week 7 describing cultural differences -2 mngt 583 – Özge can
TRANSCRIPT
WEEK 7
DESCRIBING CULTURAL DIFFERENCES -2
MNGT 583 – Özge Can
Perceptions
The selective mental processes that enable us to interpret and understand our surroundings
It is selective. We selectively attend to stimuli that are important to us or that help us make decisions.
Culture may subtly sensitize us to the info and behavior that are important for effective interaction.
Perceptions
People selectively used culturally relevant traits to form their impressions. Ex: individual vs. group dimension Ex: importance of status Ex: abstract (universal) vs. situation-
specific principles
Perceptions operate “automatically”. We rarely question the source of our views and opinions => cultural filters
Nonverbal Behavior
Across cultures, people look for and see different things, even when observing the same behavior.
Nonverbal behavior: subtle cues used to communicate within and across cultures Ex: facial expressions, appearence, body
movements, personal space
The Effect of Context
Context: backgroun information – other than what is said or written- that helps one understand and perceive others.
Some cultures are less/more reliant on context in their perceptions and interactions: Low-context cultures: Interpretation of people
and behavior importantly depends on what is actually said or written. (Ex. U.S., Australia)
High-context cultures: The context itself often provides info that can be used otherwise ambigous events.(Ex. China, Japan)
Perception of Time
Time has been studies because of its objective nature. Wide differences in perceptions of this most
objective of things Different descriptions
In Western cultures, it is perceived as a commodity (“time is money”, “you are losing/saving time”, time is running out”)
In Eastern cultures, it is seen more flexible and fluid.
Perception of Time
Questions: How much late is “late”? How being late is evaluated?
Several interesting studies to examine time perception (the pace of time): Lunch appointment Accuracy of bank clocks Walking speed Postal clerk service
Perception of Time
Perception of Time
Monochronic time versus Polychronic time The distinction refers to paying attention to
one thing at a time vs. Preferring to do mnay things at once
Interpretation of Perceptions
Attribution theory: A model of how we come to perceive others’ behavior as internally or externally caused.
Self-serving attribution bias The tendency to take credit (internal attribution)
for success but to blame failure on other causes (external attribution)
Self-effacing behavior The tendency among some cultures to be modest
in taking credit for success but accepting responsibility for failure
Attitudes
An attitude is a learned tendency to react in a certain way toward some object or person
We have attitudes about nearly everything Most important ones:
Attitudes toward the self Attitudes about work Attitudes toward others/groups
Attitudes toward the Self
Independent self: the view of oneself as a autonomous or unique individual who values self-reliance and achievement
Interdependent self: the view of oneself as closely linked toward others and groups that value paternalism and group cohesion
Attitudes toward the Self
Abstract vs. concrete self-descriptions Westerners have more independent views of
the self and their self-description is more abstract and devoid of specifics or qualifiers
“I am extroverted”, “I am sensitive”
Non-westerners have more interdependent view of self thus they describe themselves in ways specific and imbedded in the social situations
“I am happy when I work with my friend”
Attitudes about Work
Important work attitudes: Job satisfaction Organizational commitment
Different bases and foci of employee commitment
Protestant work ethic (PWE)
Mixed results Be careful about the measurements and
samples used
Attitudes about Others/ Groups Parochialism
The state of mind, whereby one focuses on small sections of an issue rather than considering its wider context. More generally, it consists in being narrow in scope
Ethnocentrism Judging all other groups according to the
standards, behaviors, and customs of one’s own group
Stereotyping The tendency to infer traits to individuals based on
their national or cultural gorup membership
Attitudes about Others/ Groups In-group vs. Out-group distinction
We have a tendency to rate our in-group higher than an out-group.
Mirror imaging: A stereotypical pattern whereby groups perceive positive traits in themselves and negative ones in other groups
We also have a tedency to see in-group members as more varied and complex (heterogeneous) and out-group members as less varied and more homogenous.
Exercies on Cultural Difference: Click on the links to take the tests:
Hofstede’s Model of Culture International Cultural Diversity
*These tests are NOT an assignment. This is an exercise for you to test your knowledge.