Lesson 7. Selecting cultural patterns

As you remember there are a number of cultural pattern typologies that have been compiled by scholars from various disciplines. In almost all cases, the goal was to discern patterns that would help identify and understand dissimilar cultural values. Clearly, there is some degree of overlap among the different classification systems, but each also has its own merits. For obvious reasons, we have selected cultural pattern typologies that are most often seen in the work of intercultural communication scholars. Thus, the remainder of this chapter presents a comprehensive examination of the following seven value taxonomies.

1. Kohls’ list of Values Americans Live By;

2. Hofstede’s set of Value Dimensions;

3. Minkov’s Monumentalism versus Flexhumility;

4. The Kluckhohn and Strodtbeck classification of Value Orientations;

5. The GLOBE Study;

6. Hall’s categorization of High-Context and Low-Context Orientations;

7. Ting-Toomey’s explanation and application of Face and Facework.

As you go through these different systems, two assumptions should be apparent. First, values presented in cultural patterns are points lying along a continuum rather than polar opposites. The rationale is simple—cultural differences are usually a matter of degree. Second, there is a great deal of duplication and commonality between the different cultural patterns. In fact, many of the patterns discussed here are also part of other taxonomies. This will become evident as you read through the different value classifications.

Hofstede’s set of Value Dimensions, Minkov’s Monumentalism versus Flexhumility and the Kluckhohn and Strodtbeck classification of Value Orientations were considered earlier. Let’s define the rest.

Kohls’ “the values americans live by”

Attempting to provide an overall classification for U.S. values is challenging due to the nation’s diverse, multiethnic population. This problem is acknowledged by Charon’s statement: “Listing American values is a difficult task because there are so many exceptions and contradictions.” However, he adds, “On a general level, Americans do share a value system” [13]. Kim points out that “There are similar characteristics that all Americans share, regardless of their age, race, gender, or ethnicity” [14].

Professor Kohls spent much of his life working to improve cross-cultural understanding. After living in Korea, he returned to the United States and began conducting cultural workshops for the Peace Corps. He also spent time at the U.S. Information Agency (USIA) as Director of Training. Kohls authored The Values Americans Live By, a 1980s monograph, intended to help expatriates adjust to living in the United States, and it remains widely available on the Internet. Although written nearly 30 years ago, the thirteen values Kohl ascribed to Americans (see Table 1) continue to provide an accurate characterization of the dominant U.S. culture. Each value is discussed individually.

Table 1. Kohls’ American Values Comparison [16].

US VALUES FOREIGN COUNTERPART VALUES

Personal Control over the Environment 1 Fate

Change 2 Tradition

Time & Its Control 3 Human Interaction

Equality 4 Hierarchy/Rank/Status

Individualism/Privacy 5 Group’s Welfare

Self-Help 6 Birthright Inheritance

Competition 7 Cooperation

Future Orientation 8 Past Orientation

Action/Work Orientation 9 “Being” Orientation

Informality 10 Formality

Directness/Openness/Honesty 11 Indirectness/Ritual/“Face”

Practicality/Efficiency 12 Idealism

Materialism/Acquisitiveness 13 Spiritualism/Detachment

Source: © Cengage Learning 2013