Brianna Grant, V00412716

INTL 101-091

INTL 101 - Chapter 5 - Assignment

CHAPTER 5 - Cultural Patterns and Communication:

Taxonomies
Goal of this activity: Hofstedes seven cultural dimensions: 1) individualism-collectivism;
2) uncertainty avoidance; 3) power distance; 4) masculinity-femininity; 5) time orientation; 6)
indulgence versus restraint; and 7) monumentalism versus self-effacement.

Please answer these questions and provide descriptive personal examples.

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.
In the United States, our culture believes in independency and taking care of ourselves.
Individuals are the source of inspiration and motivation, therefore we generally base our
decisions on what we, as individuals, want. Because of our freedom rights, we can say, do,
write, etc. what we would like to a certain extent. I personally depend on myself to get things
do and move forward in my life because if I do not do the work, who will for me? It is a self-
motivation process. In order to be collective I must be an individual first.

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.
I feel that my culture is mixed between a high uncertainty avoidance and low uncertainty
avoidance; leaning more towards a low tolerance for uncertainty. We have high characteristics
such as worrying about the future, and low characteristics such as willing to take risks. We do
have set rules made by the government, schools, family, etc. that keep us grounded and
convinced of whats right and wrong.

3) How is the power distance dimension (i.e., status difference or social hierarchy)
displayed in your culture? Include personal examples in your answer.
In the United States, we believe that authorities should not be challenged and what says goes.
Those with social status can use their power as they please. For example, look at the president.
There is a sense of social hierarchy because we have the government, upper class, middle class,
and lower class. The president has the ultimate power to decide what is right for our countries, so
we as citizens are automatically put in the position to obey what goes and respect his choice. It is
not a perfect world and we do have rallies, protests, etc. against many of the decisions that are
made in our country, in the end, the government still decides what will be done because they
have the power to do so. If power was distributed equally there would still be strife.
4) How is the masculinity-femininity dimension (i.e., status difference or social hierarchy)
displayed in your culture? Include personal examples in your answer.
The United States seems more masculine then feminine. My culture believes in success and
accomplishments. According to the text, members of masculine cultures believe that men should
be assertive and women should be nurturing. This fact has been true for decades. Men are seen as
the provider for the house while women are the caretakers.

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.
Time orientation refers to life and work. I believe that my culture has more of a short-term
outlook. We expect quick results constantly, and tend to not have patience to wait, thus
categorizing ourselves in the short term time orientation. For example, our constant technological
advances persuade our need for a shorter and quicker demand. With the internet and cell phones
we can instantly search what we want or call who we need by a push of a button. Our society has
changed drastically from once using books as a resource for information and meeting with
someone for face-to-face communication instead of using Google and texting.

6) How is the indulgence versus restraint dimension (i.e., hedonism versus self-discipline)
displayed in your culture? Include personal examples in your answer.
My culture is more indulgent than restrained. We encourage pleasure, enjoyment, spending,
and consumption. Our lives revolve around wants more than needs. We are a pleasure-seeking
society and like to live high paced lives to accommodate.

7) How is the monumentalism versus self-effacement dimension (i.e., stability or change)

displayed in your culture? Include personal examples in your answer.
My culture is higher on self-effacement. We are generally flexible and easily adapt to
situations. Most of our lifestyles are relaxed compared to other cultures. We are open to change.
One example is having the first black president of the United States. It took years for the day to
happen but it finally did. This was a big example of change, hope, and growth.