EXPLORING

C U LT U R A L D I A L E C T I C S
Group 4
AMORES, KENT
C A B A L L E R O, I C E E K AY E
CAULIN, MA. ELLEN DHEA
E S TO L O G A , A I S H LY M A R I E
G A R C I A , A LT H E A B A B E
SABINULA, HADZHRIMA
 FOUR (4)
VARIABLES
1. INDIVIDUALISM VERSUS COLLECTIVISM
• Our first cultural value dimension is important in individualistic cultures, that “we”
individualism versus collectivism. Individualism is the dominant force in collectivistic ones.
stresses individual goals and the rights of the While in collectivistic cultures the individual is
individual person. Collectivism focuses on expected to fit into the group, in individualistic
group goals, what is best for the collective cultures emphasis is placed on developing a
group, and personal relationships. sense of self.
• The generalized geographic clusters of
individualism may be found in Anglo countries,
Germanic Europe, and Nordic Europe.
Geographic clusters for collectivism are often
located in Arab countries, Latin America,
Confucian Asia, Southern Asia, and Sub-
Saharan Africa.
• This means that, while the “I” may be most
 FOUR (4)
VARIABLES
2. HIGH-CONTEXT VERSUS LOW-CONTEXT COMMUNICATION
• It is a tradition-bound communication system
which depends on indirectness while low-
context communication is a system that
encourages directness in communication.
context cultures tend to gather background
information when meeting someone for the
first time

• Cultures with high-context communication

system are tradition-bound; their cultural
traditions shape the behaviour and lifestyle of
group members, causing them to appear to be
overly polite and indirect in relating to others.
In contrast, cultures with low-context
communication systems generally encourage
members to exhibit a more direct
communication style. Members of low-
 FOUR (4)
VARIABLES
3. HIGH-POWER DISTANCE VERSUS LOW-POWER DISTANCE
• Power distance measures the extent to which such as Israel, Sweden, and the United States,
individuals are willing to accept power believe that power should be used only when
differences. High power distance cultures are it is legitimate; thus, they are apt to employ
based on power differences in which expert or legitimate power.
subordinates defer to superiors while low-
power distance cultures believe that power
should be used only when legitimate.
• Individuals from high-power distance cultures,
such as Saudi Arabia, India, and Malaysia, view
power as a fact of life and are apt to tress its
coercive or referent nature. Superiors and
subordinates in these countries are likely to
view each other differently; subordinates are
quick to defer to superior. In contrast,
individuals from low power distance cultures,
 FOUR (4)
VARIABLES
4. MASCULINE VERSUS FEMININE CULTURE
• Cultures differ in their attitudes toward conflicts, seeking win-win solutions.
gender roles. Masculine cultures value
aggressiveness, strength, and material symbols
of success. Feminine cultures are cultures that
value tenderness and relationships. Among
highly masculine cultures are Japan, Italy,
Germany, Mexico, and Great Britain. Among
highly feminine cultures are Sweden, Norway,
the Netherlands, Thailand, and Chile.
• Masculine cultures socialize members to be
dominant and competitive. They tend to
confront conflicts head-on and are likely to
use a win-lose conflicts strategy. In contrast,
the members of feminine cultures are more
apt to compromise and negotiate to resolve