Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the psycho-social characteristics of the interpersonal relationship of Korean adults by reviewing the historical and philosophical background of Korean society, the collectivist-individualist perspective on interpersonal behavior, and the results from several empirical researches on this issue. The Confucianism as a governing philosophy of the Chosun Dynasty critically affected to Korean people on their value system, behavioral norm etc. One of the main ideas of the ideology was human heartedness(interpersonal relationship). Korean society was classified as a typical collectivist culture and it was identified by the results of several empirical studies. The purpose and function of the association of alumni of Korea showed more collectivist tendency in comparison with those of America. But several recent researches found that Korean people like to have individualist characteristics and to form a new style group which can be worked in the cyber space. The results of these studies concluded that the value system and cultural norm of Korean society have begun to move toward individualist and more liberal. The issue regarding social change was suggested as a research subject of (community) psychologist.