Cultural dimensions

Cultural dimensions

Can we talk about cultural differences?

So far, we have talked about culture, its surface and deep elements as well as the stereotypes that we often use to describe cultures.

Stereotypes can be dangerous as they often don't reflect the real 'picture' of a culture. Then, how can we talk about differences between cultures without falling back to discussing stereotypes?

We can use scientific theories and classifications to help us more objectively compare cultures.

And we should always remember that all people are unique and, though they share some common cultural values, these values and people's behavior might still differ among the members of society!

In 1970s, Hofstede analyzed survey data (问卷数据） from over 50 countries around the world. His survey was completed by people working in big companies

Hofstede's cultural dimensions

At first, he discovered 4 cultural dimensions (文化维度） and then added 2 more

In our lesson, we will talk about 4 dimensions:
1. Individualism vs collectivism
2. Power distance
3. Uncertainty avoidance
4. Femininity vs masculinity

Watch the video about Individualism / Collectivism from 3:52 to 5:12 and be ready for a quiz!

【Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions】 【精准空降到 03:52】 https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1mj411H7Tk/?share_source=copy_web&t=232

Multiple Select

inCollectivistic cultures

集体主义文化

• Think belonging to a group is very important

  认为群体归属感非常重要

• think one's own wishes and goals are less important than the group's goals

  认为自己的愿望和目标不如集体的目标重要

• first think about their needs and goals and then consider group's interests

  首先考虑自己的需求和目标，然后考虑群体的利益

• a group conflict should be prevented and 'harmony' need to be maintained

  需要防止群体冲突，维护 群体"和谐"

Multiple Choice

In individualistic cultures, people are less loyal to a group, that's why, for example, it's common and even expected for people to change jobs.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

Speaking one's mind is a good thing in

• individualistic cultures

  个体主义文化

• collectivistic cultures

  集体之一文化

Read about Power distance and
be ready for a quiz on the next slide!

Power distance is about how people feel about power differences in society. It asks if people like power to be shared equally or if it's okay for some to have more power than others.

In cultures with high power distance, people are fine with some having more power than others. They believe that not everyone is equal and each person has their own place in the society. These cultures have strong social ranks and accept that not everyone is treated the same. Here, a few people have most of the power.

In cultures with low power distance, they try to make sure no one has too much power over others. They see roles of power as just for organizing things. Everyone treats each other as equals, no matter their job. Leaders try to seem more like everyone else and not show off their power.

In cultures with high power distance, teachers lead the class. They decide what to learn and students don't question them. The teacher's knowledge is very respected. In cultures with low power distance, learning is about finding truths together, not just listening to one person.

Multiple Choice

"Power distance" is about

权力距离指

• whether people in the society are okay with some people having more power than others

  社会是否允许某些人比其他人拥有更多权力

• whether people have the right to disagree with the government and ask it to change some policies

  人民是否有权反对政府并要求政府改变某些政策

Multiple Choice

High power distance means

• people accept inequality and think everyone in the society have their own place (lower or higher in the hierachy)

  人们接受不平等，认为社会中的每个人都有自己的位置（低层或高层）

• there aren't too many differences between bosses and common workers, people are treated as equals

  老板和普通工人之间没有太多差别，人们被平等对待

Multiple Select

What are the characteristics of low power distance culture?
低权力距离文化有哪些特征？

• older people are respected and listened to

• Bosses can ask an advice from their subordinates

• • children's opinions and wishes are respected by parents, children are taught to think themselves and not just do what parents say

• • there are big differences in the salaries

Watch the video about Masculinity / Femininity from 5:40 to 9:10 and be ready for a quiz!

​【Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions】 【精准空降到 05:40】 https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1mj411H7Tk/?share_source=copy_web&t=340

Multiple Choice

Masculinity / femininity is about differences between women and men in the society

• Yes

• No

Multiple Select

Choose the features of "feminine" societies

选择 "阴柔主义 "社会的特征

• Balance between work and life

• quality of life is more important than a lot of money or success at work

• people are very competitive

• caring for others and having a good quality of life are what matter the most

Multiple Choice

In what culture, people will choose their future job based on their personal interest and won't think too much if they can earn a lot of money or not.

在哪一种文化中，人们会根据自己的兴趣选择未来的工作，而不会过多考虑是否能赚大钱。

• masculine culture

  阳刚主义文化

• feminine culture

  阴柔主义文化

Read about Uncertainty avoidance and
be ready for a quiz on the next slide!

Uncertainty avoidance describes the attitude to the uncertain situation in the future. It is about how nervous people get when they face uncertain or unknown situations.

In cultures with high uncertainty avoidance, people don't like surprises or unclear situations. They use strict rules and rituals to make life more predictable. They can feel more stressed because they see life as full of risks. To feel safer, they like everything to be planned and regulated.

In cultures with low uncertainty avoidance, people are more okay with not knowing everything. They accept differences and are open to new ideas. They prefer fewer rules, take more risks, and rely on themselves more. They feel less need to follow strict social rules.

When it comes to learning, children from low uncertainty avoidance cultures enjoy exploring and finding new ways to solve problems. They understand that there are many different truths and mistakes are a part of learning. However, in cultures with high uncertainty avoidance, students prefer clear instructions and look for the right answers.

Multiple Choice

Low uncertainty avoidance means

低不确定性逃避倾向指

• Individuals are more open to change, risk-taking, and unkown situations.

  个人更乐于接受变化、冒险和未知情况。

• Individuals are uncomfortable with uncertain situations

  个人对不确定的情况感到不自在

• Individuals prefer strict rules and structure

  个人喜欢严格的规则和结构

• Individuals are resistant to change and risk-taking

  个人抗拒变革和冒险

Multiple Choice

Teachers might say "I don't know" in

• the high uncertainty avoidance cultures

  高不确定性逃避倾向文化

• the low uncertainty avoidance cultures

  低不确定性逃避倾向文化

Multiple Choice

People are worried when the tasks don't have clear instructions or there are no rules.

如果任务没有明确的指示或没有规则，人们就会担心。

• High uncertainty avoidance

• Low uncertainty avoidance

Open Ended

What about China? Do you think it is
- individualistic or collectivistic culture

• - with high or low power distance

• - masculine or feminine

• - with high or low uncertainty avoidance?