Large-Scale Psychological Differences within China Explained by the Zongfa System

Recently, more and more scholars have realised differences in terms of individualism and collectivism within China; however, they are often unable to explain the reasons. Social institutions may affect culture prior to ecological factors. As early as the 11th century BCE, the country developed a new and unique kinship-intensive system—the zongfa system—on a kinship-based social structure. The zongfa system’s core value was the inheritance right of the eldest son of the principal wife and the assurance of posthumous worship. This system adjusted the most important social relations of individuals: property and personal relations. It turns the personal property relationship into an economic one within the family and Chinese lineage. It also encourages individuals to play their roles and fulfil their obligations in the established social relationship. Therefore, collectivism becomes the inevitable cultural result of the zongfa system. Noticeably, the regional differences in China’s zongfa system exhibit similar characteristics to the regional differences between individualism and collectivism. Proposedly, regional differences in zongfa systems may have contributed to differences in individualist and collectivist cultures within China. To test this hypothesis, three studies were conducted. Study 1 used questionnaires to collect data from 6,700 subjects and found through regression analysis that individuals’ frequency of activities related to the zongfa system significantly and positively predicted collectivism. Study 2 utilised social media (Weibo) big data to measure the individualism and collectivism of over 300,000 subjects from more than 190 cities. Through hierarchical linear regression, it was found that the zongfa system at the city level significantly and positively predicted individuals’ collectivism. Study 3 employed the macro-data of 816 districts and counties in China and verified the hypothesis through mediation and structural equation analyses. It further posited that regional differences in zongfa systems were for maintaining social stability and strengthening social control. It also assumed an intermediary model of ‘distance from the political centre → regional differences in zongfa systems → cultural differences in individualism/collectivism’. The three studies consistently found that the zongfa system can effectively explain the cultural differences in individualism and collectivism within China. Moreover, this study discussed the evidence related to previous theories in the findings and illustrated the contributions, limitations and future research directions.