Chapter 3- Culture and Gender

Question 1

Culture(6 bullet points)

Answer 1

culture- learned set of enduring values, beliefs, and practices shared by an identifiable and large group
values- deeply felt and shared view of what is good or right behavior
beliefs- what a person thinks is true or probable
co culture- people who live in one dominant culture but are connected to another culture that is very different
cultures are highly stable and resistant to change
value dimensions- the varying levels of importance placed on what is good, right, and worthwhile, leads to miscommunications between different cultures

Question 2

Individualist vs Collectivist(4 bullet points)

Answer 2

most important value dimensions of culture
individualist- “me” orientated, independent of groups and hierarchies, emphasis on self and achievement, rational look of benefits and drawbacks of relationships, emphasizes rights and freedom, use “I am” statements with personality trait, look at why emotions and individual experience led them to an action
collectivist- “we’ orientated, closely linked to groups(family, organizations), take notice of place in hierarchy, downplay personal goals in favor of group goals, freedom is less important if it disturbs the peace, use “I am” statements with function in society(like son or daughter), look at situational influences on why they did something
cultures vary in their emphasis on both and no culture is either one

Question 3

Culture influences Communication(11 bullet points)

Answer 3

provides framework for conversation- what’s appropriate, rules for interaction
gives non verbal cues meaning(hand wave, middle finger)
socialization- teaches individualist and collectivist beliefs, communication of shared cultural practices, beliefs, and values from generation to generation, affects way we communicate because it teaches us
individualist communication skills- extroverted, independent, more competitive, low context communication style(precise, direct, explicit, self expression valued, persuasion openly a goal)
collectivist communication skills- cooperation and harmony more important, dependent on each other, high communication style(read between the lines, not everything is said, vague to avoid offense
low PD- allows for disagreement between supervisor and subordinate, friendships in professional environment
high PD- desire to maintain power disparities, subordinates don’t question or disagree with boss
masculine cultures- men speak in ways that boost their self esteem, women speak in ways that will enhance relationships
feminine cultures- communicate in ways that place relationships over power
gender differences hypothesis- men and women communicate in vastly different ways
gender similarities hypothesis- men and women communicate in mostly similar ways, with just small differences

Question 4

Power Distance Dimension(3 bullet points)

Answer 4

power distance dimension- acceptability of unequal distribution of power in organizations
low PD- equal power sharing, discourages status differences, challenges authority and organization, typically individualist
high PD- keep power distinctions, authority unchallenged, most powerful allowed to do anything, tend to be collectivist

Question 5

Ethnocentrism(6 bullet points)

Answer 5

ethnocentrism- belief that your culture is superior to other cultures
all cultures are a little ethnocentric
ex: immigrants called aliens
learned belief from experiencing another culture which may be weird
results in low PD cultures judging high PD and vice versa
cultural relativism- cultures are just different, not deficient, respect all cultures, can be judged for wrong actions outside culture
multiculturalism- promotes value of diversity as core principle and that all cultures should be treated equally and with respect, incorporates ethical standards
promotes divergence- what separates people

Question 6

Acculturation(5 bullet points)

Answer 6

adapting to a different culture
strategies
assimilation- abandonment of old culture
separation- maintaining old culture and avoiding new culture
integration- maintaining old culture but becoming active in new culture, most successful
marginalization- no ties to old or new culture, feel alone, least successful

Question 7

Uncertainty Reduction Theory(2 bullet points)

Answer 7

when 2 people meet they work to reduce uncertainty and increase predictability
culture shock(anxiety that comes from new cultural surroundings and rules) a result of uncertainty
improves communication effectiveness in unfamiliar culture

Question 8

Gender(2 bullet points)

Answer 8

masculine structure- stereotypical male behavior, competitive, ambitious, assertive, gender roles are rigid
feminine culture- stereotypical female behavior, cooperative, sensitive, gender roles overlap more, more equality