Cultural Typologies Flashcards
Define culture
Set of learned attitudes, vales, goals, behaviors, and material things that characterizes a group of people
High-context cultures (Hall)
Homogenous cultures, importance of nonverbal communication and word choice, silence is useful, face, conflict is destructive
Low-context cultures (Hall)
Heterogenous cultures, verbal communication on, word choice less important, silence is suspicious, direct and open communication, disagrement and protest okay, conflict is positive
Monochrome cultures (Hall)
Time is linear, time has “slots” wihtout 1 activity per slot, material things - can be bought, spent, wasted, lost, don’t like change of plants, punctuality valued
Polychrome cultures (Hall)
Time is fluid; overlapping activities; flexibility; punctuality not required
How does Hall categorize Russia?
High-context and polychrome culture; non-verbal communication, silence is wisdom, don’t refuse, little information available - should hunt for clues
How does Hall categorize the US?
Low-context and monochronic; verbal communication important, encourage speaking up, silence is bad because it means shy, suspicious thoughts, it’s okay to say no, overabundance of information
Masculine/feminine cultures
Masculine: Fixed gender roles; encouraged to be assertive and strive for authority/status/material wealth
Feminie: Flexible gender roles; nurture/support/caring valued
Uncertainly avoidance
High: Unfamiliar situations are threatening and stressful, desire for predictability and rules, discomfort with unknown, familiar evil is better than an unfamiliar evil
Low uncertainty avoidance: Unfamiliar situations are good, exhilarating, challenging, rules established only when necessary
Power distance
How people perceive hierarchies
High power distance: Hierarchies are inherent and natural; higher-ups feared and worshipped, etiquette, bureaucracy, respect, space from higher ups, exclusive clubs
Low power distance: Hierarchies created for convenience; higher and lower status equal, want equality
Long-term orientation
Long-term orientation: Want to establish an absolute Truth; ideal standard or model (normative) thinking; respect traditions; save for future; perseverance
Short-term orientation: truth depends on context, adapt traditions to changed conditions; don’t save for future; want quick results
Paternalistic cultures
Paternalistic: Govt/state acts and protects like family
Non-paternalistic: family protects; govt should not interfere
Indulgence
High indulgence: Free frat if I cation of basic human drives; okay to enjoy life and have fun
High restraint: Suppress gratification of needs; strict social norms
How do Russia and the US compare with regards to power distance?
Russia is high (93), US is medium-low (40)
How do Russia and the US compare with regards to individualism?
Russia is low (39), US is high (91)
How to Russia and the US compare with regards to masculinity?
Russia is a more feminine culture (39), while the US is more masculine (62)
How do Russia and the US compare with regards to uncertainty avoidance?
Russia is high 995), while the US is medium-low (46)
How do Russia and the US compare with regards to long-term orientation?
The US very low, which shows short-term orientation (29), while there were no official results for Russia, it is believed Russia is medium or long-term orientation
What are the value orientations and who developed them?
Time, Humanity and Natural Environment, Relating to Others, Activity Orientation; developed by Kluckhohn and Strodtbeck
Time Orientation
Past-oriented: Preserve and maintain traditional teachings and beliefs
Present-oriented: Flexible, change beliefs and traditions
Future-oriented: Plan ahead, seek new ways to replace old, innovation
Humanity and Natural Environment
Mastery: Total control by humans over forces of nature and supernatural
Harmonious: Live in balance with natural forces; partial but not total control
Submissive: Subject to higher power of natural forces
Relating to Others
Hierarchial: Defer to higher authority
Collateral: Emphasis on consensus within extended group of equals
Individualistic: Emphasis on individual or individual families within group who make decisions separately from others
Activity Orientation:
Being: Internal motivation, values our own activity but not necessarily others’ activities
Being-in-becoming: Motivated by wanting to develop and grow abilities that are seen as valuable by group but not necessarily by other groups
Doing: Motivation external; activity valued both by ourselves and approved by others in group
How do the US and Russia compare with regards to Human Nature?
Russia and US: basically good
