US and Chinese cultural beliefs about learning

This study examined U.S. and Chinese conceptions of learning with learning-related terms collected from U.S. and Chinese college students. Cluster analysis yielded a hierarchical structure of this lexicon for each culture. The 2 sets of cultural beliefs contained such different notions about learning that there was little overlap, however. The English terms included elaborated conceptions of mental processes, internal learner characteristics, social, contexts, and externally existing bodies of knowledge. Most Chinese terms dealt with "seeking knowledge" including personal attitudes, purposes, and action plans for learning. Chinese conceptions also emphasized achievement standards of breadth and depth of knowledge, the unity of knowing and morality, and contributions to society.