My Knowledge on Culture - Essay Example

My Knowledge on Culture What is Culture? In this age of globalization, people from different cultures come together with their own cultural backgrounds and work with others towards certain goals. This multicultural setting becomes an interesting mix of people much like a rainbow of colors that may either be viewed positively as such, or an explosion of conflicting perspectives when differences between people are emphasized instead of their commonalities. Hofstede1 described culture as a common programming of a certain group of people that distinguishes them from other groups. This includes a shared value system, practices, traditions, preferences for food, music, arts, etc., and even some common personality traits. These shared traits, values and practices have been passed on from one generation to the next. These have all been developed from influences from their history, ancestors, environment and even geographical location. Thus, it can also be said that culture is an unconscious learning of a certain group’s inherent practices, and behaviors, and it forms the group’s identity that sets them apart from other cultures. In the context of one’s culture, one develops a worldview, value system, attitudes and beliefs common to the cultural group he comes from.2 Hofstede3 offers that culture is manifested in several key areas through symbols which carry particular meanings for culture members. Heroes are a culture’s role models. Rituals are technically superfluous but socially necessary for a culture. Values are feeling-reflecting preferences for certain states of affairs over others. Practices are a culmination of the preceding four areas. Each culture has identified heroes, rituals, values and practices that represent who they are as a people. Heroes are people who have shown extraordinary virtues or skills that people want to emulate. People appreciate the heroes more when their culture is highlighted when the hero is given public recognition. Rituals are customs and traditions distinct to the cultural group. These are practiced in specific times such as special occasions. For example certain cultures perform certain rituals during religious holidays to honor their faith. Values are deeper concepts preferred by a cultural group such as the provision of utmost hospitality to guests or ascribing deep respect for elders. Practices are actions that sum up the cultural make-up of a group of people. For Muslims, for example, getting down on their knees to pray five times a day is a custom that reflects the people’s religious heroes, rituals, values and practices. The Oxford English Dictionary defines ethnocentrism as "regarding ones own race or ethnic group as of supreme importance"4. Although this is basically good because it promotes cultural identity, it may also breed arrogance and racism when it becomes amplified when the ethnocentric group is among other cultural groups. It then becomes a barrier in intercultural communication. Gannon & Pillai explain Hall’s four dimensions of communication which determine if a society is high- or low-context.5 These are context, space, time and information flow. Context is the amount of information that is needed to be explicitly shared with the members of the society. Space is the personal space tolerated by the members of the society while communicating. Time is whether the society is monochromatic, which means that they complete just one task at a certain time or polychromic or the nature of a society is such that they are able to multi-task at any given time. Finally, information flow is the structure and speed at which messages are exchanged within the group. The combination of these dimensions may follow certain patterns for some societies. From these, I realize that my country, Saudi Arabia, is a high-context country because my people are so in tuned to each other that it is easy for us to communicate even if there is less verbal language. Personally, as a man from Saudi Arabia, I represent a culture from the Middle East that is foreign to my peers from western cultures. My country is known to be a rich one due to its oil-rich natural resources. It is also known to be very traditional, in terms of values, manner of dressing and values ascribed to women. At the same time, we are struggling to be at par with the progress of the rest of the world. Gannon & Pillai state that “like many nations, Saudi Arabia is confronting the tension between traditional and modern beliefs, values and lifestyles.” 6 Islam rules our lives and we derive much guidance from our religion. My people has suffered negative stereotypes especially after the historical bombings in the US on September 11, 2001 where Muslim fanatics, of whom 15 were natives of Saudi Arabia were identified as the perpetrators. After that unfortunate incident caused by a clash in ideologies between America and the Islamic countries involved, relations between the US and our country were marred, and our people were viewed with malice and suspicion wherever we went. I personally experienced people giving me strange looks and whisper behind my back about my cultural background. For some time, my self-esteem was affected and I put up a defensive stance to dispel any suspicion that I am a member of a terrorist group. On a more proactive level, our intercultural relations may be analyzed in terms of Hofstede’s cultural dimensions. Hofstede identified several cultural dimensions that describe certain cultures which are helpful in understanding their people. He identified the cultural dimensions of power distance, uncertainty avoidance, societal orientation, social gender and time. Power distance refers to the differing levels of power individuals possess. High power distance typically results in a greater sphere of influence of superiors over subordinates. However, a high power distance does not necessarily ensure compliance or attitudinal agreement.7 Uncertainty avoidance describes the reaction of a group to that which is different or unfamiliar. Typically, cultures that are allowed more freedom to define themselves as individuals experience a lower level of uncertainty avoidance, whereas cultures that stress conformity tend to experience higher levels of uncertainty avoidance.8 Social orientation is the nature of collectivism or individualism of a group. Hofstede and Peterson assert that “collectivism implies a link between the individual’s self-identity and a collective, whereas individualism implies that the two are more fully distinct”9. This means that members of collectivist groups are more socially cohesive and rely on each other to strengthen them while individualist groups have members who would rather be self-reliant. The dimension of social gender refers to the masculinity or femininity of a group. This means that some cultures adopt gender-based values. Cultures tending towards masculine values are associated with more ego-based principles, whereas cultures tending towards feminine values more closely associate with social goals. Finally, the dimension of time orientation pertains to what people prioritize in terms of time. Hofstede and his associates studied the typologies of over 50 countries and evaluated cultural attitudes towards the various cultural dimensions proposed. The scores in each cultural dimension were tallied per country and the following table represents the scores garnered by Saudi Arabia and the United States of America: Hofstede’s Dimension of Culture Saudi Arabia United States of America Power Distance 80 40 Individualism 38 91 Uncertainty Avoidance 68 46 Masculinity 52 62 Table 1. Comparison of Hofstede Scores of Saudi Arabia and USA10 *There were no scores for Saudi Arabia on the dimension of time orientation, but the US scored 29 on this. From the table, Saudi Arabia scores much higher than the United States in power distance. This means that in the Arabian culture, hierarchy of power is very much acknowledged. People are expected to give due respect to our superiors and there is no equality amongst the people. This is reflected in the dominion of the royal family and the harsh punishments imposed by the government on people who do not abide by the law, that it can be likened to a dictatorship. However, it is normal for us, Arabs to adhere to many rules, whether they are written or unwritten, accept hierarchies, follow protocol, be obedient and conforming. 11 On the other hand, the United States advocates democracy and equality for all, which reflects a low power distance between leaders and members. Based on the low score on Individualism, Saudi Arabia is more of a collectivistic society. This is manifested by our being clannish, as family is of paramount importance to us. Loyalty to family takes precedence over work or friends. 12 That is one reason why the suicide bombers in the 9/11 terrorist attacks agreed to do the despicable task of bombing US establishments at the risk of their own lives. They were doing it for their country and ultimately, for their own families. On the other hand, US scored very high on this cultural dimension, and this shows that they are a very individualistic culture. Independence is highly valued and when children become adults, are encouraged to live on their own, apart from their families. Hence, they are not dependent on anyone and are expected to rely on their own selves without bothering others. On the dimension of uncertainty avoidance, the Arab culture scored 68 which means that we have a high preference for avoiding uncertainty. We have rigid codes of belief and feel safe with all the rules set around us to follow. We do not tolerate unorthodox behavior and ideas. 13 US scores much lower on this dimension meaning Americans can nonchalantly accept uncertainty and are not uncomfortable with not knowing what will happen next as they can find it interesting and exciting to discover. Finally, on the dimension of masculinity, Saudi Arabia scored average with 52 which may seem surprising. This reflects that we belong to a masculine society that values decisiveness, assertiveness, equity, competition and performance. Conflicts are resolved by fighting it out. 14 At the same time, we incorporate feminine values such as solidarity, emotional displays, relationships among people and resolution of conflicts by compromise. 15 The comparison of cultural dimension scores of Saudi Arabia and the United States show that they have very different cultures, thus the likeliness of their people clashing. Up to now, the US is still sore at Arabian nations for the 9/11 bombings along with the other wars they have waged, risking the lives of so many American soldiers. Although it currently seems peaceful between the two countries, a lingering animosity is still palpable. It is just currently, they maintain harmony by avoiding the issue altogether and both countries stand independently from each other. Personally, as a foreign Arab student, I believe that although our culture can be prohibitive to its people, some have left the country to gain knowledge and skills to bring back home. I am one example, as I am gaining my degree in a foreign land but intend to also serve my country when I am done with school. For now, I have been integrated in an outside culture, I know that deep inside, I will always be first and foremost, an Arab who is open to living and learning with people from cultures other than mine. Being in a foreign land, I take advantage of all the opportunities in imbibing new cultures from everyone I meet. At the same time, I take the opportunity to share my own. In merging contributions from various cultures and understanding people from where they are coming from, much good can come out. It serves more people in an increasingly globalized world because their individual differences are acknowledged, accepted and respected instead of rejected. Also, commonalities between cultures are valued and serve as bonds that bring people together. I believe that is how world peace and harmony can start off. I am proud to contribute my fair share to that as an educated man from Saudi Arabia. Bibliography Adler, P., Beyond Cultural Identity: Reflections on Multiculturalism, http://www.mediate.com/pfriendly.cfm?id=968 (Accessed April 4, 2012) Gannon, M.J. & Pillai, R.,Understanding Global Cultures, Sage Publications, Inc., 2010. Hofstede, G., Cultures and Organizations: Intercultural cooperation and it’s importance for survival –software of the mind. London: McGraw- Hill/HarperCollins, 1994. Hofstede, G. Cultures and organizations: software of the mind. London: McGraw-Hill, 1997 Hofstede G. & Peterson, M.,‘National Values and Organizational Practices’, in N. Ashkanasy et al., (Eds.), Handbook of Organizational Culture, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2000. Hofstede, G., “What about the Arab World”, http://geert-hofstede.com/arab-world- egiqkwlblysa.html (Accessed, April 10, 2012) Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd edition Oxford, England: Clarendon Press, 1989. Read More