Evolution of Korean Chinese Family Cultural Psychology : A Case Study of Three Korean Chinese Families

Korean Chinese is a cross-border ethnic minority group immigrating to China from the Korean Peninsula. It has been more than 400 years since the 17th century when Koreans moved to and settled in Northeastern China. Among the current population of more than 1.8 million, most are descendants of the immigrants in the Free Immigration Period from 1910 to 1931. Korean Chinese has created a valuable material and spiritual wealth with their diligence and wisdom, and has become an indispensable part of China with its unique ethnic culture and characteristics. Korean Chinese family culture is gradually formed and developed in the long-term practices of production and life, and its unique value system and behavioral pattern make Korean Chinese a distinguish ethnic group. Under the influence of China’s “Regional Autonomy for Ethnic Minorities Policy,” Korean Chinese’s culture absorbs the essence of Chinese traditional culture, but also retains its outstanding characteristics. The evolution of Korean Chinese culture can be reflected by the generational development of the Korean Chinese families. In this article, three fourthgeneration families are chosen, whose ancestors moved to China in the Free Immigration Period. Interviews were conducted to investigate five dimensions regarding Korean Chinese family cultural psychology, including immigration history, the formation of ethnic identity, the usage of native language, ethnic cognitive and emotional development, and the construction of ethnic consciousness and education. The evolution of family members’ four psychological characteristics (knowledge, emotion, will, and behavior) was analyzed to explore the development and change of Korean Chinese family cultural psychology in different political, economic and cultural development periods.