Chapter 5 describes in some detail the six dimensions of Hofstede’s cultural tax

Question

Chapter 5 describes in some detail the six dimensions of Hofstede’s cultural taxonomy. In an essay, reflect on the SLOVAKIAN culture, which you will cite, and answer the following questions:

1) How is the individualism-collectivism dimension (i.e., the degree to which a culture depends on the self or the group) displayed in your culture? Include personal examples in your answer.

2) How is the uncertainty avoidance dimension (i.e., the degree to which ambiguity and uncertainty are avoided) displayed in your culture? Include personal examples in your answer.

3) How is the power distance dimension (i.e., status difference, or social hierarchy) displayed in your culture? Include personal examples in your answer.

4) How is the masculinity-femininity dimension (i.e., status difference, or social hierarchy) displayed in your culture? Include personal examples in your answer.

5) How is the time orientation dimension (i.e., long-term versus short-term outlook) displayed in your culture? Include personal examples in your answer.

6) How is the indulgence versus restraint dimension (i.e., hedonism versus self-discipline) displayed in your culture? Include personal examples in your answer.

Explanation / Answer

1.

The theory of Gerry Hofstede’s cultural dimensions gives a framework to understand the impact of culture on the values of the members of the society and the relationship between these values and behavior. Based on factor analysis of the significant aspects of culture, Hofstede found that cultures vary in terms of opposing dimensions such as individualism- collectivism, uncertainty avoidance dimension, normative ideas about masculinity- femininity, hedonistic self- indulgence vs. restraint and power distance dimensions.

The individualistic- collectivist dimension tends to describe a culture axed on the extent to which the members of the culture are either encouraged to pursue their goals in a competitive, independent manner and develop greater self reliance and competence or pursue the goals in cooperation with other members of society, give priority of group goals over their own personal motives and develop greater cooperation and dependence on others.

If I was to plot my own culture along this dimension, then it appears that I belong to a highly individualistic society where relationships are more contractual and revolve around the fundamentals of exchange of profit and loss. Interactions within my own peer group takes in term social of the discourse of the amount of emotionally investment made by one side and decisions about termination and continuation of relationships are also determined by such an understanding of risks and benefits incurred. Within my own family, my parents have always emphasised on encouraging their children to develop a strong sens elf slender identity based on our own ability and skill set instead of based on factors such as our ancestral background, our ethnic or religious affiliation. This familial trait is found to be in consonance with the fundamental principles of individualistic cultures like that of Anglo communities of North America which Concentrate as well as one’s own goals, interests, and needs. Even within schools, our academic performance is made to reflect the assumption of an individualistic mainstream US society where grades are based on a comparison between high scorers and low scorers. Categories such as ‘average’, ‘above average’, ‘below average’ are valued and the stress isn’t on horizontal relationships such as that between peers, companions in love relationships, rather than vertical relationships such as that between parents and children. As part of an individualistic culture, my parents too believe in the values of self-sufficiency and there is a common notion and even a social expectation that children in our neighbourhood will move out after completing their education to live separately and gain financial independence form their filial homes.

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