SOC 3 Final Study Guide
Higher Power Distance Culture
A society that views an unequal distribution of power as relatively acceptable. A higher degree of the Index indicates that hierarchy is clearly established and executed in society, without doubt or reason.
Lower Power Distance Culture
A society that views an unequal distribution of power as relatively unacceptable. A lower degree of the Index signifies that people question authority and attempt to distribute power.
Low Uncertainty Avoidance Culture
Cultures in which people are comfortable in unpredictable situations and have high tolerance for ambiguity. A lower degree in this index shows more acceptance of differing thoughts or ideas. Society tends to impose fewer regulations, ambiguity is more accustomed to, and the environment is more free-flowing.
individualistic culture
Cultures in which people define themselves as individuals and form looser ties with their groups. Ties often only relate an individual to his/her immediate family.
High Uncertainty Avoidance Culture
Cultures in which people prefer predictable situations and have low tolerance for ambiguity. Societies that score a high degree in this index opt for stiff codes of behavior, guidelines, laws, and generally rely on absolute truth, or the belief that one lone truth dictates everything and people know what it is.
Masculinity culture
Cultures in which people value assertiveness and competitiveness, as well as acquisition of money and other material objects. In more masculine societies, women are somewhat assertive and competitive, but notably less than men. In other words, they still recognize a gap between male and female values. This dimension is frequently viewed as taboo in highly masculine societies.
Femininity culture
Cultures in which people value maintaining good relationships, caring for the weak, and quality of life. In feminine societies, they share modest and caring views equally with men.
Collectivism culture
Cultures where people have stronger bonds to their groups and group membership forms a person's self-identity. Tightly-integrated relationships tie extended families and others into in-groups. These in-groups are laced with undoubted loyalty and support each other when a conflict arises with another in-group
What is masculinity vs. femininity?
In this dimension, masculinity is defined as "a preference in society for achievement, heroism, assertiveness and material rewards for success." Its counterpart represents "a preference for cooperation, modesty, caring for the weak and quality of life."
Who is Geert Hofstede?
Past research attempted to connect cultural dimensions with work ethic.
Which National Dimensions of culture did he give us (focus on just the four we did in class)?
Power Distance Index, individualism vs. collectivism, Uncertainty Avoidance Index, and masculinity vs. femininity
What is the Power Distance Index?
The power distance index is defined as "the extent to which the less powerful members of organizations and institutions (like the family) accept and expect that power is distributed unequally." In this dimension, inequality and power is perceived from the followers, or the lower strata.
What is the Uncertainty Avoidance Index?
The uncertainty avoidance index is defined as "a society's tolerance for ambiguity," in which people embrace or avert an event of something unexpected, unknown, or away from the status quo.
What is individualism vs. collectivism?
This index explores the "degree to which people in a society are integrated into groups."
