The psychology of culture | Fernando Lanzer | TEDxAUBG

TEDx Talks

19 Jun 201522:23

EducationalLearning

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TLDRThis insightful script explores the impact of cultural values on society, emphasizing the importance of understanding the unwritten norms that shape behavior and beliefs. It delves into the five cultural dilemmas identified by Hofstede, such as power distance and individualism, using real-world examples to illustrate their significance. The speaker advocates for embracing cultural differences to foster productivity, peace, and reduced violence, while also discussing the challenges and implications of cultural adaptation in management practices and societal issues like corruption and nepotism.

Takeaways

😀 Understanding cultural values helps in accepting people for who they are and reduces violence, fostering peace and productivity.
📚 Culture is defined by unwritten norms that guide behavior and determine what is considered right or wrong, appropriate or inappropriate.
🔍 Hofstede's research provides a framework for measuring culture based on five dilemmas: hierarchy vs. equality, individualism vs. collectivism, performance orientation vs. caring for others, uncertainty avoidance, and flexibility vs. discipline.
👑 High power distance societies, like Thailand, show clear distinctions in power and hierarchy, even among the most powerful individuals.
🤝 Low power distance cultures, such as Sweden and Denmark, demonstrate subtler hierarchies and more egalitarian values.
🌱 The acceptance of power structures, including dictators, is determined by those at the bottom of the social pyramid, learned from childhood.
🏠 Cultural values are deeply ingrained from an early age, influencing how societies approach dilemmas and interact with one another.
🏆 Performance-oriented cultures prioritize achievement and reward high achievers, while caring cultures focus more on the quality of life.
🤔 Uncertainty avoidance is a cultural trait where societies implement various mechanisms to reduce uncertainty, contrasting with cultures that embrace flexibility and adaptability.
🌐 The comparison of Bulgaria, the USA, and Holland illustrates significant differences in cultural values, affecting how individuals interact and work within these societies.
🔄 Recognizing and adapting to cultural differences is crucial for effective management and communication in a globalized world.
🛠 Changing cultural norms is challenging and requires re-education and a shift in how children are raised to reflect desired societal values.

Q & A

What is the main idea of the speaker in this transcript?
-The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding cultural values to improve interpersonal relationships, reduce violence, and increase productivity. They discuss the concept of culture as a set of unwritten norms and the five cultural dilemmas identified by Hofstede.
What are the five cultural dilemmas mentioned by the speaker?
-The five cultural dilemmas are hierarchy versus equality, individualism versus collectivism, performance orientation versus caring for others or quality of life, uncertainty avoidance, and flexibility versus discipline.
Why is it important to understand cultural norms according to the speaker?
-Understanding cultural norms is important because it helps in accepting people for who they are and what they stand for, which can lead to more productivity, less violence, and peaceful coexistence.
What does the speaker mean by 'standing in someone else's shoes'?
-The phrase 'standing in someone else's shoes' refers to the act of empathizing with others and understanding their perspectives, which is crucial for appreciating cultural differences.
How does the speaker illustrate the concept of high power distance in Thailand?
-The speaker illustrates high power distance in Thailand by showing a picture of the Prime Minister sitting on the floor in the presence of the king, emphasizing the importance of showing power differences even among the most powerful individuals.
What is the difference between high and low power distance cultures according to the examples given?
-In high power distance cultures, like Thailand, there is a clear and evident display of power differences among individuals. In contrast, in low power distance cultures, such as Sweden, the hierarchy and power distance are more subtle and less evident.
Why does the speaker mention the princess of Denmark in Thailand?
-The speaker mentions the princess of Denmark in Thailand to highlight how Thai culture treats royalty, even if they are foreign, with high respect and ceremony, which is a reflection of their high power distance cultural values.
What does the speaker suggest about the origins of cultural values?
-The speaker suggests that cultural values originate from the bottom of the social pyramid, determined by the people who accept or reject certain behaviors, and that these values are learned in childhood.
How does the speaker describe the difference between individualism and collectivism?
-In individualistic cultures, the individual is more important than the group, and independence and personal opinion are valued. In collectivist cultures, belonging to a group and maintaining harmony within the group are prioritized over individual expression.
What is the significance of the cultural dilemmas in the workplace according to the speaker?
-The cultural dilemmas significantly impact the workplace by influencing how people communicate, make decisions, give and receive feedback, and approach tasks and relationships.
Why is it difficult to change a culture according to the speaker?
-Changing a culture is difficult because it involves re-educating adults about the values they learned as children and changing the way children are educated, which is a complex and long-term process.
What advice does the speaker give for dealing with cultural differences?
-The speaker advises to understand one's own cultural bias, learn about other people's values, and judge them according to their values rather than one's own. Additionally, maintaining curiosity and interest in learning about other cultures is recommended.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 Understanding Cultural Values for Better Coexistence

The speaker introduces the concept of culture as a set of unwritten norms that dictate right and wrong, shaping behavior. Emphasizing the importance of recognizing cultural values for improved understanding and acceptance of people, the speaker suggests this leads to increased productivity and peace. The video references Professor Hofsteder's work, which categorizes cultural dimensions into five dilemmas: hierarchy vs. equality, individualism vs. collectivism, performance orientation vs. caring for others, uncertainty avoidance, and flexibility vs. discipline. These dilemmas are used to measure and compare cultures statistically, with examples given from Thailand, Sweden, and Denmark to illustrate power distance and hierarchy.

05:05

👣 The Development of Cultural Perceptions from Childhood

This paragraph delves into how cultural values are instilled from a young age, using the speaker's personal experiences in Brazil and the Netherlands to highlight differences in power structures and child-rearing practices. It contrasts hierarchical societies where children are taught to respect adult authority with more egalitarian cultures that encourage children's participation. The speaker also discusses the impact of these early lessons on societal attitudes towards individualism and collectivism, and how these cultural dilemmas shape the way people approach life and work.

10:07

🌐 Comparative Cultural Analysis: Dilemmas and Their Impact

The speaker provides an in-depth analysis of the five cultural dilemmas, using Bulgaria, the USA, and the Netherlands as case studies. Bulgaria is described as having high power distance, collectivism, and uncertainty avoidance, while the USA is portrayed as more egalitarian, individualistic, and performance-oriented with lower uncertainty avoidance. The Netherlands shares similarities with the USA in hierarchy and individualism but differs in performance orientation and uncertainty avoidance. The paragraph explores how these cultural traits manifest in real-life scenarios, such as job applications and workplace dynamics, and the importance of adapting management practices to fit cultural contexts.

15:11

🏛 Cultural Implications in the Workplace and Beyond

This section examines the practical implications of cultural differences in the workplace, contrasting 'contest' cultures like the USA with 'pyramid' cultures like Bulgaria. It discusses the importance of understanding cultural nuances when applying for jobs, making decisions, and providing feedback. The speaker emphasizes that there is no superior culture, but rather a need for cultural adaptation and sensitivity when applying management principles across different societies.

20:15

🔍 Addressing Cultural Challenges and the Importance of Curiosity

The final paragraph addresses the complexities of changing cultural norms, such as reducing corruption and nepotism, by understanding and adapting to cultural values. The speaker stresses the difficulty of cultural change, which requires re-educating adults and altering childhood education. They encourage personal reflection on one's own cultural biases and maintaining an open curiosity about other cultures as a means to foster understanding and acceptance.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Culture

Culture, in the context of this video, refers to the set of unwritten norms that influence people's behavior and provide a framework for what is considered right or wrong, appropriate or inappropriate. It is central to the video's theme, as understanding cultural values is presented as a key to better acceptance and understanding of others. The script uses examples from Thailand, Sweden, and Denmark to illustrate differences in cultural norms, such as the hierarchical culture of Thailand where the Prime Minister sits on the floor in the presence of the King.

💡Hofstede's Dimensions

Hofstede's Dimensions are a framework developed by Professor Geert Hofsteder to categorize and measure cultural differences based on statistical data and reactions to various situations. The video mentions five dimensions: Power Distance, Individualism vs. Collectivism, Performance Orientation vs. Quality of Life, Uncertainty Avoidance, and Flexibility vs. Discipline. These dimensions are integral to the video's exploration of cultural values and their impact on societal structures and individual behavior.

💡Power Distance

Power Distance is a concept from Hofstede's Dimensions that describes the extent to which less powerful members of organizations and institutions accept that power is distributed unequally. The video illustrates this with the example of Thailand, where there is a significant power distance, as evidenced by the Prime Minister's deference to the King, and contrasts it with Sweden, where power distance is lower, as shown by the Prime Minister using an ATM like everyone else.

💡Individualism vs. Collectivism

Individualism versus Collectivism is a cultural dimension that contrasts societies where the individual is more important than the group (Individualism) with those where the group is more important and individuals are expected to be loyal to the group (Collectivism). The video explains this concept by describing how children in Brazil learn about hierarchy and power, in contrast to children in the Netherlands who learn about equality and inclusion.

💡Performance Orientation

Performance Orientation is a cultural dimension that emphasizes the importance of achieving and performing in a society. The video explains that in performance-oriented cultures, people are rewarded for their achievements, which is linked to the concept of pay for performance. It contrasts this with 'caring cultures' where quality of life is more important and work is seen as a means to enjoy life, rather than the purpose of life itself.

💡Uncertainty Avoidance

Uncertainty Avoidance refers to the extent to which a culture prefers to avoid uncertainty by relying on rules, planning, and structure. The video suggests that societies with high uncertainty avoidance may use mechanisms like planning, organizing, and religion to mitigate uncertainty, while societies with lower uncertainty avoidance may adopt a more laid-back approach, exemplified by the saying 'let's worry about crossing the river when we get to the river'.

💡Flexibility vs. Discipline

Flexibility versus Discipline is a cultural dimension that highlights the importance of adaptability and change (Flexibility) versus the importance of order and strict adherence to rules (Discipline). The video explains that societies scoring high on flexibility may have many exceptions to rules, while those scoring low may apply the law uniformly without exceptions, as discipline is highly valued.

💡Egalitarian

Egalitarian refers to a society that values equality and equal rights for all individuals. The video uses the term to describe cultures with low power distance, such as Sweden, where the Prime Minister is seen standing in line at an ATM like everyone else, indicating a more equal distribution of power and status.

💡Hierarchy

Hierarchy, in the context of this video, denotes a social system or organization where power or status is concentrated at the top and decreases as one moves down the levels. The video discusses hierarchy in relation to high power distance cultures, such as Thailand, where the King holds a significant amount of power and authority over others in the society.

💡Cultural Adaptation

Cultural Adaptation is the process of adjusting management practices or behaviors to fit the values and norms of different cultures. The video emphasizes the importance of cultural adaptation when applying management principles from one culture to another, to avoid clashes and ineffective practices. It is particularly relevant when discussing the global application of management books predominantly published in the US, UK, and Canada.

💡Feedback

Feedback, in the video, is presented as a concept that is deeply rooted in American culture, where it is common to express opinions and feelings openly. However, the video notes that feedback can be problematic in cultures with high power distance and collectivism, where it may be perceived as personal criticism and could lead to negative consequences.

Highlights

Understanding cultural values can lead to better acceptance and productivity, reducing violence and fostering peace.

Culture encompasses unwritten norms that dictate what is considered right or wrong and appropriate behavior.

Hofstede's tools for measuring culture based on statistics and reactions to different situations are still valid today.

All communities face five dilemmas: hierarchy vs. equality, individualism vs. collectivism, performance orientation vs. caring, uncertainty avoidance, and flexibility vs. discipline.

High power distance societies, like Thailand, emphasize the importance of showing power differences among societal ranks.

Low power distance cultures, such as Sweden, have subtle hierarchies and less evident power distances.

The treatment of royalty in Thailand reflects the country's hierarchical culture, even towards foreign dignitaries.

Societies' hierarchical or egalitarian nature is determined by the acceptance of power structures by those at the bottom of the social pyramid.

Childhood is the critical period when individuals learn cultural norms and values, shaping their community's approach to dilemmas.

In Brazil, a hierarchical society, children learn early on about the power dynamics between adults and children.

In contrast, Dutch children grow up learning that people have more or less equal power, as seen in interactions with adults.

Individualism emphasizes personal independence and expressing one's opinion, while collectivism prioritizes group loyalty and harmony.

Performance-oriented cultures reward achievement and status, whereas caring cultures prioritize quality of life and work-life balance.

Uncertainty avoidance is characterized by planning and organizing to minimize uncertainty, contrasting with cultures that embrace flexibility.

Bulgaria, the USA, and Holland differ significantly in their cultural dimensions, affecting work practices and societal values.

American 'contest culture' values assertive candidates with outstanding CVs, unlike 'pyramid cultures' that prioritize relationship-building.

There is no 'best' culture; all cultures have their own values and practices that should be respected and adapted to when necessary.

Management principles often taught globally are rooted in Western values and may require adaptation for effective application in other cultures.

Direct communication is common in 'contest cultures,' while 'pyramid cultures' use indirect communication to avoid confrontation.

Meetings in different cultures serve different purposes, from decision-making platforms to relationship-building opportunities.

Feedback practices vary by culture; it is a valued concept in 'contest cultures' but can be seen as criticism in 'pyramid cultures'.

Addressing issues like corruption and nepotism requires understanding the underlying cultural values and making targeted changes.

Changing a culture is challenging and involves re-educating adults and altering children's education to instill new values.

Individuals can mitigate cultural bias by understanding their own values and learning about others to judge people by their cultural context.

Maintaining curiosity and interest in learning about different cultures is essential for personal growth and global understanding.

Transcripts

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Related Tags

Cultural Values Behavioral Norms Societal Productivity Cultural Dilemmas Power Distance Individualism Collectivism Performance Quality of Life Uncertainty Avoidance Cultural Adaptation