Describe one cultural dimension, making reference to one study.

Question 1

cultural dimension (1)

Answer 1

Cultural dimensions are the differences in values or beliefs between cultures. These are reflective of a society’s culture, showing what it is they view as the most important. One such cultural dimension is a culture’s tendency towards individualism vs collectivism.

Question 2

cultural dimension (2)

Answer 2

As the name suggests, collectivistic cultures are focused more on group success and interdependence within a community. There is less need for privacy and less importance is placed on individual freedom. This is in contrast to individualistic cultures which focus on personal success, freedom, independence, and privacy.

Question 3

cultural dimension (3)

Answer 3

The theory of cultural dimensions is that these cultural values impact behavior.

Question 4

Kulkoffsky et al (1)

Answer 4

One study showing the impact of cultural dimensions on memory was done by Kulkoffsky et al in their study of flashbulb memory. The researchers wanted to see if there was a difference between flashbulb memories in collectivistic and individualistic cultures.

Question 5

Kulkoffsky et al (2)

Answer 5

To carry out the study, Kulkoffsky gave a flashbulb memory questionnaire, based on the original questionnaire used by Brown & Kulik, to people from individualistic cultures like the US and collectivistic cultures like China. The participants were asked to recall a public event that took place in their lifetime - like 9-11 or the death of a famous person.

Question 6

Results

Answer 6

The researchers found that there were fewer examples of flashbulb memories in collectivistic cultures for such events. In collectivistic cultures, there is less importance given to personal experience and the display of personal emotional responses is frowned on. This means that they spend less time talking to others about their personal experiences and therefore do not carry out the rehearsal that is important for the development of such vivid memories.

Question 7

Conclusion

Answer 7

So, although the collectivistic cultures may have strong memories of the event itself, they do not have flashbulb memories in which they remember what they were doing, whom they were with, or how they personally found out about the event. This study supports the idea that our culture can impact our behavior and cognition.