Abstract

Interpersonal relationship, a kind of social relation built in the process of production and life, is one of people’s basic needs. People with different cultural backgrounds have different cognitions about interpersonal relationship. Contradictions, conflicts, and misunderstandings are unavoidable in cross-cultural communications. This paper focuses on the analysis of the differences in kinship and friendship between China and America in the movie Guasha Treatment and the cultural factors. Thus, we can get a better understanding of eastern and western culture, resolve the conflicts and contradictions, and promote cross-cultural communications.

Key words: interpersonal relationship; kinship; friendship; cultural factors; GuaSha

摘 要

人际关系是人们在生产或生活活动过程中所建立的一种社会关系，是人的基本社会需求。不同文化背景下的人们对于人际关系的认知也不同, 他们在互相交往的过程中，往往会产生矛盾、冲突和误解。本文通过分析电影《刮痧》中中美两国人对待亲情、友情这两种人际关系的差异，及导致此类差异的文化因素，以期帮助人们加深对中西方文化的理解，化解人际关系中的各种矛盾冲突,进一步促进跨文化交流。
   
关键词：人际关系；亲情；友情；文化因素；刮痧

1. Introduction
    Interpersonal relationship, an association that happens in the course of physical contact and spiritual interactions between two or more people, includes kinship, friendship, marriage and relations of associates. Sociologists defined it as a social relationship built in the process of production and social life activities, while psychologists defined it as a direct psychological connection in the interaction process. Influenced by social, cultural, and other factors, people in different countries have different cognitions of interpersonal relationship. In western countries, interpersonal relationship is characterized by freedom, equality, simplicity, and independence, while in eastern countries, it is characterized by virtue and morality. With the globalization in recent decades, cultural conflicts in cross-cultural communication seem to be unavoidable.