Dimensions of culture Flashcards
What is a cultural theory?
A framework, a structure that results from observing/analyzing/studying
social behavior, structures, institutions
What do macro analytic cultural theories offer?
- Focus on the “big picture” not on the individual level
- Analysis of large-scale, systemic patterns of a culture
- Examination of societal shifts due to globalization or technological
change, …
Edward Hall´s theory
- high context vs low context
- high territoriality vs low territoriality
- monochromic time vs polychromic time
High context vs. low context cultures
High context cultures:
* many unwritten rules and contextual elements, much is taken for granted,
less verbal communication needed, probability of misunderstanding for an “outsider” is high
* clear social structure, loyality and hierarchy
* stable, “old” cultures – e.g. Spain, France, …
Low context cultures:
* very few unwritten rules, explanation is needed,
direct communication, less misunderstanding
e.g. US-american culture – mobile environments, intercultural society (urban
spaces) with different cultural backgrounds
Monochromic time vs polychromic time
Monochronic time culture:
- doing one thing at a time, planning, scheduling, concentrate on one thing,
“time management”, “iron hand of time” - high context cultures, structure of society: hierarchical, tendence to authoritarian
Polychronic time cultures:
* everything needs its own time, human interaction is more valued than time ore materal things, improvisation
* low context cultures, structure of society: more egalitarian, relationship first
High territoriality vs low territoriality
High territoriality
- ownership, need of own space, big spaces (homes, cars, …)
- conflicts about boundaries (high territorial nation culture)
- tendence to low context culture
Low territoriality
- Less ownership, no need of own space, reduced spaces
- Less or no conflicts about boundaries (low territorial nation culture)
- tendence to high context culture -> if rules and unwritten contents are
clear, less security is needed and so less space is needed?
Proxemics
Space: personal body space, home space, public space
Public: walking around, keeping distance to people we dont know, safety
Social zone: in a group or a room, getting connected, but comfortable distance
Personal: e.g. two people talking to each other, affection
Intimate: if not respected feeling that the other is “invading” our own space
Some criticism to Hall:
- Stereotypes and generalization, clichés
- Intercultural communication but not multicultural
- Lack in methodology (empirical surveys)
Organizational Cultures Theory:
– Geert Hofstede
> Culture is always a collective phenomenon, within each collective there is a variety of individuals.
-> Culture distinguishes (outside) and connects (interior)
-> Organizational cultures: the way people perceive what goes on in their organizational environment
-> The researcher is part of the research: subjectivity of (social) science
6 dimensions
- Power Distance
- Uncertainty Avoidance
- Individualism versus Collectivism
- Masculinity versus Femininity
- Long Term versus Short Term Orientation
- Indulgence versus Restraint
- Power distance
Related to the different solutions to the basic problem of human inequality.
Small power distance cultures.
- Society treats children as equals
- Student-centered education
- Hierarchy: inequality of roles
- Subordinated expect to be consulted
- Pluralist governments
- Corruption is rare, scandals end political carrees
- Income distribution rather even
Large power distance cultures:
- Society teaches children obedience
- Teacher centered education
Hierarchy: inequality by existence
- Subordinated expect to be told what to do
- Autocratic governments
- Corruption is high, scandals are covered
- Income distribution very uneven
- Uncertainty Avoidance
- Related to the level of stress in a society in the face of an unknown future
- Society’s tolerance for ambiguity
- Uncertainty avoiding cultures try to minimize the possibility of uncertain/unstructured situations by strict behavioral codes, laws and rules,
disapproval of deviant opinions, and a belief in absolute Truth
Weak uncertainty avoidance
- Tolerance of deviant persons and ideas: what is different is curious
- Comfortable with ambiguity and chaos
- Higher scores on subjective wellbeing
- Dislike of rules - written or unwritten
- Citizens feel and are seen as
competent towards authorities - In religion, philosophy and science: relativism and empiricism
Strong uncertainty avoidance
- No tolerance of deviant persons and ideas: what is different is dangerous
- Need for clarity and structure
- Lower scores on subjective wellbeing
- Emotional need for rules, even if not obeyed
- Citizens feel and are seen as incompetent
towards authorities - In religion, philosophy and science: belief in ultimate truths and grand theories
Individualism versus Collectivism
- societal, not individual characteristic
- Which/how many people in a society are integrated into groups?
- Hofstede: fundamental dimension, regarding all societies in the world
- wealth tends to lead to individualism