Class materials for October 09, 2013 - Comparing and contrasting American and Polish values

Here's a link to some notes on today's topic.

Here's a link to comparisonsbetween the US and Poland in terms of values.

Here's the pyramid of Geert Hofstede whose model of culture is and will/be referenced heavily.

Remember,

Personality = specific to an individual and is both inherited and acquired

Culture = specific to a group or category of people and is acquired

Human nature = universal to all people and is inherited

Here is a chart explaining manifestations of culture.

Remember, the further outside it is, the more quickly a manifestation changes. Also Symbols, Heroes and Rituals are grouped together as Practices and are visible to an outsider. Values cannot be observed, they can only be inferred.

Here are some symbols of American culture, like 

The flag and apple pie

 The Great Seal of the United States

 The constitution

Here are some heroes, like Pat Tillman (heroic soldier),

Rosa Parks (civil rights pioneer),

Archie Bunker (loveable anti-hero),

And here are some rituals,

Crowning the homecoming queen

Speaking out at a townhall meeting

Saying the Pledge of Allegiance

Values were unavailable for viewing...

Dimensions of culture are collective responses to problems of human existence that all societies must solve.

Dimensions of culture, primaries

Here are some pictures to give you an idea of what the different dimensions are about:

1. Power Distance

Would you prefer to work in a company with a large power distance

Or small power difference (nb different people might be in the higher position at different times)

2. Individuality

Which looks more like your family?

These people?

Or these people?

3. Masculinity

Do you and your partner dress like this? (feminine culture)

Or like this? (masculine culture)

4. Uncertainty avoidance

When faced with something new, do you act like this guy? (high uncertainty avoidance)

Or like this guy? (low uncertainty avoidance)

5. Long term orientation

Are you more interested in this? (short term orientation)

Or this? (long term orientation)

6. Indulgence

Is this your idea of enough to eat? (restraint)

Or is this your idea of a small snack? (indulgence)