Honorio Gonzalez

EDU 533
Intercultural Competence
Chapter 4 Notes
Define Cultural Patterns
Cultural Patterns are shared beliefs, values, norms, and social practices that are stable
over time and that lead roughly to similar behaviors across similar situations (p. 78).
Cultural patterns are primarily inside the minds of people and provide the basic set of
standards that guide thought and action (p. 79). Furthermore, Cultural patterns are not so
much consciously taught as unconsciously experienced as a by-product of day-to-day
activities (p. 79). Therefore, we are always influenced by our culture in even the smallest
action that we take without us being aware of it.
List and describe the four components of cultural patterns
A belief is an idea that people assume to be true about the world, and therefore, beliefs
are a set of shared interpretations that form the basis for cultural members to decide what
is and what is not logical and correct (p. 79). Therefore, culturally shared beliefs are
difficult to discussed because people are usually not conscious of them and are so
fundamental to assumptions about what the world is like and how the world operates that
they are typically unnoticed (p. 80). Furthermore, cultures differ not only in beliefs but
also in what they value because values involve what a culture regards as good or bad,
right or wrong, fair or unfair, just or unjust, beautiful or ugly, clean or dirty, valuable or
worthless, appropriate or inappropriate, and kind and cruel (p. 81). From culture to
culture, values differ in valence and intensity; with valence referring to whether the value
is seen as positive negative while intensity indicates the value as significant (p. 81).
Therefore, what you value in one culture, might not be valued at all in another culture.
Norms are the socially shared expectations of appropriate behaviors, exist for a wide
variety of behaviors, and because they are evident through behaviors, norms can be
readily inferred (p. 81). Social practices are the predictable behavior patterns that
members of a culture typically follow (p. 82). One type of social practice informal and
includes everyday tasks such as eating, sleeping, dressing, working, playing, and talking
to others; while another type of social practice is more formal and prescriptive such as
rituals, ceremonies, and structures routines (p. 82). Therefore, both norms and social
influence how one might act differently in a host culture due to the difference in cultures.
List and briefly explain the five major elements in Kluckhohn and Strodtbecks view
of cultural patterns.
An activity orientation defines how the people of a culture view human actions and the
expression of self through activities (p. 85). To define their activity orientation, cultures
usually choose a point on the being-becoming-doing continuum (p. 85). Being is an
activity orientation that values inaction and an acceptance of the status quo while a
becoming orientation sees humans as evolving and changing (p. 85). Doing is the
dominant characteristic of European Americans, who rarely question the assumption that
it is important to get things done (p. 85). Furthermore, in every culture, the preferences
for particular orientations to activities shape the interpersonal communication patterns
that will occur (p. 87).
The social relation orientation describes how the people in a culture organize themselves
and relate to one another (p. 88). A social orientation can range from one that emphasizes

differences and social hierarchy to one that strives for equality and the absence of
hierarchy; one noticeable difference in social relations orientations is the degree of
importance culture places on formality (p. 88). Another important way in how social
relations can vary is how people define their social roles or their place in a culture and
how a cultures social orientation also affects the sense of social reciprocity-that is, the
underlying sense of obligation and responsibility between people (p. 88,90).
Self-orientation describes how peoples identities are formed, whether that culture views
the self as changeable, what motivates individual actions, and the kinds of people how are
valued and respected (p. 90). Additionally, the source of motivation for human behavior
is also part of a cultures self-orientation (p. 91). Another distinguishing feature of the
cultural definition of self is whether the members of the culture believe that people are
inherently bad, good, or some combination of the two (p. 92). Finally, an additional part
of self-orientation is the set of characteristics of those individuals who are valued and
cherished (p. 92).
World orientation are cultural patterns that tell people how to locate themselves in
relation to the spiritual world, nature, and other living things (p. 93). Furthermore, the
position that humans are separate and distinct from nature is also associated with belief in
disease, poverty, and adversity can be overcome to achieve health and wealth (p. 94).
Finally, the spiritual world and physical worlds can viewed as distinct or one (p. 94).
Time relations are the final aspect of cultural patterns that concern how people
conceptualize time (p. 94). Some cultures choose to describe the future as most
important, other emphasize the present, and still others emphasize the past (p. 95). A
cultures time orientation also suggest pace of life and a cultures underlying patterns
consist of orientations to activity, social relations, the self, the world, and time (p. 95).
Discover (and list) your own cultural patterns and analyze them in relationship to
the culture you have selected. Note areas of possible conflict.
Activity Orientation- Japanese culture is in the being orientation section. Like most
Asian cultures, Japan is one that values inaction and acceptance of the status quo. There
is also a belief that all events are predisposed by fate and therefore inevitable.
For me, I am in the doing orientation. I do an activity with either a goal and purpose in
mind. I work hard to improve myself for the better. I strive to do this everyday and to
continually improve on it. My interpersonal communications patterns are also influenced
by what people do around me and how they solve their problems.
Social relations orientation- In Japan, individuals identify with a few distinct groups, and
the ties bind the people so close to these groups that group membership may endure for a
lifetime. These groups could be families, friends, neighbors, work groups, and even social
organization.
For me, I grew up in a Hispanic environment, and can therefore I can relate a little to the
Japanese environment. For me, family is very important and in this way is similar to the
Japanese value on family.
Self-orientation- The Japanese place great value on family and strong affiliation with
their families. It also expects their members to act because is their duty to do so.
For me, in the Hispanic family a strong value is also place on family and duty. However,
is not to the point where they are force to do it because is their duty like in a Japanese
family.

World Orientation- Japanese culture views themselves as subject to nature and spiritual
world, and other livings things but also trying to live in harmony with it.
In Hispanic culture, a great value is placed on spirituality but views humans as being
subjugated to nature, with little power to control circumstances that influences their lives
in difference to the Japanese view on this matter.
Time orientation- In Japanese culture, the anniversary of the death of a loved one is
celebrated, showing the value it places on the past. It is also less hectic, more relaxed, and
less paced.
In Hispanic culture, the time orientation is more present-oriented and responds to
individuals and circumstances rather than following a plan for the day. It is also more
relaxed, less hectic, and less paced.
Applications
Knowing the cultural patterns of Japan is something I have learning on my journey to go
there. Knowing the beliefs would help me know the major holidays, since some of them
are spiritual in nature. Knowing the values will help me know how similar and different
they are to my own. Learning the norms will help to adapt faster and easier since I
already have that knowledge that will allow me to do so. Furthermore, knowing the social
practices will allow me to acclimate in an easier fashion than if I didnt have that
knowledge available to me.
Biblical Links
Be on you guard; stand firm the faith; be men of courage; be strong 1st Corinthians
16:13. This bible verse comes to mind because going to a foreign culture; especially
where Christinaity is the minority, my faith will be tested in many ways. I will also be
called to share my faith with those that dont know of it. For this, I will have to be strong
and guard my faith and stand firm with it. I will be a man of courage and continue to do
so every step of my journey while in Japan.