A review by margaretefg
The Geography of Thought: How Asians and Westerners Think Differently...and Why by Richard Nisbett

3.0

This is a fascinating read. Nisbett uses a kind of historical imagination to point to differences in thought between ancient Greeks and ancient Chinese. That part seemed questionable, but then he backs up that theory with reference to numerous specific studies of Asians and Westerners. He reports the study results precisely (Japanese mothers and American mothers, etc), and shows middle ground (Asian Americans, or in some cases, some Europeans.) The idea that Asians tend to see field, connections and continuity; while Westerners see objects separately and discontinuity will stay with me, as will Nisbett's suggestion that people both think differently and yet that they can adapt that model. Still thinking about how this applies to my own work with students.