Cultural styles, relationship schemas, and prejudice against out-groups.

Two studies provide evidence that, in work situations, Latins (Mexicans & Mexican-Americans) are guided by a concern with socioemotional aspects of workplace relations to a far greater degree than are Anglo-Americans.The focus on socioemotional considerations results in Latins having a relatively greater preference for workgroups having a strong interpersonal orientation.Preferred relational style had a far greater impact on preferences for workgroups and judgements about their likely success than did the ethnic composition of the workgroups, for both Latins and Anglo-Americans.Evidence that the two groups differ markedly in relational schemas comes from examination of suggestions about how group performance could be improved, judgements about whether a focus on socioemotional concerns necessarily entails a reduction in task focus, and recall for socioemotional aspects of workgroup interactions.Implications for the dynamics of intercultural contact are discussed.