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Cultural Dimensions

Cultural dimensions are parameters used to compare and classify cultures based on their societal values. Key dimensions include Individualism vs Collectivism, Power-Distance Index, Masculinity vs Femininity, Uncertainty Avoidance Index, Long-Term vs Short-Term Orientation, and Indulgence vs Restraint. These dimensions help in understanding how different cultures perceive identity, power, gender roles, ambiguity, tradition, and expression of desires.

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Varsha Gudapati
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51 views9 pages

Cultural Dimensions

Cultural dimensions are parameters used to compare and classify cultures based on their societal values. Key dimensions include Individualism vs Collectivism, Power-Distance Index, Masculinity vs Femininity, Uncertainty Avoidance Index, Long-Term vs Short-Term Orientation, and Indulgence vs Restraint. These dimensions help in understanding how different cultures perceive identity, power, gender roles, ambiguity, tradition, and expression of desires.

Uploaded by

Varsha Gudapati
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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6

CULTURAL
DIMENSIONS
HOFSTEEDE
WHAT ARE CULTURAL
DIMENSIONS?
Parameters used to compare cultures. These dimensions
are very dynamic and cultures don’t fi t into these
parameters exactly. They are mostly used to classify
cultures and understand their societal values better.
Cross-cultural research compares the same behavior,
etc. across diff erent cultures:
 Etic research studies the culture from an outside
perspective.
 Emic research involves immersing yourself in the
culture to study it from within.
1. Individualism vs
Collectivism
Individual cultures value oneself, personal identity,
autonomy, uniqueness, competitiveness, achievement.
• Cultures are more free
Collective cultures value social identity, relationships,
cooperation, responsibilities.
• How you are connected to the values of your culture

Ex : India is a collective culture


2. Power-Distance Index
A culture’s toleration for inequality.
 Power is distributed unequally in society.
The extent to which inequality is tolerated by citizens
is measured by the Power-Distance Index.
 High Power-Distance Index= more tolerant
 Low Power-Distance Index= less tolerant

Ex : England has a high power-distance index


3. Masculinity vs Femininity
 Masculinity focuses on values like wealth, autonomy,
competitiveness and achievement.
 Femininity focuses on values like care, compassion,
cooperation and leans more towards quality of life and
relationships.
 The dominance of either of these determines whether a
culture is masculine or feminine.
 Russia and USA promote masculine values.
 India promotes feminine values.
4. Uncertainty Avoidance
Index
 Tolerance to ambiguity/ openness to change.
 Based on whether the culture promotes risk-taking or
not.
 Low Uncertainty Avoidance Index= Can tolerate
ambiguity/ uncertainty.
 High Uncertainty Avoidance Index= Cannot tolerate
ambiguity/ uncertainty.
5. Long-Term vs Short-Term
Orientation
Connection to the past & Attitude towards the future
A culture being more Short-Term Oriented is rooted in
tradition and values.
• Prioritizes and gives more importance to the past.
A culture that is more Long-Term Oriented focuses on
foresight and planning.
• Prioritizes and focuses on the future.
6. Indulgence vs
Restraint
 An indulgent culture expresses their desires without
limitations
Such cultures are more allowing to express an explore
Ex- USA

A restrictive culture imposes strict control and


restrictions over desires
Such cultures have high restraint and limit expression of
desires
THANK YOU

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