A Study on the Structural Relationship among Cultural Openness, Preoccupation and Discrimination, and Reciprocity Willingness of University Students: Based in the Gwangju and Jeonnam

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to set and verify causal effect structure among reciprocity willingness, culture openness, preoccupation, and discrimination of university students based on Bennett’s intercultural sensitivity development theory and Ellis’ rational emotional behavioral treatment. Through this, it was tried to propose direction of policy development to improve multi?cultural acceptability of all Koreans as well as university students. To achieve the research objectives, a survey was performed on freshmen of 4 universities in Gwangju and Jeonnam using KMIC (Korean Multi?Culturalism Inventory). 500 copies of questionnaires were distributed and 458 copies were collected. Out of them, 355 copies were used for final analysis. The following conclusions were made at the analysis. First, cultural openness made negative influence on preoccupation and discrimination. Second, cultural openness made positive influence on reciprocity willingness. Third, preoccupation and discrimination made negative influence on reciprocity willingness. Fourth, preoccupation and discrimination mediated cultural openness and reciprocity willingness. Based on the research results, three tasks were proposed to enhance multicultural acceptability of university students. First, we need a policy to make multi culture related program production mandatory. Second, subject courses reflecting multi?culture acceptability development stages should be developed. Third, to increase cultural openness of university students, current overseas study, intern system, and international youth exchange system should be expanded.