How Cultures Vary: The Work of Geert Hofstede

Summarized by

Ronnie Littlejohn, Belmont University

1) Uncertainty Avoidance

Cultures vary according to how comfortable people feel towards ambiguity and disorder. Cultures which rank low feel much more comfortable with the unknown, with fewer rules and limits. Cultures ranking high in uncertainty avoidance prefer formal rules, tend to have many laws, censorship, less liberty of expression and ideas. The high uncertainty avoidance cultures produce people who have a lot of anxiety when in contact with low uncertainty avoidance cultures and persons produced by them.

2) Power Distance

Cultures vary also according to the extent to which power is distributed unequally and usually in hierarchy. People in high power distance cultures are more comfortable and can tolerate a larger status differential between people. They tend to accept "their place" and are not trying to drive to another position in the power structure. They feel that happiness and satisfaction is found in finding your place. Low power distance cultures tend to produce people who value equality of treatment and regard, who tend to think of hierarchies as unnatural and undesirable.

3) Masculinity-Femininity

Cultures vary according to their tendency to have very distinct role and social expectations along gender lines. Hofstede called "male" cultures those which had well formulated and highly rigid presumptions about males and females; whereas he called "female" cultures those which tend not to make sharp divisions of role or function along gender lines.

4) Individualism-Collectivism

Cultures vary according to the degree to which they value self-reliance and independence, and whether one considers the effect of one's action on the group or family, or only upon himself/herself. High individualist cultures stress an independent self, choosing one's own goals even when not compatible with the group or one's interdependencies. They have a strong sense of autonomy and assertiveness. Tend to have small family and peer groups. Driven by their own personal values and attitudes.

Low individualist (High Collective) cultures tend to have persons who regard themselves as interdependent on others, they want their goals and beliefs to be acceptable to the group, they don't want to stand out. They have a strong sense of conformity and loyalty. Tend to have large networks of people in their friend and family circle. Driven by the norm, what's appropriate to the group

5) Values Dynamism

Cultures vary according to the central set of values which project their ideal person, define success and happiness, guide their economic and social interactions.