SCLA Flashcards
Outline the principle of SCLA
- Human Behaviour is influenced by socio and cultural factors
- People have an individual self as well as a social self
- Humans are social beings and require the need to belong
- We are resistant to change
Triandis (2002)
Objective and Subjective Cultures
Objective: dress styles, food, houses (visible characteristics)
Subjective: beliefs, norms, values, moral codes, social etiquette
Cultural Norms: the behaviour patterns of a certain group. These norms are established and transmitted through generations.
Cultural norms can be ingrained in individuals that they may not be aware until seen in a different context
Culture is Dyanmic
Culture is always changing in response to the environment and social change (long period)
ex- McDonalds taking over, Domestic relationships
- Culture exists at different levels
- Every group of people has their own shared beliefs, attitudes, values and behaviours
CULTURE IS NOT RACE NOR NATIONALITY
though both can influence our culture ;) bam
People’s World Views are resistant to change
Our world view is stongly influenced by our culture
- We have a hard time breaking from these as they have a strong influence on how we behave (Schemas!!)
- Each person has their own reality and each is very much valid
Shared Reality**
Each group of people creates this- come to an agreement about the things that are important to them
Wei et al (2001)
To investigate the extent to which the cultural dimensions influence conflict resolution
- 600 managers working in companies in Singapore (multinational VS local)
- 4 groups: Japanese, Chinese, Singaporeans and Americans
- Questionnaires and Correlational Studies
The higher score on individualistic dimension the more likely the dominant conflict resolution style.
Managers who had lived in Singapore for quite some time adopted a more Asian conflict resolution style (mostly avoidant resolution style)
Evaluation: Representative (600 people)
Relied on self reports (reliability of the data) buy still pretty reliable.
Bond and Smith (1996)**
Meta Analysis (using statistical data to combine studies and obtain data)
Delayed Gratification
Resisting the temptation for an immediate reward and wait for a perhaps a psychologically bigger reward
Time Orientation- Confucian Dynamism (2001)
- Reflect the Asian perspective on culture
- Added on by Michael Bond (Hofstede and Bond 1988)
- “The extent to which humans experience time is due to their culture” - Hall (1959)
Long Term (asian cultures- east asia)
- future oriented
- delayed gratification (leisure time? meh)
- persistence
- savers (thrifty)
- face savers (dignity, ego, pride)
- tradition followers
Short Term (mexico lol)
- present oriented
- impatient
- quick result seekers
- spenders
- face losers
Geert Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions**
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Time Orientation
Losing and Saving of the Face
Combinations of social standing, reputation, dignity and honour.
In asian countries, saving “building face” raises the self worth
“losing face” lowers their self worth to their peers
not losing your cool
Time Orientation in Bicultural Participants**
Chen et al (2005)
Wang et al
Ayoun and Moreo (2009)
Applications of the Cultural Dimensions Model
We tend to minimize other cultural differences that lead us to Misunderstandings and Misinterpretations
Practical Applications:
- gives a general overview/approximate understanding of other cultures like what to expect from them and how to behave towards them
- used in the field of business- promoting cultural sensitivity helps workers work more efficiently when interacting with people from other cultures
Limitations:
- low validity. Internal: methodology has flaws (only used surveys). External: cannot generalize the findings
- perhaps culturally biased
Critical Analysis:
- Hofstede acknowledges that these are only theoretical constructions
- Generalisation can be helpful but should be regarded as ‘guidelines’ for better understanding behaviour in different countries
Conclusion:
- Cultural Dimensions enable users to distinguish different cultural traits but not the differences between members of societies
- Do not necessarily define individual personalities
Social Identity Theory (SIT)
Tajfel and Turner (1982)**
Henri Tajfel conducted important research on inter-group relationships
- How our sense of self-personal-identity is influenced by the groups we identify with.
- Groups define a person, help us construct our identity and loyalty towards the group. This may lead to judging and discrimination
- Helps explain why PREJUDICE can occur
- Social Categorisation
- Social Identity
- Social Comparisons
- Positive Distinctiveness
Tajfel et al (1971)
in-group VS out-group
To find out what the minimal conditions would lead members of one group to discriminate in favour of the in-group in which they belonged and against the out-group
-The mere act of individuals categorising themselves as group members was sufficient to lead them to display in-group favouritism
