WHAT IS CULTURE?Cultural Dimensions Theory for the College Classroom

Prepared by: Jennifer Robertson, Valencia College, 2014

UNIT OUTCOMES• Define culture and terms associated to culture

• Identify Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions

• Understand different value and belief systems between individualistic and collectivistic cultures

• Discover how culture can contribute to conflict with a work group or organization

• Interact in a manner that reflects the cultural sensitivities within a foreign environment

AN INTRODUCTION TO CULTURE

THE ICEBERG THEORY OF CULTURE

DOMINO ACTIVITY – FIND THIS!

Put all the vocabulary words next to their corresponding definitions so that you form a circle in the end.

CULTURE

The set of attitudes, values, beliefs, and behaviors shared by a group of people, but different for each individual, communicated from one generation to the next.

Matsumoto, 1996

THREE LEVELS OF MENTAL PROGRAMMING

Hofstede, 1994

CULTURE DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• Is it possible to truly understand a culture outside of your own? Why or why not?

• How can we study the elements of culture “below the surface”?

• How can we avoid stereotyping?

• When examining the behaviors and values of a culture, how can we get away from feelings of “right” versus “wrong”?

AMERICAN CULTURE

Work with a partner to provide one example of the different features of culture on your handout.

CULTURAL DIMENSIONS THEORY

HOFSTEDE’S CULTURAL DIMENSIONS THEORY

The Hofstede Center

• Power Distance (PDI)

• Individualism vs. Collectivism (IDV)

• Masculinity vs. Femininity (MAS)

• Uncertainty Avoidance (UAI)

• Long Term vs. Short-Term Orientation (LTO)

• Indulgence vs. Restraint (IVR)

HOFSTEDE’S CULTURAL DIMENSIONS THEORY

INDIVIDUALISM VS. COLLECTIVISM

Watch a short video on individualism and collectivism:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW7aWKXB5J4

HIGHLY INDIVIDUALISTIC CULTURES

• People taking care of themselves / immediate family

• Self-orientation

• Identity based on individual

• Guilt culture

• Making decisions based on individual needs

• “I” mentality

• Emphasis on individual initiative and achievement

• Everyone has a right to a private life

HIGHLY COLLECTIVISTIC CULTURES

• Expect absolute loyalty to group (nuclear family, extended family, caste, organization)

• Group orientation• Decisions based on what is best for the group.• Identity based on social system• Shame culture• Dependence on organization and institutions (Expects

organization / institution / group to take care of individual)• “We” mentality• Emphasis on belonging• Private life “invaded” by institution and organizations to

which one belongs

INDIVIDUALISM VS. COLLECTIVISM

Check out the country rankings:

http://hbdchick.wordpress.com/2013/09/07/national-individualism-collectivism-scores/

CROSS-CULTURAL CONFLICT

CROSS-CULTURAL CONFLICTCross-cultural conflict can be defined as conflict generated, and perhaps exacerbated or perpetuated, by cultural differences among the groups involved in the conflict. A person’s culture informs his or her worldview, moral code, judgments, and ideas or perceptions about others. Of course, these aspects of a culture can be incorrect or misinformed, leading to conflict with other cultures or groups of people. The power of culture is strong, however, and it can be difficult to overcome cross-cultural conflict, as evidenced by the numerous conflicts between different cultural groups that continue to rage around the world today.

Kinney, www.ehow.com, What Is Cross-Cultural Conflict?

CROSS-CULTURAL CONFLICT

ETHNOCENTRIC: The DON’Ts• Don’t ignore the differences or deny they exist• Don’t evaluate them negatively• Don’t minimize their importance• Don’t put your own beliefs/values above others

ETHNORELATIVE: The DOs• Recognize, seek to understand, and accept the

differences• Adapt to the differences by moving out of your

comfort zone• Integrate the differences into a new frame of

reference• Proactively look for the good in other cultures• Internalize the best of both cultures

BAFA, BAFA CROSS-CULTURAL SIMULATION

SUMMING IT UP

GLOBAL CITIZENSHIPWHAT IS GLOBAL-MINDEDNESS?

• A value orientation, or frame of reference, apart from knowledge about, or interest in, international relations.

• We identify as highly world-minded the individual who favors a world-view of the problems of humanity, whose primary reference group is mankind, rather than American, English, or Chinese.”

Sampson and Smith, 1957

IN SUMMARY

A Declaration of Interdependence