exam questions

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Intercultural Communication

Topic 4. Cultural Value Systems Dr. Oksana Shkurska Dalhousie University

Cultural Value Systems

S  Language and Culture Follow-up.

S  Perception and its characteristics

S  Hofstede’s value dimensions

S  Canadian values

S  Students’ presentation

S  Activities

“The limits of my language are the limits of my world” (Wittgenstein, 2001). How do you understand this statement? Do you agree that we know what we know because we have words for it in the language we speak? If you agree, what limits do you think it places on our thinking? If you disagree, how do you think we can have knowledge without appropriate words?

Perception

S  The way we understand and “construct” (Samovar, Porter & McDaniel, 2013) reality.

S  “Perceptions are shaped by a kind of lens, the interpretive structure of our human brains” (Hawking & Mlodinov, 2010, p. 46)

What is reality?

S  “Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.” (Albert Einstein).

S  “There is no reality except the one contained within us.” (Hermann Hesse, a German novelist).

Perception

S  Our perception of the world determines our values, attitudes, and behaviors

S  Perception is partially influenced by our culture

=> People from the same culture are expected to have the same values, norms, and behavioral patterns

Perceptions and Conflicts

different perceptions

ê

different expectations (we expect others to live their lives in the same way)

ê

attempts to impose one’s own perception on others

ê

misunderstanding

ê

conflict

Values

S  Values are shared ideas about what is true, right, and beautiful (Samovar, Porter & McDaniel, 2013)

S  Values are formed on the basis of beliefs

S  Evil vs. good Dangerous vs. safe Abnormal vs. normal Dirty vs. clean Moral vs. immoral

S  Our cognitive structure consists of many values (a hierarchy: primary and secondary values)

Hofstede’s Value Dimensions

S  Individualism/collectivism

S  Uncertainty avoidance

S  Power distance

S  Masculinity/femininity

S  Long term/short-term orientation

S  Indulgence vs. restraint

Individualism vs. Collectivism individualism collectivism

•  Focus on the individual •  Independence is stressed •  Individual achievement is rewarded •  The uniqueness of each individual

is of great value •  Characterized by short-term

relationships •  People are direct in what they are

saying E.g. United States, Australia, Great Britain, Canada, Netherlands

•  Emphasis on the views and goals of the group rather than of an individual

•  Interdependence is stressed; thinking for oneself is discouraged

•  Group achievements are highly valued

•  Great readiness to cooperate with in-group members is important

•  Long-term relationships based on trust are of great importance

•  People are inclined to say what others want to hear; no contradiction to others in public

E.g. Colombia, Indonesia, Pakistan, South Korea, Japan, China

Uncertainty Avoidance

High uncertainty avoidance Low uncertainty avoidance

•  High levels of anxiety and stress

•  A belief that life carries the potential for dangers

•  To avoid dangers, there should be laws, written rules, regulations, rituals, ceremonies, etc.

•  Social expectations are “clearly established and consistent”

E.g. Greece, Portugal, Belgium, Japan

•  Uncertainty in life is easily accepted

•  Are not threatened by the unusual, different ideas and people

•  A belief that there should be as few rules as possible => flexibility and intolerance of hierarchy

•  Initiatives are highly valued; risks are easily taken

E.g. Singapore, Denmark, Sweden, the USA, Canada

Power Distance

High power distance societies Low power distance societies

•  Individuals accept power as part of society

•  Belief that “power and authority are facts of life”

•  People are taught that they are not equal, and everybody has their own place

•  Greater “centralization of power” •  More recognition of rank and

status E.g. Malaysia, the Philippines, Mexico, Arab Countries, Indonesia

•  Inequality in society should be minimized

•  Special laws, norms, and behaviors should “make power distinctions as minimal as possible”

•  Superiors and subordinates are considered equal

•  People in power do everything possible to look less powerful than they are

E.g. Australia, Israel, New Zealand, Scandinavian Countries

Masculinity vs. Femininity Male-oriented societies Female-oriented societies

•  Emotional gender roles are clearly distinct

•  Men are supposed to be assertive, tough, and focused on material success; career success is promoted

•  Women are supposed to be more modest, tender, and concerned with the quality of life

•  Inequality of genders •  Material values are more important

than interpersonal relationships •  People are motivated by wanting

to be the best E.g. Japan, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Mexico

•  Emotional gender roles overlap

•  Men need not be assertive, and they can assume nurturing roles

•  Both men and women are

supposed to be modest, tender, and concerned with the quality of life

•  Genders are relatively equal •  People and the environment are

important •  People are motivated by liking

what they are doing E.g. Scandinavian Countries, Netherlands, Costa Rica, Yugoslavia, Finland

Long vs. Short-term orientation

Long-term oriented societies Short-term oriented societies

•  Orientation towards future rewards

•  Organizational loyalty and self- discipline

•  Leisure time is not important •  In business, the focus is on

obtaining market share

E.g. China, South Korea

•  Orientation towards short-term goals

•  Short-time organizational

loyalty •  Personal freedom and leisure

time are important •  In business, the focus is on

short-term profits

E.g. Mexico, the USA, Egypt

Indulgence vs. Restraint

Indulgence Societies Restraint Societies

•  willingness to realize impulses and desires

•  enjoying life and having fun •  positive attitude (optimism) •  high value of leisure time •  spending money easily Examples?

•  control of the desires •  perception of being under

control of social norms •  a tendency to cynicism and

pessimism •  not much emphasis on leisure

time •  indulgence is considered to be

something wrong and unacceptable

Examples?

Indulgence vs. Restraint

Indulgence Societies Restraint Societies

•  willingness to realize impulses and desires

•  enjoying life and having fun •  positive attitude (optimism) •  high value of leisure time •  spending money easily E.g. Venezuela, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Sweden, Australia, Canada, Chile

•  control of the desires •  perception of being under

control of social norms •  a tendency to cynicism and

pessimism •  not much emphasis on leisure

time •  indulgence is considered to be

something wrong and unacceptable

E.g. Pakistan, Egypt, Ukraine, Iraq, Russia, China, India

Canadian Values

S  “Peace, order, and good government” (British North America Act, 1867)

S  “Individual freedoms within the context of collective good”

S  Respect for authority è respect for rules

S  Respect for cultural diversity Suderman, J. (2008). Understanding Intercultural Communication. Toronto: Nelson Education, p. 104-105.

Activities

Find examples from advertising campaigns in your home country that illustrate your cultural values. Share your findings in small groups. (For example, the advertising slogan, “Just do it,” from an athletic-shoe manufacturer, ref lects the American values of perseverance and accomplishment).

Bibliography

S  Adler, N. J. & Gunderson A. International Dimensions of Organizational Behavior, 5th ed. (Mason, OH: Thomson South-Western, 2008), 73.

S  Hawking, S. & Mlodinow, L. The Grand Design (New York: Bantam Books, 2010), 46.

S  Rogers, E. M., Steinfatt T.M. (1999). Intercultural communication. Prospect Heights, III: Waveland Press, Inc.

S  Samovar L.A, Porter, R.E. & McDaniel, E.R. (2013). Communication between cultures (8-th ed.). Wadsworth: Cengage Learning.

S  Strategy. Culture. Change. The Hofstede’s Centre. (n.d.). Retrived from: http://geert-hofstede.com/canada.html