Cultural and WorldView Values
Individualism/Collectivism (Hofstede) Gender Role Definition/Masculinity/Femininity (Hofstede) Power Distance Respect of Authority(Hofstede) Uncertainty Avoidance (Hofstede) Long-term short-term orientation (Hofstede)
Indulgence vs. Restraint (Hofstede) Human Nature Agency Cognition/Knowledge Time Orientation
Moral Source Sexuality
Purpose in Life |
My Culture
The United States is considered extremely Individualistic. Self reliance is expected in the work place as well as in the home. My view would also be classified as Individualistic. I generally take care of myself and do not wait for others or expect the help of others. The United States as a country is very high in Masculinity. This is evident in the the attitude of “being the best” at work, in school and in the competition of life itself. I would consider myself more Feminine, with a touch of masculinity. I am much more in line with taking care of others and caring for the feelings of others, however I enjoy healthy competition. The United States scores low on the PDI.”We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” These words from the Declaration of Independence of the United States are case and point as to why America scores so low. If we believe this document then we believe that all should be treated as equal and that inequality should not exist. The truth of the matter is there remains inequality. In my personal view, I believe I would score more in the middle. I do believe that we should all be treated as equal, however I do have great respect for authority and the role. We are all human beings so as a human the respect for another should be the same however when in a courtroom my respect for the judge will be different than if I were to meet him or her in line at the grocery store. The United States score in this area in neither high nor low, at 46. Freedom of expression is encouraged as well as discouraged. Innovation in the workplace is encouraged and at the same time there is a sense of nervousness at what someone might do or say. I believer I am in the same space of wanting spontaneity yet craving systems and rules. I would not say that I am completely comfortable with taking risks, yet at times I will leap and have faith I will land on my feet. The fact that TV commercials for sales and holiday shopping have been airing since October is a great example of why the United States is noted as having Short term orientation. The country it self bases it’s economic health on how much money is spent. The search for absolute truth is another attribute to a society with short term orientation.
I believe my view has is a product of my environment. Working smarter rather than harder is my idea and would rather find a quick fix rather than spend a lot of time on something. Saving though I know it is something I need to do, has never been a strong suit and spending is my reality. The United States is a highly Indulgent country. The focus of being happy and having fun and freely expressing is one that is in grained in all aspects of society. “Girls Just wanna have fun”, “Work hard, play hard”. My view is again in line with the county. I enjoying having new and nice things and enjoy my free time. Going on vacation annually is a must. It is my belief that as humans we are born in the image and likeness of God and therefore are born good, however original sin is within each of us. Therefore as human we can do good or evil. Our experiences and our environment play a major role in how we choose to act. Based on Wrightsman’s Philosophies of Human Nature as written in Koltko-Rivera’s work, my worldview would be different based on the situation and the people in which I mean. While I may find some cultures or people within a culture to be trustworthy and altruistic I may encounter people that I find us untrustworthy or selfish. My belief is to give people the benefit of the doubt until they show me differently. Volition there are behaviors in which people can determine their behavior. Choosing to try drugs is done of free will, however becoming addicted to drugs is not done by free will but is a consequence of the behavior or abusing the drug. Divinity, Science, Authority, Tradition, Senses Present
Transcendent source Pleasure, Relationship, Procreation
I believe the purpose of life give glory to God in all that I do and to be a representation of Him in the world. To be and do what God has created me to do. In this I must seek God’s face and move in His direction. |
Host Country
China is an extremely collectivist country. This can be seen in the educational system as children are put into groups to work collaboratively. A value in the Chinese culture is also to strive to do well for your family and your country. China’s drive for success is what scores them high in Masculinity. Sacrificing leisure and family time to secure success. Long work and school hours, children being enrolled in not just the normal school day however also enrolled in extra activities all with the goal of being the best and doing the best for their family and their country. In China, rank and class are extremely important and therefore this country has a high power distance. This is based on the Confucius principle of Li or the Five Relationships, each role has a place and regard for that role is given a great deal of respect. A child understands that his father is to be held in high regard at all times, just a wife to her husband. The poor know and accept that they are in a lower class than the rich as a servant is lower than his master. China is not a country that is uncomfortable with ambiguity and thus has a low uncertainty avoidance. Adherence to laws and rules may be flexible to suit the actual situation, as in the One-child policy, the reinforcement of this policy was not very strict in all situations or areas of the country. Risk taking and innovation are highly encouraged. China ranks the highest, most Long-term oriented of the 93 countries that have been researched. With it’s long standing traditions and belief that perseverance is more important then innate or right now abilities. China has moved up in it’s economic health not by spending quickly, but by saving and proving to other countries that theirs was the country in which they should invest.
China is a highly Restrained country. Fun and leisure time is usually sacrificed for hard work and attainment of success. The Chinese culture is based on Confucianism and the original philosopher Confucian believed that human nature was partially good and evil. Later the philosopher Mencius argued that human nature was in fact good. Even later a third Confucius philosopher Xunzi argued that “human nature is inherently evil”. Most agree with the Mencius argument that human nature is good. In my research it was difficult to find any information regarding human agency in China. “One would be truly hard-pressed to find any such thing as “individualism” in early China, at least as that term is usually defined (“a social theory advocating the liberty, rights, or independent action of the individual”).” This quote comes from a review of the book, Individualism in Early China: Human Agency and the Self in Thought and Politics. By Erica Fox Brindley. Tradition, Science, Authority Future There has been a shift in how sexuality is seen in China over the last 20 years. Sexuality is not as taboo as it had been in the past. Sexuality is seen as relational, pleasurable and for procreation.
To reach one’s highest potential as based on Confucianism |
References
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html
http://www.patheos.com/Library/Confucianism/Beliefs/Human-Nature-and-the-Purpose-of-Existence
http://sex.ncu.edu.tw/members/Ho/speech/SexualityInChineseCulture.pdf
Koltko-Rivera. Mark. (2004). "Psychology of Worldview". New York: Educational Publishing Foundation. Retrieved from http://www.academia.edu/3089027/The_Psychology_of_Worldviews
The Hofstede Center. Retrieved from http://geert-hofstede.com/china.html
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html
http://www.patheos.com/Library/Confucianism/Beliefs/Human-Nature-and-the-Purpose-of-Existence
http://sex.ncu.edu.tw/members/Ho/speech/SexualityInChineseCulture.pdf
Koltko-Rivera. Mark. (2004). "Psychology of Worldview". New York: Educational Publishing Foundation. Retrieved from http://www.academia.edu/3089027/The_Psychology_of_Worldviews
The Hofstede Center. Retrieved from http://geert-hofstede.com/china.html
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