Title

A Content Analysis of Arguing Behaviors: A Case Study of Romania as Compared to the United States

Abstract

This paper examines how arguing behaviors are enacted and structured among members of two cultures. We present the results of a content analysis of Romanian (N = 166) and U.S. American (N = 236) naïve actors' self reports. Differences emerged between the two cultures in respect to topics of argument, argumentation partners, the contextual appropriateness of arguing, the role of arguing, and also within each culture, based on how arguing was conceptualized (i.e., a quarrel or a debate/discussion). No cross-cultural differences were found in the goals people pursued while arguing. The discussion offers a characterization of arguing behaviors in the two cultures. Implications of these results and limitations of the study are also addressed.

Document Type

Article

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1080/00028533.2015.11821853

Keywords

arguing in Romania, content analysis of arguing behaviors, arguing and culture, structuration theory

Publication Date

2015

Journal Title

Argumentation and Advocacy

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