Text E Hofstede's Dimensions of cultural VariabilityHofstede's Dimensions of cultural Variability
Hofstede's dimensions of cultural variablity
1. individualism and collectivism (textbook p. 230-232)
characteristics of individualistic cultures: (1) people's personal goals take priority over groups like the family or the employer; (2) the loyalty of individualists to a given group is very week; (3) people feel they belong to many groups and are apt to change their group membership as it suits them e.g. switching churches, leaving one employer for another.
characteristics of collectivistic cultures: (1) rigid social framework that distinguishes between in-groups and out-groups; (2) people count on their in-group to look after them, and in exchange for that they believe they owe absolute loyalty to the group.
2. uncertainty avoidance (textbook p. 233-234)
characteristics of high-uncertainty-avoidance cultures: (1) have a lower tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity; (2) have high levels of anxiety, greater need for formal rules and absolute truth, and less tolerance for people or groups with different ideas or behaviors; (3) tend to display emotions
characteristics of low-uncertainty-avoidance cultures: (1) have lower stress levels and accept different ideas;(2) tend to take risks
3. power distance (textbook p. 234-235)
Power distance is the extent to which the less powerful members of institutions and organizations accept that power is distributed unequally.
characteristics of high-power-distance cultures: accept power as part of society
characteristics of low-power-distance cultures: power should be used only when it is legitimate
4. masculinity and femininity (textbook p. 236-238)
differ masculinity and femininity: how gender roles are distributed in cultures
characteristics of masculine cultures: (1) both men and women are relatively tough; (2) social gender roles are clearly distinct (3) men are supposed to be assertive, tough, and focused on material success whereas women are supposed to be more modest, tender and concerned with the quality of life
characteristics of feminine cultures: (1) both men and women are supposed to be modest, tender, and concerned with the equality of life; (2) social gender roles overlap