AbstractsPsychology

With increased globalization, more individuals temporarily leave home to work and study in foreign countries. These sojourners are confronted with societal norms different from their home cultures. The present study investigated the extent to which international student sojourners perceive differences in emotional display norms between their home and host cultures, as well as the influence of such perception on adjustment. Although accurate perception of the host culture’s emotional display rules was not related to adjustment, a “guest” effect existed. Specifically, international student participants reported that one should display less emotion in the host culture, despite the cultural norms for greater display of emotion in the host culture than in the sojourners’ home cultures. Future research directions and practical applications for organizations sending individuals abroad are discussed.