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Building Blocks of Culture

#1 Individualism and Collectivism  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN4umOOqwM0&feature=emb_title

§ Individualism

– People identify primarily with self, not group.

– The needs of the individual are met before the group.

– Group membership is not essential to one’s identity, survival, success.

– Independence and self-reliance are greatly valued and is goal of parenting.

– People are judged by individual achievement and not the group they belong to. 

§ Collectivism

– Who you are is a function of the group (e.g. the family, the work team)

– The immediate family is the smallest unit of survival

– “The nail that sticks up must be hammered down.”

– Harmony and interdependence of group members are stressed and valued. 

Short Essay Question #1 – 

Are you more individualistic or collectivist in terms of how you view yourself and your responsibility to others? Give at least two examples. Worth 5 points 

Type your answer here: 

VIDEO #3 

#2 Monochronism vs. Polychronism https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLDE7pt9TY4&feature=emb_title

– Time is limited.

– Deadlines and schedules are sacred.

– Plans are not easily changed.

– People may be too busy to see you.

– Needs of people are subservient to demands of time.

– People expect undivided attention.

– Interruptions are to be avoided.

– To be late, to be kept waiting is rude.

– People stand in line!

– The goal is to stick to the schedule.

– Time is bent to meet needs of people

– There is always more time!

– Schedules and deadlines are easily changed.

– Plans are fluid.

– People always have time to see you.

– People may do several things at once and split time between several people/tasks.

– Interruptions are normal part of life. The goal is to enjoy life.

– People don’t stand in line!

– To be late or kept waiting is O.K.

Short Essay Question #2– 

Are you more monochronic or polychronic in terms of how you understand and manage time? 

Type your answer here: 

Worth 5 points; Your answer should be a minimum of 4 full sentences. You must give at least two examples to support your answer. 

VIDEO #4

#3 Direct vs. Indirect Talk  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plub5wrrT_A

Concept of giving Face 

– People “say what they mean and mean what they say.”

– There is no need to read behind the lines.

– It is best to “tell it like it is.”

– People are less likely to imply and say exactly what they are thinking.

– Yes means Yes! 

– People don’t always say what they mean.

– One must read between the lines.

– People are more likely to suggest or imply than to come out and say what they think.

– One cannot always tell it like it is.

– Yes may mean “maybe” or even “no” 

§ The importance of “face”

– To give  face to another person to preserve dignity and respectability of another

– To lose face to feel embarrassment or to have self-worth questioned

§ Face less Important

– Telling the truth is more important than sparing someone’s feelings.

– Honest is the best policy.

– It is o.k. to say no and to confront people.

– Getting/giving information is primary goal of the communication exchange.

– Preserving harmony and saving face are key concerns,

– Truth should be adjusted when it threatens someone’s face.

– One says what one thinks the other person wants to hear so as not to disappoint.

– It is not always proper to say no, disagree, or confront

– Preserving personal bond is goal of communication exchange. 

Short Essay Question #3 – 

Are you more direct or indirect in terms of how you communicate with others? Are you sensitive to the concept of face-giving and face-saving when communicating with someone who is older or of higher status? 

Type your answer here: Worth 5 points; Your answer should be a minimum of 4 full sentences. You must give at least two examples to support your answer. 

#4 Locus of Control 

§ Internal or External 

– The view of self and one’s place vis-à-vis the external world

– “Is life what happens to you?” (External)

– “Is life what you make of it?” (Internal) 

§ Locus of Control-Internal

– Life what you make of it.

– There are no limits to what one can do or become.

– Your success is your own achievement.

– You are responsible for what happens to you. 

– Life is what you DO (a more activist culture) 

§ Locus of Control-External

– Life is largely predetermined – control external to the individual.

– There are limits to what one can do or become.

– Your success is combination of effort and good luck.

– Life in large part is what happens to you.

– Fatalistic view = “It wasn’t meant to be.”

Short Essay Question #4 – 

Do you relate more to the Internal Locus of Control of External Locus of Control (who is in control of your life?) 

Type your answer here: 

Worth 5 points; Your answer should be a minimum of 4 full sentences. You must give at least two examples to support your answer. 

VIDEO #6

#5 Power Distance  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXQK7Iq8cz0

• How a society deals with inequality between people.
• The distinctions between people in their access to      power and their level of status 

§ High Power Distance

– Corporate structures are authoritarian; power is centralized.

– One defers to authority.

– Managers hold on to power.

– Subordinates do not take initiative but wait for explicit instructions.

– Rank has privileges.

– Manager/subordinate relations are formal.

– Decisions are made at the top.

– One does not openly disagree with/say no to the boss. 

• Low Power      Distance

– Democratic management style

– Managers share some power with subordinates.

– Subordinates do not like to be micromanaged.

– Decision making tends to be consultative.

– Rank has few privileges. 

– Manager/subordinate relations are fairly informal.

– It is o.k. to disagree with/say no to the boss. 

Cross Cultural Lessons

• Most people      behave rationally. What is rational in one culture may not be in another.
• One should      try to understand a behavior even if they don’t like it.
• Not all      behavior is tied to culture.
• Be      willing to ask for      clarification when YOU don’t understand. 
• Don’t assume sameness.
• Be willing      to listen and suspend judgment.

Short Essay Question #5– 

Are you more comfortable with a High Power Distance or Low Power Distance orientation when interacting with other people? 

Type your answer here: 

Worth 5 points; Your answer should be a minimum of 4 full sentences. You must give at least two examples to support your answer.