). Western culture emphasizes that an individual is important than group and all the groups are established by anthropogenic indenture. Therefore, Westerners usually ask a child what his name is directly when they meet each other on the street. They also greet their elders with the way

of uncle, aunt, grandmother and grandfather in their interpersonal relationships（Li Ming, Lin Ning 9).

In China, people regard family as a unity. Chinese interpersonal relationships are affected by Chinese culture. People agree with the idea that groups are more important than individual person. Therefore, people believe groups are more important than individual person and everybody can’t bear without parents. Chinese people will be interested in knowing the answer of which family the child belongs to rather than what his name is when they meet on the street. Then people will judge the character of a child according to his father rather than the child’s behavior. In a similar way, if the child makes some mistakes, people will put all wrongs on his parents and family and blame his parents do not do a good job in child’s education. The Chinese domestic relationships are complex as well as varied. For example, the word “cousin” includ es the name of Tang Jie, Tang Mei, Tang Ge, Tang Di, Biao Jie, Biao Mei, Biao Ge, Biao Di. Tang Jie and Tang Mei are the elder and younger sisters from paternal family, Tand Ge and Tang Di are the elder and younger brothers coming from paternal family. While Biao Jie and Biao Mei are elder and younger sisters coming from maternal family, Biao Ge and Biao Di also the elder and younger brothers from maternal family. Other examples are the name of “Shu Shu” means the father’s younger brother, while “Bo b o” refers to father’s elder brother. “Jiu Jiu” represent s the mother’s younger brother and so on. Chinese people realized that human beings become intelligent part of the universe attributing to their learning and cooperation in a group environment and pay more attention to group thinking in interpersonal communication (Li Ming, Lin Ning 10).

3.3Differences in family determines

Westerners admire freedom in their daily life and respect their children’s choices in family determines. Children are the members of family and have rights to make any determination as long as they follow their hearts. The parents will respect the children’s options and give more right of choice to them. Both parents and children follow the principle of freedom and democracy. Therefore, respecting children’s option has been regarded as an important part in family life and the interpersonal communication in Western relationships.

In China, the relationships between parents and children are different from Western

countries. Fathers and mothers are both the head of family and the guardians of children. So they have a big influence on the children’s choices when their children make the decisions. If children’s determination are not satisfied or even against to the parental will, the children usually follow the advice of parents. A lot of parents teach their children with a divine image and play a key role in family function, so their opinions will be considered as the right experiences. Children would like to take their parents opinions and suggestions in order to avoid detours and mistakes in their life and career. Therefore, the family educations about determination are different in Chinese and West countries which results in different interpersonal relationships between Chinese people and westerners.

3.4Differences in family missions

In Western countries, the relationship between father and son also stress on the rights and obligations. The son will be raised by their parents before eighteen years old. While after eighteen years old, the child should make a living by himself in society. It is not the duty for parents to raise their children after their children being the adults. (Li Ming, Lin Ning 10) So children’s obligations are to find the part time job to earn money and support their life and school fees.

While in the opinions of Chinese people, family members should take care of each other. Chinese parents would like to support their children after the kids are eighteen years old. They still pay for the children’s school tuition and all expenses in life even though the kids are adults. If the parents refuse to do so, they will be condemned by morality. Even without the moral condemnation, a lot of Chinese parents are not hardhearted enough to let their children earn money. A lot of parents hold the view that it is too hard for children to make money under the pressure of study. In return, when children graduate from university and begin to work, they should take care of their parents. It is the duty and moral demand in China. Western and Chinese interpersonal relationships are affected by their national cultures. Because of the different culture between Chinese and Western countries, the Chinese and Western people are get along with their family members in different way.

3.5Differences in interpersonal communication

3.5.1Different ideologies

Equality has been regarded as a priority in Western interpersonal relationships. Westerners firmly believe that all of people are born of equality in the word. Everyone has

the right to pursue independence and freedom. The son can call the father’s name directly because everyone has equal right in a family (Li Ming, Lin Ning 10). It is firmly believe that equality of family members including the status equality, education equality, sexual equality and so on.

In Chinese interpersonal relationships, people deeply believe that everybody is born with reasonable inequality instead of equality. The relationship between father and son, superior and subordinate, teacher and student will be distinguished. Seniority and the younger generation are regarded as the unequal social status (Li Ming, Lin Ning 10). Chinese people usually treat different people with different attitudes in social interpersonal communication especially in the field of their occupational works. For instance, to subordinates, the majority of people agree with the idea that it is reasonable to treat them strictly. While as the superior, people usually show them sincere respect to them and some people even blindly worship them in the purpose of giving good impression to their leaders. However, Chinese people can’t tolerate the inequality excess the standard. If the inequality goes beyond a standard and can not satisfy the will of the majority, people will revolt to this kind of behavior. At the same time, Chinese people firmly believe that it is impossible to create the unconditional equality under national condition of limited resources and changeable era (Li Ming, Lin Ning 10).Therefore, Chinese people would like to stress on the reasonable inequality and aim to pursue the reasonable equality in their interpersonal communication and relationships.

3.5.2Different habits

Westerners are polite to others and they offer greetings to others politely when they meet acquaintances. In fact, this kind of behavior indicates that westerners respect to privacy of other people. For example, if westerners see a friend have something wrong with the mouth, they will avoid paying more attention to it and show their politeness to friend with respect greetings: “How are yo u?” The friend will answer with respect way that: “I’m fine, thank you.”

Things can be different in China. Chinese people encounter this kind of situation, the reflection will be different. Chinese people will show their enthusiastic care to the friend and usually say that: “W hat’s wrong with you mouth?” W hat’s more, they’ll usually suggest their friend to go to see a doctor.

Westerners respect other’s privacy and pay less attention to care other priva te things including physical health, age and wealth and so on. They hold the view that it is polite to respect other’s independence. Chinese people regard the spirit of showing loving care for others as the traditional virtue. So when the elderly walk on the street hardly, Chinese people will help them in interpersonal relationships. While westerners will respect to the elderly independence without any action if the elderly can deal with it by themselves even though they look hardly in Western interpersonal relationships (Li Ming, Lin Ning 11).

3.5.3Different rules

In western countries, people concentrate on the way of how to be a guest instead of reception in national interpersonal relationships. During reception, the host’s tries to be enthusiastic to the gusts and create the atmosphere of being at home. In return, the criterions of being guest are more important than reception. For instance, gusts should arrive at the host’s house on time. Being too late or too earlier will be regarded as impolite way. In general, gusts need to bring some gifts to host the family such as wine or fruits. Before serving or after a meal, guests should ask host a question like: “C an I help you?” the host sometimes will let you help to clear the table or wash the dishes. It is a good way for host to create the cordial atmosphere to gusts.

In Chinese interpersonal relationships, people pay more attention to the reception. Chinese people are very friendly and enthusiastic so that hospitality is a traditional custom all over the country. In general, Chinese people prepare everything before guests arrive such as cleaning house, buying foods and so on. In fact, the Chinese meals have profound influence on the interpersonal communication. On the one hand, people can make friends to show their welcome and enthusiasm in the dining tables. On the other hand, dining tables also have the function to promote cooperation in business and work. Therefore, reception plays a very important role in Chinese interpersonal communications.

3.6 Differences in social sanctions

In Western interpersonal relationships, the powerful social sanctions are the laws and regulations. On the one hand, those laws and regulations are logical and clear, people can learn them easily. In the other hand, those laws and regulations can be carried out seriously so that guiding people far away from the power abuse. Western world govern countries by law strictly so that forming a rigid sanction in society.

While in China, the laws and regulations and moral constraint are both important to social stability. At present, China is a nation inclining to “management by man” and moral constrains. However, the legal systems are a notable flexibility because they have been gradually completed and perfected in recent years. Therefore, Chinese people form a habit of bringing out the facts and reasons and observe the laws and discipline in daily life. As a result, China can be regarded as a country which combines with the rule of law and rule of man. Therefore, Chinese people stress on morality and law in their interpersonal relationships.

IV. Influences of Interpersonal Relationships between Chinese and Western

4.1 Influences on diversified relationships

The differences of interpersonal relationships between Chinese and Western countries make more and more people realized that it is necessary to improve the awareness of diversity in interpersonal communication. The social diversity of interpersonal relationships encourages people to increase understanding and respect for perspectives and behaviors that differ from our owns (Julia 44). With the rapidly global development in modern society, a lot of people hold the view that it is a wise way to learn the different cultures, customs from the process of interpersonal relationships between Chinese and Western. What’s more, the different interpersonal communication s between Chinese and Western have profoundly influence on the people. We encourage Chinese and Western people to communicate and meet psychological needs and express feelings by talking to others; to enhance and maintain their sense of self; to develop relationships and manage conflict (Verderber 11). We also communicate to share information, to influence others in the purpose of developing the interpersonal relationships between Chinese and Westerners ( Verderber 72).

4.2 Influences on cross-cultural communication

The differences of interpersonal relationships between Chinese and Western , in fact, are the diversities of values, thinking styles, talking principles and cultural background and so on ( Zhang Xie 459). Therefore, crossing the diversity of interpersonal relationships between the Chinese and Western is the demand of modern global world. Cultural relativity illustrates that it is a universal situation to exist cultural diversity. In a specific cultural standard, believes, rules, models apply to the specific cultural context. At the same time, it is unwise to use interpersonal relationships criterions in different culture context instead of the specific cultural context. Therefore, in order to achieve cross-cultural interpersonal communication, Chinese and Western people should focus on the following points:

First of all, admit the differences of interpersonal relationships between Chinese and Western. The world is made up of multiple nationalities which result in cultural diversity of the world. What’s more, recogn ize the differences of interpersonal relationships between