cultural origins of behavior

Question 1

definition of culture

Answer 1

culture is complex and difficult to define. Alfred Kroeber and Clyde Kluckholn (1957) compiled a list of 164 definitions of “culture”
one of the definitions is:
culture is a 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.

Question 2

what are cultural norms?

Answer 2

are the unique set of attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors specific to a particular culture.

Question 3

what are cultural dimensions?

Answer 3

cultures vary in several ways. Each culture is unique, so to compare them on a large scale is not an easy task. one needs to identify universal phenomena that are present in every individual culture. these phenomena will then become criteria for comparison.
Geert Hofstede (1973) first developed the theory that cultural dimensions (=general factor underlying cross-cultural differences in values and behavior) shape the behavior of whole cultures.

Question 4

4 cultural dimensions:

Answer 4

1. individualism vs collectivism
2. power distance
3. masculinity vs femininity
4. uncertainty avoidance
5. long term vs short term orientation
6. indulgence vs restraint