Theories of macro cultural differences Week 16 Comparative Sociology
Jan 02, 2016
Theories of macro cultural differences
Week 16
Comparative Sociology
Last week
• Different forms of capitalism– Anglo-American– Germanic
• Briefly considered how these could be linked to culture
• This week consider macro cultural differences, rather than micro work of cultural studies
Outline
• What is culture?
• Hofstede’s studies
• Inglehart’s theory
of values
• Cultural change?
Cultural Differences?
Awkward conversations may be one sign of cultural differences in small talk
What
conversations
can you have
with strangers?
What is culture?
• Symbolic and learned aspects of human societies (‘mental programming’)– Language– Custom– Convention
• Set of belief systems- often taken-for-granted
• Not fixed, it changes over time
Layer’s of culture
• National level
• Regional/ethnic/religious/linguistic level
• Gender
• Generational
• Social Class
• Organizational/corporate level
Internalisation of the ‘rules’
• How to interact with people?
• Why in Europe does opera have a higher status than soaps?
• Is it acceptable to belch at the dinner table?
Cultural expectations in the classroom
• Discuss with the people sitting next to you cultural norms during lectures.
Hofstede’s studies
• Studies of organisational culture
• National cultural differences between
– Power distance– Collectivism vs individualism– Femininity vs masculinity– Uncertainty avoidance
Power distance
• The extent to which inequality is accepted by those at the bottom– Large power differences
– Children expected to respect/obey elders
– Hierarchical Workplaces- lots of supervisory levels
– Subordinates should be told what to do
– Powerful have rightful privileges
– High countries: Malaysia, Mexico, Arab states– Low countries : Austria, Israel, Denmark,
Costa Rica, UK
Collectivism vs individualism
• Collectivism– from birth people integrated into strong
cohesive groups• Guatemala, Pakistan, Costa Rica
• Individualism • Ties between people are loose, individuals look
after themselves and immediate family • USA, UK, New Zealand
Key elements
• Collectivist
– Extended family
– Identity based in social
– Harmony to be maintained
– Shame (on group)
• Individualist
– Care of self/immediate family
– Identity based in individual
– Honest people speak their minds
– Guilt (individual)
Masculinity/Femininity
• Masculine societies• Dominant values are material success and
progress• Men/Women distinct roles and emotions• Stress on competition between peers • Winning through conflict
• Masculine countries: Japan, Italy, UK, USA
• Feminine countries: Sweden, Costa Rica Thailand
Uncertainty avoidance
• Weak– Uncertainty is normal – Aggression/emotions
should be hidden– Comfortable with
ambiguous situations and unfamiliar risks
– Lenient rules for children on taboos
– Motivation by achievement
• UK, Singapore, Jamaica
• Strong– Uncertainty is a threat– Aggression/emotions can
be vented– Fear of ambiguous
situations and unfamiliar risks
– Tight rules for children on taboos
– Motivation by security
• Greece, Uruguay, Japan
The UK
• According to Hofstede:• Low power distance• Individualism• Masculine country• Weak uncertainty avoidance
• Discuss with your neighbours if you think
this is right
Inglehart’s theory of values
• Culture legitimates social order
• Culture integrates societies
• Values change as societies change– Modernization– Postmodernization
• Predicable shift in culture
Inglehart Insecurity Security
• Politics– Need for strong leaders– Order– Xenophobia
• Economics– Economic growth– Achievement/motivation
• Sexuality/Family norm – 2 parent heterosexual
family
• Politics– De-emphasis on political
authority– Self-expression– Exotic/new are stimulating
• Economics– Quality of life– Subjective well-being
• Sexuality/Family norm– Individual sexual
gratification– Self-expression
Move to postmodern values
• Countries vary as to where they sit between these two positions
• But– Rich and secure countries more likely to have
postmodern values– Within societies wealthy/elites more likely to have
postmodern values– Fluctuations can be caused by war/ economic
downturn/ civil disorder etc– Socialisation means that values are likely to be
generational (younger more postmodern)
Critiques of Inglehart
• Over-simplification of complex issues• Unlikely to be a direct relationship between
economic development (modern to postmodern) and cultural shifts
• Values are related to the context within which they become relevant
• ‘Equality’ was upheld in Ancient Greece but did not include many (women, slaves etc)
Inglehart’s theory
• Discuss with the people sitting next to you how far you think changes in values are predicable in the way that Inglehart has argued
Summary
• There is agreement that national cultures are different
• But what those differences are and how they relate to other factors in each society is debated
• Hofstede - 4 major divides
• Inglehart – Values changing over time
Next week
• Continue our look at cultures by looking at these concepts in particular:
– Cultural imperialism– New world order– Clash of cultures